Fabolous - Make Me Better ft. Ne-Yo

What this video is

Released May 15, 2007 as the third single from Fabolous's fourth album From Nothin' to Somethin' on Def Jam Recordings, 'Make Me Better' arrived at a pivotal moment in mid-2000s hip-hop when Timbaland's production dominance was reshaping both rap and R&B. Co-written by Fabolous, Ne-Yo, and Timbaland, the track samples Egyptian pop artist Sherine's 'Al Sa'ban Aleh,' reflecting the era's growing incorporation of…

Why it matters

A landmark rap-R&B crossover single that exemplifies the mid-2000s model of pairing hard-edged Brooklyn lyricism with melodic R&B hooks, 'Make Me Better' remains Fabolous's second-highest charting song as a lead artist. Its Timbaland production and Ne-Yo feature represent the peak of the era's…