Born to Jazz loving parents in the Bed Stuy section of Brooklyn N.Y.,
Fabs introduction to pop culture came courtesy of a name check on the pop group Blondies 1980s smash hit, Rapture. FAB 5 FREDDY told me everybodys fly.
That line was Fabs calling card and introduction to the world of pop culture. He initially exploded on the scene in the early eighties as one of the first Graffiti artist to exhibit his paintings internationally. Along with close friends and contemporaries, Futura 2000, Keith Haring, and Jean Michele Basquiat, Fab quickly used those opportunities and connections to explore all facets of creative expression. Linking up with budding filmmaker Charlie Ahearn, Fab came up with the idea that eventually became the cult classic and first film on Hip-hop culture, WILD STYLE, which he also produced, stars in and composed all the original music for.
Moving away from painting in the late eighties, Fab wanted to reach a broader audience so he decided to expand on his experiences from Wild Style and direct music videos. His first assignment was the song My Philosophy for Hip-hop legend KRS-ONE. Fab would go on to direct over 75 videos and commercials for artist like Queen Latifah, Shabba Ranks, Nas, Snoop Doggy Dog and companies like Pepsi. One music video Fab directed, Road to The Riches for hip hop masters Kool G-Rap & Polo led to him becoming associate producer of the hit Warner Bros. feature film, New Jack City.
But shortly after settling in behind the camera, MTV asked him to host a show called YO! MTV Raps, which immediately becomes the highest rated show on the network and blasts Hip Hop culture into the living rooms of mainstream America and those on several continents and countries around the world including, Europe, most of Africa, Brazil and Japan.
Nearly ten years later Fab departed MTV to embark on business ventures including a brief stint as the head of independent label Pallas records where he signed and executive produced the million selling Chicago rap group, Crucial Conflict.
While continuing to satisfy his insatiable passion for directing film, Fab, considered one of hip hops architects and pioneers has lectured at schools and universities around the world, published numerous articles for various publications including Vibe, XXL, The New York Times Magazine and written a book on hip hop slang entitled Fresh Fly Flavor, words and phrases of the hip hop generation. He currently serves as co executive producer of Vh-1s annual Hip Hop Honors television spectacular, is developing several feature films including one dealing with American hip hop meeting Brazilian hip hop with Katia Lund (City Of God) while finishing his memoir, Life On Beat. Fab also served as a production consultant on the hit film, "AMERICAN GANGSTER" starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe and appears in a juicy cameo in the movie with Denzel.
Fab I've been knowing you for damn near 20 years and I can't get no love on yo page!!! where my picture at homie... LOL. U and Roy in the studio working on that Crucial Conflict Album.. HAY in the middle of the Barn... Smokin On...
Online!
