Breathe (Fabolous song) explained

"Breathe" is a song by American rapper Fabolous, released as the lead single from third studio album, Real Talk (2004). The song reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 2004 and became a top-40 hit in several countries worldwide.

Background

The song utilizes a sample of Supertramp's "Crime of the Century", with the latter taking 100 percent of the track's publishing. The single acquired two remixes; one featuring 50 Cent and Mase; another with Noztra. The music video features cameos by The Game, Just Blaze, J. D. Williams, and DJ Clue.

Legacy

Pitchfork Media named "Breathe" the number nine song of the year for 2004, stating "'Breathe' sounds like the track Fab was always meant to rap over." The song was also listed by Pitchfork Media as the 288th best song of the 2000s. Complex named it number 60 on best songs of the decade.^[1]

The Beastie Boys performed their song "So What'cha Want" over the beat of "Breathe" on Late Show with David Letterman in 2006.

Track listings

US 12-inch single^[2]

A1. "Breathe" (amended album version) – 5:20

A2. "Breathe" (instrumental) – 5:19

B1. "Breathe" (explicit album version) – 5:20

B2. "Breathe" (acappella) – 4:48

Australian CD single^[3]

1. "Breathe" (radio edit)
2. "It's Gangsta" (explicit version)
3. "Breathe" (explicit version)

UK and European CD single^{[4] [5]}

1. "Breathe" (radio edit)
2. "It's Gangsta" (explicit version)

UK 12-inch single^[6]

A1. "Breathe" (explicit version)

A2. "Breathe" (amended version)

B1. "Breathe" (instrumental version)

B2. "It's Gangsta" (explicit version)

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[8]	72
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[9]	76

Chart (2005)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10]	86
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[11]	100

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	August 30, 2004			[12]
Australia	November 22, 2004	CD		[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: The 100 Best Songs of The Complex Decade. Complex. April 18, 2012. Complex. February 7, 2017.
2. Breathe. Fabolous. 2004. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Atlantic Records, Desert Storm Records. 0-67616.
3. Breathe. Fabolous. 2004. Australian CD single liner notes. Atlantic Records, Desert Storm Records. 7567933682.
4. Breathe. Fabolous. 2004. UK CD single liner notes. Atlantic Records, Desert Storm Records. AT0189CD, 7567-93365-2.
5. Breathe. Fabolous. 2004. European CD single liner notes. Atlantic Records, Desert Storm Records. 7567-93365-5.
6. Breathe. Fabolous. 2004. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Atlantic Records, Desert Storm Records. AT 0189 T, 7567-93367-0.
7. R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30. Radio & Records. 1585. 34. December 10, 2004.
8. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2004. Billboard. subscription. March 27, 2021.
9. 2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 12. 51. 29. December 17, 2004.
10. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2005. Billboard. subscription. March 27, 2021.
11. 2005 The Year in Charts: Top Rhythmic Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 13. 50. 34. December 16, 2005.
12. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1570. 17. August 27, 2004. July 3, 2022.
13. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 22nd November 2004. ARIA. 28. November 22, 2004. dead. http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222437/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20041220-0000/ISSUE769.pdf. February 22, 2008. March 5, 2023.