Happy Birthday, Fabolous!

Some call him a legend, some call him their favorite rapper. No matter how you refer to him, there's not too many artists who embody Brooklyn like Fabolous. The rapper turns 38 years old today (Nov. 18).

Fabolous is significant because of how he bridges gritty, late '90s New York sounds with a sensibility that aligns with current trends -- whether it comes to fashion or appropriating pop culture tidbits into hits (see "Cuffing Season"). After coming up on the DJ Clue mixtapes, the MC came through with a versatile line of tracks that prove to be some of the most memorable for East Coast twentysomethings. There's the B-Boy grit of "Young'n (Holla Back)" and his soothingly romantic collaboration with Tamia, "Into You." There were multiple songs in between; Fabolous totaled six hits throughout his 2001-05 heyday.

His hits continued throughout the decade, albeit not as consistently as during his peak. Fab's catchphrase-making skills were still sharp, though. The There Is No Competition series and its slew of quotables kept his street credentials intact going into this decade.

These days, Fabolous is more of a symbol of New York hip-hop than a reliable star. "Lituation" from The Young OG Project was a decent hit, but it's far from ubiquitous. However, he's still a welcomed presence whenever he takes a stage. This holiday season, he's out to keep fans satisfied. Summertime Shootout: A Mixtape Love Story will arrive on Thanksgiving Day and The Young OG Project 2 on Christmas Day.

Watch Fabolous' "Make Me Better" Feat. Ne-Yo

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