Fabolous: 'Jay-Z, B.I.G. are role models'

Fabolous has credited Jay-Z and the late Notorious B.I.G. as being the two most influential artists on his music career.

The Brooklyn rapper has said that by having the hip-hop superstars come from the same New York area proved to him that success was possible.

The 32-year-old told Voice Online: "My life role models are a lot of people. Of course family members - my mum, my uncle and people like that. My uncle gave me great advice on things; good talks. And my mum raised me and set the standard for me in terms of discipline, respect and how to carry myself.

"Other inspirations are sports figures such as Michael Jordan. Musically, there have been a lot of people, from Biggie Smalls to Jay-Z. Those two stand out for me because I got to see two people come from where I come from and be successful. That was influential because when you don't see people from where you come from achieving big things, it can be like, 'Nobody around here does anything'."

He added: "So those people helped to show that you can be from where we're from and achieve great things."

Earlier this year, Fabolous revealed that he looks to Jay-Z for inspiration.