| Mistah F.A.B. | |
|---|---|
In Stanford, California in July 2008. |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stanley Petey Cox |
| Born | January 23, 1982 North Oakland, California, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper, Singer-Songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Faeva Afta/Thizz/Atlantic |
| Associated acts | Paul Wall, Too Short, J Meast, Mac Dre, Dem Hoodstarz, The Pack, Turf Talk, Traxamillion, BQ, E-40, Language Art, Keak da Sneak, Yukmouth, Spice 1 |
| Website | www.myspace.com/mistahfab |
Stanley Petey Cox (born January 23, 1982), better known by his stage name Mistah F.A.B. (abbreviation for Faeva Afta Bread), is an American rapper. He attended Oakland Technical High School and Emery High School. He is signed to Bay Area rap legend Mac Dre's label, Thizz Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Mistah F.A.B. is an acronym for "Money Is Something to Always Have — FaEva Afta Bread."[1]
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Mistah F.A.B. was born and raised in Oakland, California and raised by his grandmother and his mother, who sometimes worked four jobs to support him while his father was incarcerated. When F.A.B. was 12, his father died of complications of AIDS. Around that time, F.A.B. started writing and rapping. In high school F.A.B. competed in freestyle rap battles.[1]
Mistah F.A.B. began his musical rise in the Bay Area as a young artist signed to Straight Hits Entertainment, where he dropped his debut album, Nig-Latin in 2003. Although this album garnered some success and recognition, the majority of FAB's recognition came from his skills as a battle rapper. Mistah F.A.B. has battled many MCs in the hip-hop world, including Clyde Carson of The Team, Killa Keise, Lil Al, Spade, and Locksmith of The Frontline. FAB is most known for his freestyle battles with Jin of Ruff Ryders and Royce Da 5'9. He also has the uncanny ability to freestyle for long stretches of time. Specifically, he is known for being able to rap "off the top of the dome" anywhere at anytime, as evidenced when he did a freestyle from his hospital bed after a car accident. In 2004, Mistah F.A.B. signed to Mac Dre's Thizz Entertainment. Under Thizz ENT, Fab blossomed as a front runner in the Bay Area's Hyphy movement. With songs like "Super Sic Wit It," "N.E.W. Oakland," and "Kicked Out The Club," FAB's Son of a Pimp album was an instant success around the Bay Area.
FAB's first single release was the hit "Ghost Ride It," in 2006. FAB's video for the song became a subject of criticism due to its directions on how to ghost ride, as well as its use of the Ghostbusters' car without the express approval from Columbia Pictures, which owned the rights to the Ghostbusters franchise and car. The video was eventually pulled from Viacom's MTV for its alleged copyright violation. The song references actor Patrick Swayze, lead star in the 1990 film Ghost, sparking internet references to ghost riding as "Ghost ride. Go crazy. Who's that driving? Patrick Swayze!"
In 2007, FAB released Da Baydestrian. Because of a feud with Bay Area radio station KMEL, FAB was not able to promote Da Baydestrian like his prior albums, but it still garnered success. Because of FAB's local success and his reputation as a freestyle battle rapper, major record labels began to call. FAB signed with Atlantic Records in 2007, but has yet to release his Da Yellow Bus Rydah album.
In October 2011, Mistah F.A.B. was featured in a mobile battle rap game, Battle Rap Stars by Jump Shot Media.[2]