DJ Nabs

Last updated
DJ Nabs
Birth nameYoutha Anthony Fowler
Born (1969-01-04) January 4, 1969 (age 55)
Durham, North Carolina, United States
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
Years active1988–present
Labels Columbia Records
Website djnabs.com

Youtha Anthony Fowler (born January 4, 1969), better known by his stage name DJ Nabs, is an American DJ and record producer. He has been part of the Atlanta hip hop scene since the late 1980s and worked with hip hop artists such as Kris Kross, Da Brat, Bow Wow, Xscape, Speech, and Trick Daddy, hosted several radio shows, and toured with Mariah Carey, Ciara and Michael Jackson. He published his compilation album In the Lab with DJ Nabs - The Live Album in 1998. Nabs founded the MAD DJ Academy, and hosted and co-created Ultimate Mad DJ Contest, an event showcasing emerging DJs. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Life and career

Nabs was born on January 4, 1969, in Durham, North Carolina, United States, and grew up in the Walltown Neighborhood. [4] [5] He purchased the Rapper's Delight at the age of ten. [2] He spun records at parties in 10th grade and later joined the marching band at his college, North Carolina Central University. Nabs came to Atlanta in 1988, [6] when the local rap scene began to flourish. He started as a mix show DJ on WVEE and the resident DJ at Club Kaya's Old School Sundays. [5] [7]

While attending Morris Brown College, Nabs worked with a trio called Secret Society. Two of the group's members, Speech and Headliner, would eventually create Arrested Development, and Nabs would remix their song Tennessee . Through their manager, Michael Mauldin, Nabs met Mauldin's son Jermaine Dupri. He became So So Def's exclusive tour DJ for Da Brat, Bow Wow, Xscape, and Dupri. Nabs was the tour DJ and music director for Dupri's protégés, Kris Kross. It was on their global tour in the 1990s, during the apex of their popularity, that he opened for Michael Jackson. [1] [8] [9]

After touring with Kris Kross for four years, Nabs made it to Hot 97.5 as the second afternoon drive personality in the station's history, hosting a popular show, "In The Lab With DJ Nabs". During this time, he introduced Ludacris to the music industry. He worked for Hot 97.5 (which would become Hot 107.9) in the mid-2000s as well. [1] [2] [10]

Nabs released In The Lab With DJ Nabs - The Live Album for Columbia Records in 1998. [10] [11] It featured a then-unknown Ludacris, as well as live appearances by Big Daddy Kane, Wyclef Jean and Kurtis Blow. Nabs toured with Mariah Carey and Ciara. [5]

He produced the remix for "In The Wind" (2002) by Trick Daddy, Cee-Lo, and Big Boi. Nabs released The Product & The Power mixtape compilation (2005), which was followed by Product & The Power II (2008). [12] [13] The film Diary of a Mad DJ was made in 2010 as a prelude to a documentary about Nabs' life, American DJ Story. [14]

Nabs founded the MAD DJ Academy and hosted Ultimate Mad DJ Contest, an event showcasing emerging DJs, co-created by him and Michael Mauldin. [3] He toured as a solo DJ to Taiwan, France, Turkey, Greece, and Romania. [1] [5] [15] In the meantime, he started working on Boom 102.9 in Atlanta. [16]

Discography

Compilation album

In the Lab with DJ Nabs - The Live Album

In the Lab with DJ Nabs - The Live Album [17]
Compilation album
ReleasedNovember 3, 1998 (1998-11-03)
RecordedAugust 1997 – April 1998
Genre Hip hop
Length1:06:17
Label Columbia Records
Producer
  • DJ Nabs
  • Carl-So-Lowe
  • Jermaine Dupri
No.TitleLength
1."Intro" (feat. Nicole Harris, Shanik Mincie)1:36
2."I Know You Got Soul" (feat. Eric B. & Rakim)2:52
3."I Ain't No Joke" (feat. Eric B. & Rakim)3:00
4."Time" (feat. Jermaine Dupri)2:31
5."Ghetto Red Hot" (feat. Super Cat)4:01
6."The Bridge" (feat. MC Shan)2:09
7."Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz" (feat. Biz Markie)4:51
8."Nuff Respect Due/Good Times/Raw/Set It off/Got to Be Real/Warm It Up" (feat. Chic, Big Daddy Kane, Cheryl Lynn)6:10
9."Pee Wee's Dance"3:28
10."Party" (feat. MC Breed, Chris Kelly [18] )2:17
11."Nobody Beats the Biz" (feat. Biz Markie)4:15
12."Is It You" (feat. Jagged Edge & Ludacris)4:05
13."We Trying to Stay Alive/Unwind Yourself/Rapper's Delight/The Bridge Is" (feat. The Sugarhill Gang, Wyclef Jean)7:13
14."Friends" (feat. Whodini)2:52
15."I Got It Made" (feat. Special Ed)2:45
16."Check the Rhime" (feat. A Tribe Called Quest)2:16
17."Thank You"1:03
18."Intro" (feat. Kurtis Blow)3:49
19."DJ Nabs Scratch Blow" (feat. Kurtis Blow)5:04
Total length:01:06:17

Mixtapes

YearTitle
2005The Product & The Power
2008Product & The Power II

Producer

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbumArtist
Hot 100Hip HopRap
"Japanese Eyes"
"Billionaire Dreams"		1997--- Severe Damage [19] DJ Hurricane
"In da Wind (Ride out mix)"200270 [20] 28 [21] 16 [22] Thug Holiday [23] Trick Daddy

Composer

TitleYearAlbumArtist
"D.J. Nabs Break"1993 Da Bomb [24] Kris Kross
"Koochie Kuters"1996 So So Def Bass All-Stars [25] various
"Japanese Eyes"
"Billionaire Dreams"		1997 Severe Damage [26] DJ Hurricane
"Last of a Dying Breed"
"I Do It For Hip Hop"
(as Youtha Fowler)		2008 Theater of the Mind [27] Ludacris

Remixes

TitleYearArtist
"Tennessee (Back to The Roots Remix)" [28] 1992 Arrested Development
"Everyday Thang In Da Hood (DJ Nabs Remix)" [29] 1994 Ghetto Mafia
"Ice Box (DJ Nabs Remix)" [30] 2006 Omarion

Turntables

YearSongAlbumArtist
1994"Funkdafied (DJ Club Mix - Rated R)" [31] - Da Brat
1995"Stop to Think"
"Reality"		Wild Seed--Wild Flower [32] Dionne Farris
1996"Hopelessly"Speech [33] Speech
2000"Get Um Crunk"Dirty South [34] Rasheeda
2006"Ultimate Satisfaction" Release Therapy [35] Ludacris
2010"I Do It All Night" Battle Of The Sexes [36] Ludacris

Guest appearances

YearArtistTitleAlbum
1996 Speech HopelesslyHeart & Soul

Recognition

DJ Nabs was honored at "Respect the DJ", an Atlanta event that showcased DJ's of various genres from Hip Hop to Top 40. [37]

He was featured as a notable pioneer in southern rap music in the 2014 "VH1 Rock Docs ATL: The Untold Story of Atlanta's Rise in the Rap Game." [2]

Personal life

Nabs married in 2009. He participates in amateur boxing tournaments for charity. [1] [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da Brat</span> American rapper (born 1974)

Shawntae Harris-Dupart, better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, she began her career in 1992 and signed with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings two years later to release her debut studio album, Funkdafied (1994). Receiving platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it became the first album by a female hip hop solo act to do so.

Michael Thomas Mauldin is an American media proprietor, talent manager and record executive. He is former President of Columbia Records' Black Music Division and former Senior Vice President of Columbia Records Group, and is the father of So So Def Recordings label founder Jermaine Dupri. He founded Mauldin Brand AC/VC in 2019, and launched the Black American Music Association in 2018, a 501(c)(6) trade association for which he also serves as chairman. He is also the Managing Director for 2475 AtVille Entertainment, the owner of Air Control Music publishing, and the founder of Scream Nation, a concert tour launched in 2013 as a joint venture with Live Nation, which is known for its "Scream Tour."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermaine Dupri</span> American record producer and rapper (born 1972)

Jermaine Dupri Mauldin is an American record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ, record executive. Raised in Atlanta as the son of Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin, he began his career in music production at the age of nine. He discovered the teen hip hop duo Kris Kross in 1991. Dupri wrote and produced their breakout 1992 single "Jump," which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the 23rd most successful song of that decade. He established his own record label, So So Def Recordings in a joint venture with Columbia the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Kross</span> American hip hop duo

Kris Kross was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So So Def Recordings</span> US record label

So So Def Recordings is an American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia, founded by producer Jermaine Dupri in 1993. Specializing in Southern hip hop, R&B, and bass music, the label has managed artists such as Bow Wow, Kris Kross, Xscape, TLC, Usher, Dem Franchize Boyz, Anthony Hamilton, Jagged Edge, and The Ghost Town DJs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump (Kris Kross song)</span> 1992 single by Kris Kross

"Jump" is a song by American hip hop duo Kris Kross, released on February 6, 1992 by Ruffhouse and Columbia, as their first single from their debut studio album, Totally Krossed Out (1992). It was produced by Jermaine Dupri and Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo, and achieved international success, topping charts in Switzerland, Australia, and the United States. Additionally, it was the third-best-selling song of 1992 in the United States, with sales of 2,079,000 physical copies that year. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Rich Murray and filmed in Atlanta. Billboard magazine featured "Jump" in their lists of "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s" in 2019 and "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlanta hip hop</span> Music genre

Although the music scene of Atlanta is rich and varied, the city's production of hip-hop music has been especially noteworthy, acclaimed, and commercially successful. In 2009, The New York Times called Atlanta "hip-hop's center of gravity", and the city is home to many famous hip hop, R&B, and neo soul musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip Hop Honors</span> Annual event that airs on VH1

The Hip Hop Honors is an annual event that airs on VH1. The television special honors old school and golden age hip hop rappers and contributors for their long-term influence and importance in the history of hip hop culture. It features live performances by most of the honorees along with new artists who have been influenced by them in tribute. The show is taped at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan, New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to Atlanta</span> 2002 single by Jermaine Dupri featuring Ludacris

"Welcome to Atlanta" is a 2002 hip hop song by Jermaine Dupri featuring Ludacris. It was released in 2002 as the second single released from Dupri's 2001 album Instructions and also appeared as a hidden track on Ludacris' second album, Word of Mouf. The song praises Dupri and Ludacris's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. It samples "Five Minutes Of Funk" by Whodini, as well as "Do It Baby" by The Miracles.

<i>Funkdafied</i> 1994 studio album by Da Brat

Funkdafied is the debut album by American rapper Da Brat. It was released on June 28, 1994, and sold over one million copies, making her the first solo female rapper to go Platinum. Funkdafied debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200, and topped the Rap Charts and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was preceded by the first single, "Funkdafied", released on May 13, 1994. The single went Platinum in August and then the album went Platinum in January 1995.

<i>Totally Krossed Out</i> 1992 studio album by Kris Kross

Totally Krossed Out is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Kris Kross. It was produced and largely written by Jermaine Dupri and Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo and released on March 31, 1992, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. After developing a musical concept for the duo, Dupri and Nicolo spent two years writing and producing the album.

<i>Da Bomb</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Kris Kross

Da Bomb is the second studio album by the hip-hop duo Kris Kross, released a year after their first album Totally Krossed Out. The group tried a hardcore/gangsta look to fit with the new style of hip-hop. The album was not as successful as Totally Krossed Out, as many fans were not impressed with the new look and style and the use of the word "nigga" and reviews were mixed. The line "I drop bombs like Hiroshima" from "Da Bomb" was edited out of the album's Japanese release and the artwork was completely changed. The album was certified platinum in the US. Three singles were released, "Alright", "I'm Real" and "Da Bomb".

<i>Best of Kris Kross Remixed 92 94 96</i> 1996 remix album by Kris Kross

Best Of Kris Kross Remixed '92 '94 '96 is a remix/compilation album by the hip hop duo Kris Kross. The album has remixes of every hit single from their albums Totally Krossed Out, Da Bomb and Young, Rich & Dangerous apart from "I Missed the Bus" and includes a previously unreleased track entitled "Raide". Guests appearances were made by Redman, Super Cat and DJ Clark Kent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Missed the Bus</span> 1992 single by Kris Kross

"I Missed the Bus" is a song by American hip-hop duo Kris Kross. It was released in September 1992 as the third single from their debut album, Totally Krossed Out (1992).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Shame (Kris Kross song)</span> 1993 single by Kris Kross

"It's a Shame" is the fourth and final single by American hip hop duo Kris Kross, released in January 1993 by Ruffhouse and Columbia from their debut album, Totally Krossed Out (1992). It is the least successful of the four singles, as it did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. However, it did manage to reach number 11 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart and number 55 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, as well as number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was written and produced by Jermaine Dupri, and its music video was directed by Rich Murray. The group performed "It's a Shame" on numerous television shows, such as A Different World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alright (Kris Kross song)</span> 1993 single by Kris Kross featuring Super Cat

"Alright" is the first single released from American hip hop duo Kris Kross' second album, Da Bomb (1993). The song was produced and written by Jermaine Dupri and features reggae star, Super Cat on the chorus. Sampling Slave's "Just a Touch of Love", it was officially released on July 13, 1993 by Ruffhouse and Columbia, as the lead single from the album. It became the album's biggest hit, peaking at #1 in Portugal, and at numbers 19 and 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. It was also the duo's third single to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. "Alright" also contains a diss to rival group, Da Youngstas, who had been critical of Kris Kross due to their success on the Billboard charts and the fact that they did not write their lyrics. Chris Smith AKA "Daddy Mac" responded with the lyric "I didn't come out wack I came out right, unlike them moles who choose to pass da mic", an obvious reference to Da Youngstas single "Pass da Mic".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Live and Die for Hip Hop</span> 1996 single by Kris Kross featuring Aaliyah, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, and Mr. Black

"Live and Die For Hip Hop" is a song by American rap duo Kris Kross, released as the second and final single from their third album, Young, Rich & Dangerous (1996). It is their ninth and final single overall, and features rap stars Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Mr. Black and background vocals by R&B star Aaliyah. The song contains a sample of "Baby Come to Me" by Regina Belle. It was not as successful as "Tonite's tha Night", however it did gain some success, making it to #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #11 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. A remix was made featuring DJ Clark Kent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermaine Dupri videography</span>

American record producer Jermaine Dupri has released several music videos, working with various directors. He has also been featured in several music videos, making cameo appearances for other prominent recording artists. Dupri also presented the Lifetime talent show, The Rap Game making it his television production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It 2 You</span> 1994 single by Da Brat

"Give It 2 You" is the third and final single released from Da Brat's debut album, Funkdafied, the first album from a female rapper to go platinum.

<i>A Great Day in Hip Hop</i> 1998 photograph by Gordon Parks

A Great Day in Hip Hop is a black-and-white photograph of over 200 hip hop artists and producers in Harlem, New York, taken by photographer Gordon Parks on September 29, 1998. It was commissioned by XXL magazine, as a homage to Art Kane's A Great Day in Harlem, photographed in 1958.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Rodney Carmichael (30 April 2015). "Atlanta radio goes three times dope". Creative Loafing. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rodney Ho (23 February 2015). "Former Hot jock DJ Nabs joins afternoons on Boom 102.9 Feb. 23". AJC. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Scream Nation Hosts Ultimate Mad DJ Contest Finale Today". Broadway World. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "DJ Nabs @ CINEBOWL & GRILLE". Bandsintown.com. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "DJ Nabs gives inside scoop on career, producers and top artists". Rolling Out. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  6. 1 2 Adams, Ken (5 March 2016). "Old Skool Pugilist". The A-List. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "The A-Team". Spin. August 1998. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  8. ↑ "Kris Krossb DJ Nabs Discusses the Life & Death of Chris Kelly [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]". Hot 107.9. 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  9. ↑ Tamara Palmer (29 September 2014). "Outkast's #ATLast Hometown Blowout Brings Erykah Badu, Bun B and More to Atlanta". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  10. 1 2 Jake Paine (2 May 2013). "DJ Nabs Believes Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith Will Not React Publicly To Death Of Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly". HipHopDX. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  11. ↑ Wilbekin, Emil (February 1999). "Last night a DJ saved my life!". Vibe. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  12. ↑ "DJ Nabs - Interview". The Bee Shine. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  13. ↑ "Product & The Power II". Dat Piff. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  14. ↑ maddjtv (27 January 2013). "DJ Nabs - Diary of a Mad DJ (2010)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  15. ↑ Jonell Whitt (29 February 2016). "DJ Nabs hosts birthday bash for Ed Lover in Atlanta". Rolling Out. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  16. ↑ Rodney Ho (22 June 2015). "20 years of Hot: Emperor Searcy a steady, likable presence". AJC. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  17. ↑ "DJ Nabs, In the Lab with DJ Nabs - The Live Album". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  18. ↑ "DJ Nabs / Chris Kelly / MC Breed Party". All Music. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  19. ↑ "DJ Hurricane, Severe Damage". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  20. ↑ "Trick Daddy - Chart History". Billboard Hot 100. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  21. ↑ "Trick Daddy - Chart History". Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  22. ↑ "Trick Daddy - Chart History". Billboard Hot Rap Songs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  23. ↑ "Trick Daddy, Thug Holiday". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  24. ↑ "Kris Kross, Da Bomb". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  25. ↑ "Various Artists, So So Def Bass All-Stars". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "DJ Hurricane, Severe Damage". Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  27. ↑ "Ludacris, Theater of the Mind". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  28. ↑ "Arrested Development – Tennessee (Remixes)". Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  29. ↑ "Ghetto Mafia – Everyday Thang In Da Hood". Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  30. ↑ "Ice Box (DJ Nabs Remix) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  31. ↑ "Da Brat with DJ Nabs Warmup Scratch Workout at Club Masquerade in Turkey". YouTube. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  32. ↑ "Dionne Farris – Wild Seed - Wild Flower". Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  33. ↑ "Speech - Hopelessly feat. DJ Nabs - Heart & Soul". YouTube. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  34. ↑ "Rasheeda – Dirty South". Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  35. ↑ "Ludacris – Release Therapy". Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  36. ↑ "Ludacris – Battle Of The Sexes". Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  37. ↑ Kev Ross (20 February 2015). "DJ Nabs Takes on Afternoons on Boom 102.9 FM". Radio Facts. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.