Early life
He was born in Tallahassee, Florida to entrepreneur Muslim parents, Shasheem and Aliyah Najm.[4] At the age of ten, Faheem reworked his bedroom into a small studio with a keyboard, beat machine and four-track recorder, and began composing music. Faheem later graduated from James S. Rickards High School.[4] Prior to becoming a solo singer, Faheem was part of the Tallahassee rap group Nappy Headz, allowing T-Pain to start his career as a rapper.[5] In 2002, he founded his own label, Hard & B, and soon caught the spotlight as a solo artist when his song "I'm Fucked Up", a reworked version of Akon's "Locked Up", gained popularity in the region. Akon noticed the song and signed T-Pain to his newly formed Konvict Music record label.[5]
Career
2005: Rappa Ternt Sanga
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T-Pain released his solo debut title single at the age of 20, "I'm Sprung", in August 2005. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, ("rapper turned singer") was released on November 6, 2005, under Konvict Muzik. Hit singles "I'm Sprung" and "I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper)" which sold over 5 million ringtones spawned official remixes titled "I'm Sprung 2". He is featured on E-40's 2006 summer hit single U and Dat along with Kandi Girl, which was produced by Lil Jon. One of his leftover tracks is "You And Me", the original version of the song "I Can't Wait" (Feat. Akon)
2007: Epiphany
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In 2007, his second album Epiphany came out, with the singles "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" featuring Yung Joc and "Bartender" featuring Akon. Both singles were in the Top 5. Epiphany debuted at the top spot of the US Billboard 200 chart,[6] and has sold about 819,000 units as of May 2008.[7] being the first number-one album of his career.[8] During that time, he appeared on the singles "I'm a Flirt" remix by R. Kelly with T.I., "Outta My System" by Bow Wow, "Baby Don't Go" by Fabolous, "Shawty" by Plies, "Kiss Kiss" by Chris Brown, "Low" by Flo Rida, and "Good Life" by Kanye West.
2008
So far, T-Pain and his label mate Tay Dizm have been featured on Dolla's "Who the Fuck is That?" and 2 Pistols' "She Got It". T-Pain has also appeared on Rick Ross's "The Boss", Lil Mama's "Shawty Get Loose" with Chris Brown, Mariah Carey's "Migrate", and DJ Khaled's "Go Hard" with Kanye West in DJ Khaled's new album, "We Global". He has featured songs on the Step Up 2 The Streets soundtrack which included "Church", "Low" (with Flo Rida) and wrote "Lives in the Da Club" by Sophia Fresh featuring Jay Lyriq.
He recently finished working with Ciara, He produced some of her New Album "Fantasy Ride" due out December 2008. He also produced her first single called "Go Girl", he is also featured on the song as well. The single will be released in early September.[9]
He was featured on MTV Cribs, on episode 2 of season 16.
For the 2008 BET Awards, the most nominations were awarded to T-Pain, at five primarily for his work in other artists' tracks.[10]
He collaborated with record producer Timbaland for the producer's second studio album Shock Value II, on the track 'Talk'. The song leaked to the internet on September 5th 2008.
2008: Thr33 Ringz
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Main article: Thr33 Ringz
His third album Thr33 Ringz is to be released October 28, 2008,[11] over a month after its initial release date of September 30, also his birthday. "Can't Believe It" featuring Lil Wayne is the first single; the video premiered on BET on August 26.[12] The song "Snap Yo Fingers" is a sequel of his previous song "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')". Guest appearances on Ringz include Busta Rhymes, Bow Wow, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, DJ Khaled, Chris Brown and Kanye West.[13] Pr33 Ringz is the introduction mixtape for the album.
Discography
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Awards and nominations
- BET Awards
- 2008, Best Collaboration ("Kiss Kiss") with Chris Brown (Nominated)[10]
- 2008, Best Collaboration ("Low") with Flo Rida [Nominated][10]
- 2008, Viewer's Choice ("Kiss Kiss") with Chris Brown (Nominated)[10]
- 2008, Best Collaboration ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Won)[14]
- 2008, Video of the Year ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Nominated)[10]
- Grammy Awards
- 2008, Album of the Year (Graduation) [Nominated]
- 2008, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group ("Bartender") with Akon [Nominated]
- 2008, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Good Life") With Kanye West [Nominated]
- 2008, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Kiss Kiss") with Chris Brown [Nominated]
- 2008, Best Rap Song ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Won)
- Ozone Music Awards
- 2008, TJ's DJ's Hustler of the Year [Nominated]
- 2008, Club Banger of the Year ("I'm So Hood") with DJ Khaled, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, & Plies [Nominated]
- 2008, Club Banger of the Year ("Low") with Flo Rida [Nominated]
- 2008, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("She Got It") with 2 Pistols & Tay Dizm [Nominated]
- 2008, Best R&B Artist [Nominated]
- 2008, Best TJ's DJ's Tastemaker Award (Won)
- 2007, Best Male R&B Artist (Won)
- 2007, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Shawty") with Plies (Won)
- 2007: Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" with Yung Joc [Nominated]
- MTV Video Music Award
- 2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)
- 2008, Best Male Video ("Low") with Flo Rida [Nominated]
- 2007, Monster Single of the Year ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin)"), featuring Yung Joc [Nominated]
- Teen Choice Awards
- 2008, Choice Hook-Up: Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain, "Low"
- 2008, Choice Music: R&B Artist - T-Pain
- 2008, Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track - Lil Mama featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain, "Shawty Get Loose" (winner)
- Vibe Awards
- 2007, Best R&B Artist [Nominated]
- 2007, Best Collaboration ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin)") with Yung Joc [Nominated]
- 2007, Song of the Year ("Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin)") with Yung Joc (Won)
