Najm was born in Tallahassee, Florida on September 30, 1985.[1] His stage name is short for "Tallahassee Pain" and was chosen because of the hardships he experienced while living there. He is a Muslim.[2]
Career
2004-2006: Early career and Rappa Ternt Sanga
T-Pain joined the rap group Nappy Headz in 2004 and later recorded "I'm Fucked Up", a cover version of Akon's single "Locked Up". Akon heard the song and immediately signed T-Pain to Konvict Muzik, his label. After being discovered, T-Pain began singing instead of rapping. T-Pain subsequently recorded and released his debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, on December 6, 2005.[3] The album reached number thirty-three on the Billboard 200, and has since been certified Gold by the RIAA, for reaching sales of 500,000 units.
The album was preceded by the lead single, "I'm Sprung", which was released in August of 2005 and reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The second single, "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)", featuring Mike Jones, was released in December of 2005 and reached number five on the Hot 100 and number ten on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The third and final single from the album, "Studio Luv", was released in October of 2006 but failed to chart.
2007-2008: Epiphany
T-Pain performing at the 2007 Hot 97 Summer Jam concert.In mid-2006, T-Pain began work on his sophomore album, now with the Zomba Label Group as well as Konvict Muzik and Jive Records.
T-Pain's sophomore album Epiphany, was released on June 5, 2007. The album sold 171,000 records in its first week, reaching number one on the Billboard 200.[4] The record has since sold 819,000 records in the United States but has yet to be certified by the RIAA.[5]
The album was preceded by the lead single "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" featuring Yung Joc in February of 2007. The single reached number one on both the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming his first single to top charts. The album's second single, "Bartender", featuring Akon was released in June of 2007 and reached number five on the Hot 100 and number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The third and final single from the album, "Church", was released in October of 2007 but failed to chart in the United States.
Speaking in May of 2007 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis, of the award-winning Blues & Soul about his reason for naming his second album 'Epiphany', T-Pain stated: "One of the two dictionary meanings of epiphany is 'a sudden moment of insight or revelation'. And to me the title 'Epiphany' signifies the moment I realized that, to make the best music I can, I needed to just go in the studio and be myself, and not concentrate so hard on following other people's formulas."[6]
While promoting his second album, T-Pain made guest appearances on multiple songs by other artists. T-Pain was featured on "I'm a Flirt" (remix) by R. Kelly with T.I., "Outta My System" by Bow Wow, "Baby Don't Go" by Fabolous, "I'm So Hood" by DJ Khaled with many other rappers, "Shawty" by Plies, "Kiss Kiss" by Chris Brown, "Low" by Flo Rida, and "Good Life" by Kanye West.[7] In two weeks in late 2007, T-Pain was featured on four top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart[8]
"Good Life" with Kanye West later won the BET Award for Best Collaboration and was nominated in several other categories.[9][10] In 2008, the single won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.[11]
2007-2009: Thr33 Ringz
In 2007, T-Pain began work on his third album with Rocco Valdes, Akon and Lil Wayne. The album was also his first under his Nappy Boy Entertainment.
T-Pain's third studio album, Thr33 Ringz, was released on November 11, 2008.[12] The album sold 168,000 records in its first week, reaching number four on the Billboard 200. A mixtape, Pr33 Ringz, was released in early 2008 before the album.
The album was preceded by three singles. Its lead single, "Can't Believe It", featuring Lil Wayne, was released in July of 2008. The single reached number seven on the Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album's second single, "Chopped 'N' Skrewed", featuring Ludacris, was released in September of 2008. The single reached number twenty-seven on the Hot 100 and number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The third and final single from the album, "Freeze", featuring Chris Brown, was released in October of 2008 and reached number thirty-eight on the Hot 100 and number thirty-nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Guest appearances on Thr33 Ringz included T.I., Lil Wayne, Ludacris, DJ Khaled, Ciara, Chris Brown and Kanye West among others.[13] Pr33 Ringz was the introduction mixtape for the album.
T-Pain at General Motors Place concert in Vancouver in January 2009.In 2008, T-Pain continued to appear on numerous rap singles, such as "She Got It" by 2 Pistols, "Go Girl" by Ciara, "The Boss" by Rick Ross, "Cash Flow" by Ace Hood, "Shawty Get Loose" by Lil Mama, "One More Drink" by Ludacris, and "Go Hard" by DJ Khaled with Kanye West. T-Pain and Ludacris collaborated to perform "Chopped 'N' Skrewed" and "One More Drink" on American late-night television programs Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC in November of 2008 and on NBC's Saturday Night Live in the same month. T-Pain appeared again on SNL in February of 2009 (on the episode hosted by Bradley Cooper with musical guest TV on the Radio) in the SNL Digital Short. T-Pain also supported the album in 2009 with his Thr33 Ringz Tour, which included sold out shows across North America. T-Pain and rapper Lil Wayne formed the duo T-Wayne in 2008.[14] The duo released a self-titled mixtape in late 2008; it charted on the Billboard 200 in January 2009.[15] Their debut album was going to be released in 2009, but never was.[16]
2009-present: rEVOLVEr
In May of 2009, T-Pain made an appearance on a live-action episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force as Frylock, where he made his debut as an actor.[17] T-Pain has recently recorded 3 tracks: Special Guest (with Sophia Fresh), This Evening, and It's So Easy (with Sophia Fresh). All of the 3 tracks are produced by Tha Bizness. This Evening was then edited and redone as Sophia Fresh's single, This Instant. In June of 2009, T-Pain collaborated with country-pop singer Taylor Swift for the CMT Music Awards, and performed "Thug Story", a parody of Swift's hit single "Love Story".[18]
In an interview with MTV, T-Pain announced that he would release his fourth studio album in November of 2009 and that its title was UBER.[19] He stated that although he originally wanted to release the album in the summer of 2010, his label had pushed the release forward. Regardless of these announcements, the album wasn't released in 2009.
An iPhone application called "I Am T-Pain" features an auto tuner, allowing fans to record and modify their own voice to accompany an instrumental collection of T-Pain's music. It was released in September of 2009.[20] In July of 2009, T-Pain endorsed the 2009 T-Pain Killa Cam-Pain, a grassroots effort to help him become elected as president of Florida State University.[21]
In November of 2009, T-Pain released the first single from his fourth studio album, "Take Your Shirt Off".[22] The single only managed to reach number eighty on the Hot 100, and was later dubbed a promotional single. Later, in February of 2010, he released the official lead single from his fourth studio album, "Reverse Cowgirl", featuring Young Jeezy.[23] He later release an updated version of the song excluding Young Jeezy's verse and adding a new bridge. The single reached number seventy-five on the Hot 100 and number sixty-four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming a mild hit. The single has since been dubbed a promotional single. T-Pain was later featured on the "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" single in February of 2010, which reached number two on the Hot 100.
In the fall of 2009, T-Pain began work with Cartoon Network's Adult Swim to produce and star in a television animated musical special based on Freaknik. Freaknik: The Musical aired on March 7, 2010.[24]
In June of 2010, T-Pain confirmed that his fourth studio album rEVOLVEr has been completed and mastered, but that it will not be released until album sales increase.[25] He elaborated upon this in August of 2010, stating that the album probably wouldn't be released until 2011. T-Pain's first feature film, Lottery Ticket, will be released on August 20, 2010.
Musical style
He has called his style of music "Hard & B".[26] T-Pain uses Auto-Tune, a pitch-correcting audio processor, for his vocals. Music critic Andy Kellman compared T-Pain's singing style to that of Cher in her 1998 hit "Believe", in which Cher used voice enhancements.[27] In response to Jay-Z's single "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)", T-Pain stated that he would still use the method.[19] T-Pain's use of Auto-Tune has been cited as an influence on other urban artists' works, including Snoop Dogg's single "Sexual Eruption",[28] Lil Wayne's single "Lollipop",[29] and Kanye West's album 808s & Heartbreak.[30] In November 2008, T-Pain demanded credit from other artists who used Auto-Tune.[31]
Personal life
Mug shot of T-Pain taken in November 2007.T-Pain has been married to Amber since 2003. His song "I'm Sprung" is dedicated to her. They have three children: daughter Lyriq, son Muziq, and son Kaydnz Kodah (born May 2009).[32][33]
He had two noted legal troubles in 2007. When he refused to cut his set short at Radio One's Spring Fest Concert in Miami on the evening of April 28, 2007, police presence escalated backstage. He became agitated after concert officials stopped his performance of "Buy You a Drink". Police chased T-Pain and his entourage out of the premises and detained them.[34] After a June 2007 concert of T-Pain's, Tallahassee police issued a warrant for his arrest over a suspended driver's license. T-Pain turned himself into the Leon County Jail on November 2, 2007.[35]
On March 27, 2009, T-Pain was involved in a golf cart accident, the same day he was due for a music video shoot for Lil' Kim's Download song. He suffered cuts, bruises, and four missing teeth and had emergency dental work done. He returned to performing on March 29, 2009.[36] The accident was later referenced in the music video of Glasses Malone's song "Sun Come Up".
Discography
Main article: T-Pain discography
Rappa Ternt Sanga (2005)
Epiphany (2007)
Thr33 Ringz (2008)
rEVOLVEr (2010/2011)
Mixtape
Pr33 Ringz (2008)
Soundtracks
Freaknik: The Musical Soundtrack (2010)
Filmography
Freaknik: The Musical (2010)
Lottery Ticket (2010)
Awards and nominations
American Music Awards
2007, Favorite Male Artist [Nominated].[37]
BET Awards
2009, Best Male R&B Artist (Nominated)
2009, Best Collaboration ("Blame It") with Jamie Foxx (Won)
2009, Viewer's Choice ("Can't Believe It") with Lil Wayne (Nominated)
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)[9]
2008, Video of the Year ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Nominated)[10]
BET Hip Hop Awards[citation needed]
2009. Producer of the Year (Nominated)
2008, Best Ringtone ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)
2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Won)
2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)
2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Nominated)
2008, Track of the Year ("Good Life") with Kanye West (Nominated)
BMI Urban Awards[citation needed]
Song Writer Of The Year (Won)
Producer Of The Year shared with J.R. Rotem & Kanye West (Won)
Grammy Awards
2010, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("I'm on a Boat") with The Lonely Island [Nominated]
2010, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or a Group ("Blame It") with Jamie Foxx [Won]
2010, Best R&B Song ("Blame It") with Jamie Foxx [Nominated]
2010, Best Contemporary Album Thr33 Ringz [Nominated]
2009, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Got Money") with Lil Wayne (Nominated)
2009, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)
2009, Best Rap Song ("Low") with Flo Rida (Nominated)
2008, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group ("Bartender") with Akon (Nominated)
2008, Best Rap/Sung Rap Song ("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)[11]
Ozone Music Awards[citation needed]
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)
2006, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper) (Remix)" with Twista, Pimp C, Paul Wall, R. Kelly, MJG, and Too Short) (Won)
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)
People's Choice Awards
2008, Favorite Hip-Hop Song, "Low" with Flo Rida [Won]
2008, Favorite Hip-Hop Song, "Good Life" with Kanye West [Nominated]
Teen Choice Awards
2008, Choice Hook-Up: Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain, "Low" (Nominated)
2008, Choice Music: R&B Artist - T-Pain (Nominated)
2008, Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track - Lil Mama featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain, "Shawty Get Loose" (Won)
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)
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