FAM-LAY
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel Johnson, also known as Fam-Lay (born May 28, 1974) is an American rapper from Norfolk
, Virginia
. Signed to The Neptunes
' Star Trak
imprint, he first gained notoriety through several guest appearances he made on various Neptunes-related projects, including the Clipse
's debut album Lord Willin'
in 2002. He also later appeared on The Neptunes' compilation The Neptunes Present... Clones
in 2003, which featured his song "Rock 'N Roll". Then in 2004 he had the single and video "Rock N Roll (Remix)" featuring Lil Flip. It gained heavy rotation on MTV Jams.
He planned to release his debut album, titled Traintogo, in March 2004, through a joint venture between Star Trak and Def Jam Recordings
. Unlike most Neptunes-helmed projects, where Pharrell and Chad Hugo
handle almost all of the production duties, Traintogo was unique in that it was to feature production from outside producers, including Lil' Jon and David Banner
. After suffering several delays, Traintogo failed to meet its scheduled release date. To further complicate matters, Fam-Lay's deal with Def Jam fell through, and he was dropped from the label in July 2004. Four years later, Traintogo still has yet to be released.
He is currently wrapping up on the second iteration of Traintogo, re-e seen titled Dat Missile. The time has allowed him to re-tweak Dat Missile into a well crafted and solid effort, with 70% of the production done by The Neptunes, additional beats by DJ Toomp
and guest spots from Three 6 Mafia
, David Banner
and the Clipse
. Dat Missile was set to hit stores on October 25 via Star Trak/Interscope Records, but has yet to be released. Its first single is "Da Beeper Song", produced by The Neptunes and the video was shot by Hype Williams.
Fam-Lay can be seen in a cameo shot in 2005's "Can I Have It Like That" video with Pharrell. Also he can be seen sitting in front of a car in the Clipse's music video "Mr. Me Too", as well as briefly standing in front of Pusha T
on the video of the remix to N*E*R*D's "Everyone Nose
" (also featuring Kanye West
and Lupe Fiasco
). In 2005 Fam-Lay cut off his signature cornrows, now sporting a low cut. Da Beeper Record Video shot by Hype Williams. The second single is called "No Time 4 No's" with Pharrell and Clipse which is actually from Fam-Lay's unreleased album Traintogo.
In 2011 Fam-lay started his comeback by releasing 'Whats my name' & 'Look into my eyes' both produced by new up & coming London born producer Nana Rogues http://soundcloud.com/nana-rogues
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Signed to The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
' Star Trak
Star Trak Entertainment
Star Trak Entertainment is a record label, founded by record producers Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams in 2001. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Interscope Records.-Beginnings:...
imprint, he first gained notoriety through several guest appearances he made on various Neptunes-related projects, including the Clipse
Clipse
Clipse is a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based hip hop duo. Formed in 1992 by brothers Malice and Pusha T , the group is heavily affiliated with production team The Neptunes and signed to Star Trak Entertainment.- Exclusive Audio Footage :The Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx, New...
's debut album Lord Willin'
Lord Willin'
Lord Willin' is the debut album from Virginia hip-hop duo Clipse. Released in late 2002, the album was certified gold by the RIAA on October 1, 2002...
in 2002. He also later appeared on The Neptunes' compilation The Neptunes Present... Clones
The Neptunes Present... Clones
Clones is an album of songs from various artists, produced by the production duo of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, known as The Neptunes. It was released on August 19, 2003, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart...
in 2003, which featured his song "Rock 'N Roll". Then in 2004 he had the single and video "Rock N Roll (Remix)" featuring Lil Flip. It gained heavy rotation on MTV Jams.
He planned to release his debut album, titled Traintogo, in March 2004, through a joint venture between Star Trak and Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
. Unlike most Neptunes-helmed projects, where Pharrell and Chad Hugo
Chad Hugo
Charles Edward Hugo is an American musician and record producer. He is best known as one half of the music production and writing duo The Neptunes and as a member of the funk/rock band N.E.R.D. He is a saxophonist, pianist and guitarist...
handle almost all of the production duties, Traintogo was unique in that it was to feature production from outside producers, including Lil' Jon and David Banner
David Banner
Lavell Crump , better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000...
. After suffering several delays, Traintogo failed to meet its scheduled release date. To further complicate matters, Fam-Lay's deal with Def Jam fell through, and he was dropped from the label in July 2004. Four years later, Traintogo still has yet to be released.
He is currently wrapping up on the second iteration of Traintogo, re-e seen titled Dat Missile. The time has allowed him to re-tweak Dat Missile into a well crafted and solid effort, with 70% of the production done by The Neptunes, additional beats by DJ Toomp
DJ Toomp
Aldrin Davis, better known as DJ Toomp, is an award-winning American record producer and DJ who works in Atlanta, Georgia. In the late 1980s he was MC Shy-D's DJ and went on tour with him and the 2 Live Crew as they performed at various venues across the country with other artists such as N.W.A...
and guest spots from Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
, David Banner
David Banner
Lavell Crump , better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000...
and the Clipse
Clipse
Clipse is a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based hip hop duo. Formed in 1992 by brothers Malice and Pusha T , the group is heavily affiliated with production team The Neptunes and signed to Star Trak Entertainment.- Exclusive Audio Footage :The Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx, New...
. Dat Missile was set to hit stores on October 25 via Star Trak/Interscope Records, but has yet to be released. Its first single is "Da Beeper Song", produced by The Neptunes and the video was shot by Hype Williams.
Fam-Lay can be seen in a cameo shot in 2005's "Can I Have It Like That" video with Pharrell. Also he can be seen sitting in front of a car in the Clipse's music video "Mr. Me Too", as well as briefly standing in front of Pusha T
Pusha T
Terrence Thornton better known by his stage name Pusha T is an American recording artist, occasional actor and one half of the critically acclaimed hip hop duo Clipse. He is also the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Re-Up Records along with his brother Gene 'Malice' Thornton...
on the video of the remix to N*E*R*D's "Everyone Nose
Everyone Nose
"Everyone Nose " is the first single by American band N.E.R.D from their third studio album Seeing Sounds. The song was accompanied by music video and was directed by Diane Martel...
" (also featuring Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
). In 2005 Fam-Lay cut off his signature cornrows, now sporting a low cut. Da Beeper Record Video shot by Hype Williams. The second single is called "No Time 4 No's" with Pharrell and Clipse which is actually from Fam-Lay's unreleased album Traintogo.
In 2011 Fam-lay started his comeback by releasing 'Whats my name' & 'Look into my eyes' both produced by new up & coming London born producer Nana Rogues http://soundcloud.com/nana-rogues
Mixtape
- 2004: Star Trak Presents: Fam-Lay (Hosted by DJ Cipha Sounds)
- 2005: Grand Theft Ghetto (Shark City) (Hosted by DJ Noe Dout)http://www.datpiff.com/images/tapes/Grand-Theft-Ghetto-mid2395-large.jpg
- 2008: DirtyWay
Singles
(Chart positions from Billboard magazine)| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B/Hip-Hop | UK Singles UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Git Busy" | - | - | - | Traintogo |
| 2006 | "Da Beeper Record" | - | - | - | Dat Missile |
| 2007 | "No Time 4 No's" (features Pharrell & The Clipse) | - | - | - | Traintogo |
Guest appearances
(All songs feature Fam-Lay unless otherwise noted)| 2002 | Clipse Clipse Clipse is a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based hip hop duo. Formed in 1992 by brothers Malice and Pusha T , the group is heavily affiliated with production team The Neptunes and signed to Star Trak Entertainment.- Exclusive Audio Footage :The Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx, New... |
"Fam-Lay Freestyle" | Lord Willin' Lord Willin' Lord Willin' is the debut album from Virginia hip-hop duo Clipse. Released in late 2002, the album was certified gold by the RIAA on October 1, 2002... |
| 2003 | The Neptunes The Neptunes The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s... |
"Rock 'N Roll" | The Neptunes Present... Clones The Neptunes Present... Clones Clones is an album of songs from various artists, produced by the production duo of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, known as The Neptunes. It was released on August 19, 2003, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart... |
| The Neptunes The Neptunes The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s... |
"Rock 'N Roll" (Remix) (features Lil' Flip Lil' Flip Wesley Eric Weston, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil' Flip, is a American multi-platinum hiphop artist best known for his singles Sunshine, "Game Over" and Rollin on 20's from the 2 Fast 2 Furious Soundtrack.... ) |
The Neptunes Present... Clones The Neptunes Present... Clones Clones is an album of songs from various artists, produced by the production duo of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, known as The Neptunes. It was released on August 19, 2003, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart... |
|
| Philly's Most Wanted | "Cocoa Leaf (No Relief)" (features Clipse Clipse Clipse is a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based hip hop duo. Formed in 1992 by brothers Malice and Pusha T , the group is heavily affiliated with production team The Neptunes and signed to Star Trak Entertainment.- Exclusive Audio Footage :The Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx, New... and Rosco P. Coldchain) |
— | |
| 2007 | David Banner David Banner Lavell Crump , better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000... |
"Toes Down" (features B.G) | The Best Thing Smokin' Vol. 2 |