T-Pain

From his tangled dreads and streetwise fashion sense to his breathtaking harmonies and insightful lyrics, T-Pain is not your usual R&B singer, and fans all over the world are starting to take notice. We asked this former rapper and Tallahassee, Florida native to answer a few questions from our users, and he was happy to oblige.

1. Kay-P from Wolverhampton, England asked:
Who inspired you to join the music industry and who were your childhood heroes?

T-Pain: My Dad & Kevin The Caveman.

2. Yaz from Edmonton E-Town asked:
U look like a person that would be rapping. How do u feel singing and not rapping? Does it make u feel better when u sing?

T-Pain: Yes...It's all music.

3. Essence Daniels from Montgomery, Alabama asked:
Was "I'm Sprung" wrote for someone special... if yes, who?

T-Pain: Yes...my wife.

4. Krystal Lewis from Chicago, IL asked:
How long have you been in your marriage?

T-Pain: Three Years.

5. Deshawn Hardy from Detroit asked:
Was that your wife in ya "I'm Sprung" video?

T-Pain: No.

6. AJ Benavides from Frankfort, KY asked:
T-Pain, how long have you known Akon and are you two related?

T-Pain: Two Years. No, we are not related.

7. Terrell from NYC asked:
Were you really in love wit a stripper?

T-Pain: No...The song is about my friend's first experience at a strip club.

8. Jennifer Whitaker from Warsaw, IN asked:
Who are your favorite artists to listen to out there today?

T-Pain: Andre 3000, Cee Lo, Devin Da Dude.

9. Mya from Atlanta asked:
Which female artist would u like to work with?

T-Pain: Macy Gray, Tracy Chapman.

10. Alexis from Tampa, Fl asked:
What is your favorite sport?

T-Pain: LOL....Strip Poker.

11. Kesha from kinder asked:
When will you be making a video for "In Love Wit a Stripper"?

T-Pain: It's already done.

12. Tee-Tee from Tallahassee asked:
Do you ever plan on ever moving back to T-Town? (Tallahassee)

T-Pain: Yes!

T-Pain's album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, is available now in the ARTISTdirect Store.

Tallahassee-based MC and vocalist T-Pain (born Faheem Najm) came up in a rap group called Nappy Headz but went pro as a solo R&B artist after he recorded "I'm F**ked Up," a personal take on Akon's Top Ten hit "Locked Up." Akon heard the track and took T-Pain under his wing with a contract on his Jive-distributed Konvict Muzik label. Produced and written mostly by T-Pain, Rappa Ternt Sanga was released in December 2005, led by the Top 20 single "I'm Sprung." Epiphany followed in June 2007. His 2008 album, Thr33 Ringz, was conceptually based around the circus and played up the singer's "Ringleader Man" persona. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide