Net Worth Ranker
What Is Fabolous’ Net Worth?
Fabolous, born John David Jackson on November 18, 1977, in Brooklyn, New York, has cultivated a prominent presence in the hip-hop scene. As of 2024, his estimated net worth stands at $8 million. This financial standing is primarily a result of his successful music career, encompassing album sales, touring, and various business ventures.
Fabolous’ Early Career and Musical Beginnings
Growing up in the Breevort Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Fabolous’ initial foray into music began during his senior year of high school. Initially known as Fabolous Sport, a nod to Ralph Lauren’s Polo Sport line, he eventually shortened his moniker. An accidental misspelling of “Fabulous” during a freestyle stuck, solidifying his stage name.
His career gained momentum when DJ Clue, a record producer and music executive, invited him to perform live on his radio show. This led to a signing with Desert Storm Records, DJ Clue’s label. Appearances on various DJ Clue mixtapes, coupled with collaborations with Roc-A-Fella artists, helped secure a distribution deal between Fabolous, Desert Storm, and Elektra Records. It’s important to note that specific financial details regarding these early contracts are not publicly available.
Fabolous’ Album Releases and Commercial Success
Fabolous’ debut studio album, “Ghetto Fabolous,” was released in September 2001. It debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 140,000 copies in its first week. While precise figures for royalties and profits from this album are not public, this initial success set the stage for his future endeavors.
His second album, “Street Dreams,” followed on March 4, 2003. The singles “Into You” featuring Tamia and “Can’t Let You Go” both reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Precise sales figures for individual tracks aren’t readily available, but the album contributed significantly to his rising profile.
On November 4, 2003, Fabolous released “More Street Dream, Pt. 2: The Mixtape” through Elektra, featuring remixes and tracks not on “Street Dreams.” This mixtape also served as an outlet for his crew, the Triangle Offense, featuring Paul Cain and Joe Budden. Specific revenue generated from this mixtape is not publicly accessible.
His third album, “Real Talk,” was released in November 2004 and featured collaborations with artists such as Mike Shorey, Young Jeezy, and Pharrell. While detailed sales data and royalty splits for this album are not public knowledge, collaborations with established artists likely boosted its commercial performance.
In 2004, he received a Grammy Award nomination for his collaboration with Christina Milian on the “Dip It Low” remix. Although he did not win, the nomination boosted his reputation and likely increased demand for his music and performances. The financial impact of this nomination is difficult to quantify precisely.
After leaving Atlantic Records in 2006, Fabolous signed with Def Jam Recordings as part of a trade that sent Musiq to Atlantic. His first album with Def Jam, “From Nothin’ to Somethin’,” released in June 2007, hit #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in July 2007. This certification indicates sales of at least 500,000 copies, contributing substantially to his earnings, although precise figures are not available.
“From Nothin’ to Somethin'” featured collaborations with artists such as Lil Wayne, Remy Ma, Swizz Beatz, and Ne-Yo. Again, the specific financial arrangements of these collaborations remain private.
Fabolous’ fifth studio album, “Loso’s Way,” released in July 2009, was based on the film “Carlito’s Way” and featured artists such as The-Dream, Jeremih, and Keri Hilson. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, marking his first album to top the chart. The financial implications of topping the charts include increased album sales, streaming revenue, and performance fees, but precise figures are not available.
He then released the mixtape “There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service”, which was re-released as the EP “There is no Competition 2: The Grieving Music EP.” He also released “The S.O.U.L. Tape” in April 2011 and “There is No Competition 3: Death Comes in 3’s” in December 2011. Revenue from mixtapes can vary widely, and specific figures are generally not disclosed.
In 2014, he released “The Young OG Project.” Roc Nation announced that he had signed a management deal with them on the same day he announced the release date of the album. “The Young OG Project” debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200, selling 71,000 copies in its first week. The financial terms of his management deal with Roc Nation are not public information.
In 2016, Fabolous and Jadakiss announced a collaborative project. Their joint album, “Friday on Elm Street,” was released on November 24, 2017, and featured artists such as Future and French Montana. The revenue split between Fabolous and Jadakiss, as well as other financial details related to the album, are not publicly available.
In 2019, he released “Summertime Shootout 3: Coldest Summer Ever,” a follow-up to his mixtapes “Summertime Shootout” (2015) and “Summertime Shootout 2: The Level Up” (2016). As with mixtapes, exact revenue figures for these projects remain undisclosed.
Over his career, every official studio album has charted on the Billboard 200, reflecting his consistent presence in the music industry. However, charting success alone does not provide precise details of his financial gains.
Other Ventures Contributing to Fabolous’ Net Worth
In 2004, Fabolous expressed his intent to launch his own clothing line, resulting in the creation of Rich Yung Society in 2006. While the brand generated revenue, specific financial details about its profitability and contribution to his overall net worth are not publicly available.
Also in 2006, he established his own record label imprint, Street Family Records. Artists on the imprint included Freck Billionaire, Paul Cain, Broadway, and Red Café. As with his clothing line, precise financial data regarding Street Family Records is not public knowledge.
Personal Life and Legal Issues
Fabolous has two sons with his girlfriend, Emily Bustamante. His personal life has occasionally intersected with legal issues.
In January and March 2003, he was arrested for possessing an unlicensed gun in his car. His bodyguard later provided proof of ownership. The specific legal expenses and potential impact on his career arising from these arrests are not precisely quantifiable.
On October 17, 2006, Fabolous was shot in his right leg while leaving Justin’s restaurant. Following the shooting, he and his entourage were charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a defaced firearm. He was treated at a local hospital for his injury and released after eight days. Legal fees and lost income during this period would have affected his finances, though specific figures are not available.
On March 28, 2018, Fabolous was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly assaulting Bustamante. He was indicted by a grand jury in New Jersey on four felony charges of domestic assault on October 10, 2018, and reportedly accepted a plea deal in March 2019. The legal costs and potential reputational damage stemming from these charges would likely have affected his income and net worth, although the exact financial impact is not public.
Fabolous’s $8 million net worth reflects a successful career built upon album sales, hit singles, and various business ventures. While precise figures for many aspects of his earnings are not publicly available, his consistent presence on the Billboard charts and diversification into clothing and record labels have undoubtedly contributed to his financial success.
