Brooklyn MC with dexterous flow and hefty production values scored an impressive string of hits in the early-'00s.
Fabolous scored a bit hit, "Can't Deny It," in 2001, instantly establishing himself as a rising East Coast rap star, the song's combination of street-savvy toughness and pop-crossover appeal representative of the rapper himself. The Brooklyn rapper was one of the first East Coast MCs to embrace the bling mentality of the South, as well as the gangsta swagger of the West Coast, all the while incorporating a subtle undercurrent of pop-rap into his music. He was among the first of a new breed of New York City rappers, later to include 50 Cent, most notably, who were able to crossover well among multiple markets without losing street credential. ~ Jason Birchmeier