AR-AB | |
---|---|
Birth name | Abdul Ibrahim West |
Also known as | King AB, Top Goon of Philly, El Patron, The Goon |
Born | North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | May 11, 1982
Genres | Hip hop, gangsta rap, trap |
Occupation(s) | Rapper |
Years active | 2003–2018 |
Formerly of |
Abdul Ibrahim West (born May 11, 1982), [1] [2] better known by his stage name AR-AB (also referred to as King AB), is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a member of OBH (Original Block Hustlaz), the label and rap group he co-founded with fellow rapper Dark Lo. Complex named him one of "15 Unsigned Rappers Who Should Get a Deal After SXSW" in March 2013, the same year he turned himself in to authorities following legal trouble. OBH members have included: Dark Lo, Lik Moss, Shamoney "Da Wolf", p90 smooth, Breeze Begets, Pretty Flock, Skinny me, Newz, Lord Grimey, Kylledge, Kallie Ziltz, NoBrakes Bras, Young Mir, Wiz Lo & others. [3] [4]
Abdul West was born on May 11, 1982, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. West began his career as a battle rapper and went on to become a member of Cassidy's Larsiny Family, appearing as a featured artist on his mixtapes throughout 2007, namely 07-07-07 (Happy Birthday) [5] and Put Ya L In The Sky. [6] He continued working features for artists during this time until the release of his debut mixtape Welcome to Trap Street on May 1, 2008. [7]
In 2008, West and Cassidy appeared on the Cocaine City street DVD, where the two collaborated on "City of Dreams" alongside a young French Montana. [8] This would be Ab's first music video before concentrating on his solo career. He released his second mixtape I See Dead People on January 8, 2009, [9] and his third mixtape Allegheny AB on May 26, 2010. [10]
West began making waves following the release of his fourth mixtape Who Harder Than Me, released on February 13, 2011. [11] In 2012, West began working on his fifth mixtape Who Harder Than Me II, which was released on October 5, 2012. [12] The record included features from fellow Philadelphia rapper Freeway, and New York rapper and producer Swizz Beatz who had previously worked with Cassidy during the latter's stint with Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The collaboration, during which Swizz Beatz referred to Ab as "most important new artist in rap", prompted speculation whether he would be signed to his label. [13] [14]
The following year saw the release of his sixth mixtape MUD Musik on February 28, 2013. [15] This would be his last release before his latest round of legal trouble which saw West turning himself into authorities and incarcerated in March of that same year. [4] [16]
West grew up in North Philadelphia. [17] [18] In late 2010, West and Dark Lo formed their label and rap collective OBH (Original Block Hustlaz), which also includes his brother Lik Moss among other rappers.[ citation needed ] In 2012, West's grandmother died and his mother died the following month. He describes this as a traumatic moment in his life, having already lost an elder brother prior. [19] West is a practicing Muslim, who prays 5 times a day. [20]
West has been embroiled in a spate of legal issues throughout his career, and prior to his involvement in the music industry, including charges related to drug trafficking, possession, and violent crimes. According to interviews, he has served time in jail on four separate occasions prior to his most-recent 2013 sentencing related to crack cocaine. [21] West, along with eight others, has been indicted in connection with a drug trafficking group in North Philadelphia.
In 2005, West was one of three men wanted by police in connection to an April 15 shooting that left one man dead and two others injured. [22] [23] Prominent rapper Cassidy was the main suspect, with Ab and a third unidentified man being wanted as accomplices. In a December 3, 2008, interview with PhillyHeatTV, AR-Ab revealed he was found "not guilty", [24] having spent two years fighting the case. [25] Cassidy had surrendered to Philadelphia police on the afternoon of June 17, 2005. [26] The case took a turn when the primary witness withdrew his confession. On January 25, 2006, Cassidy was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime for his involvement in the shooting. He was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison plus probation, and was credited with the 7 months he had already served. [27] [28] He was released after serving 8 months in prison, and went on to relaunch the Larsiny Family which included then-member AR-Ab.
During an incident late-September 2011, West survived being shot ten times. A tweet dated September 24, 2011, showed a bandaged West lying in bed recuperating with the caption "10 shots couldn't stop me!!!" [29] [30] A previous Tweet confirmed he was in the hospital receiving treatment. [31] He is reported to have suffered two shots to the stomach, two to the hand, five to the glutes and one shot to the thigh. [32]
On April 13, 2013, media outlets reported on a tweet from rapper AR-Ab referring to a past crime which caught up to him. [16] "3 years ago I got caught up in a big drug trafficking raid, it just caught up to me. Now I gottta pay da price. I'm doing my final show tonite", claimed the tweet. [33] Speculations were abound whether he would be going to jail soon. [16] On April 26, videographer Gil Videos uploaded a video with Ab revealing he will be turning himself in to the authorities. [4] Following his prison sentence, music videos from AR-Ab and OBH members prominently featured the "Free AR-Ab" slogan, and urged fans to write to Abdul West while he's in prison. [1] [2] He was released on parole in November 2014, having served 18 months. [34] According to interviews, Ab was booked for charges related to crack cocaine and faced up to 3 years, which was hastened to 18 months through his participation in the boot camp program.[ citation needed ]
Drake referenced West on his song "Back to Back" where he says "I drove here in the Wraith playin' AR-Ab". West later appeared on VladTV in August 2015 saying that while he hasn't signed on to Drake's OVO Sound and sided with him saying he was disappointed in Mill's response.[ citation needed ] Mill responded on August 6 during a performance in Camden, New Jersey where he said "Fuck AR-Ab" and questioned his allegiance to an out-of-town rapper. West responded by releasing his own version of "Back to Back" freestyle on August 8 which dissed Mill and also contained violent lyrics where he threatened to unleash his "shooters" upon Mill. [35] [36] [37] In response, Meek's cousin Omelly released his own version of "Back to Back" freestyle which dissed AR-Ab and also contained violent lyrics. AR-Ab did another interview on VladTV where he said Mill was too scared to respond himself and Omelly was the "softest one on Dream Chasers". He also told that he won't respond to Omelly's diss because he's a "worker". [38] In January 2016, West revealed that he and Mill had reconciled. [39]
In October 2018, West, alongside eight others said to be members of a drug trafficking organization, were indicted on counts of distributing drugs in North Philadelphia. [40] His charges include a conspiracy to distribute, the possession, and the distribution of cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, and heroin. [41] The indictment identified West as the leader of the gang, and that the gang obtained high-end properties in Philadelphia to protect their supply. [40] On November 19, 2019, West was found guilty of several counts of conspiracy and distribution of crack cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine in the federal conspiracy case. On April 15, 2021, West was sentenced to 45 years in prison. [42]
Barry Adrian Reese, better known by his stage name Cassidy, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He first garnered attention for his freestyles and competitions as a battle rapper in the late 1990s, and formed the Philadelphia-based hip hop collective Larsiny Family by the end of the decade. American record producer Swizz Beatz discovered the group in 2000 and signed Cassidy to his newly-established label Full Surface Records, through a joint venture with J Records. He adopted a commercially-oriented approach for his 2003 debut single "Hotel" and its follow-up, "Get No Better" ; the former peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 while both preceded the release of his debut studio album, Split Personality (2004).
Dwight Equan Grant, better known by his stage name Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his association with Jay-Z and his label Roc-A-Fella Records, to which Grant signed in 1998 and became a flagship artist. His debut studio album, The Truth (2000) was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200. Along with his solo career, Grant was the de facto leader of the Philadelphia-based hip hop collective State Property, which he formed with Roc-A-Fella labelmates, and who debuted in 2002 with a namesake film in which Grant starred. The group released two well-received studio albums.
American rapper Lil Wayne has released thirteen studio albums, one collaborative album, three compilation albums, five extended plays, and twenty-nine mixtapes. Wayne made his album debut in 1999, with Tha Block Is Hot, which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. His later albums, Lights Out released in 2000, and 500 Degreez, released in 2002, attracted minor attention. In 2004, he released the first of his infamous Carter series, with Tha Carter. In 2005, Tha Carter II was released. In 2006, Wayne released a collaborative album with rapper Birdman, titled Like Father, Like Son. In 2008, Wayne released his best-selling album so far, titled Tha Carter III. Certified triple platinum by the RIAA, Tha Carter III won the Best Rap Album award at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Lil Wayne founded record label Young Money Entertainment and released a collaborative album featuring rappers signed to the label, We Are Young Money, in 2009, followed by his debut rock music album Rebirth in 2010. While serving an 8-month prison sentence in New York he released another album entitled I Am Not a Human Being, in September 2010. The next addition to Tha Carter series, Tha Carter IV, was released on August 29, 2011. In 2013, Wayne released a sequel to his 2010 album I Am Not a Human Being, titled I Am Not a Human Being II, followed by two compilation albums with his labels, Rich Gang (2013), and Young Money: Rise of an Empire (2014). After years of legal battles, his 12th studio album Tha Carter V was released on September 28, 2018. Lil Wayne released another album, Funeral, on January 31, 2020.
Larsiny is an American hip hop group from North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rapper Cassidy formed the group in the late 1990s with hometown natives Akbar and Shiz Lansky. They first signed with the Ruff Ryders Entertainment-subsidiary label TD Entertainment by 2000, and were subsequently featured on the song "Ryde Or Die Boyz" from the Ruff Ryders Ryde or Die Vol. 2 (2000) compilation album. AR-Ab later joined the group in 2005, while Lansky was featured the song "I Pray" from Cassidy's B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story (2010) album.
Peter Cory Pankey, Jr., better known by his stage name Cory Gunz, is an American rapper from the Bronx, New York City. He is best known for his guest appearance on Lil Wayne's 2010 single "6 Foot 7 Foot," which peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and received septuple platinum certification by the RIAA. He signed with Wayne's Young Money Entertainment, a then-imprint of Cash Money and Universal Republic Records in August of that year, although he has released no major solo albums with the label. He starred and was the subject of the documentary series Son of a Gun in 2011, which was presented by his mentor and manager, American comedian Nick Cannon.
American rapper Yo Gotti has released 11 studio albums, 25 mixtapes and 57 singles, and 5 promotional singles. After several guest appearances, mixtapes and independent releases, he released his major-label debut album Life, in 2003.
Robert Rihmeek Williams, known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, The Bloodhoundz. He signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records as a solo act in 2008, although he departed by 2011 and released no albums with the label. Meek Mill then signed with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group (MMG) that same year, and rose to mainstream recognition following his performances on the label's Self Made Vol. 1 (2011) compilation album; his song "Tupac Back" served as the album's lead single while its follow up, "Ima Boss" entered the Billboard Hot 100.
William Alfred, better known as Aone, is a Nigerian-born American record producer and songwriter, signed to Rick Ross' label Maybach Music Group. He became active in the music industry in 2008 and is known for his work with urban music artists such as Juicy J, Birdman, Meek Mill, Young Buck, Rick Ross, Wale, Young Jeezy, D Block, The Outlawz, and others. His major influences in producing come from Just Blaze, Drumma Boy and Dr. Dre. His work is marked with a "You are now rocking with Aonebeats" tag in most of his recent music.
Dreamchasers 2 is the ninth mixtape by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on May 7, 2012, by Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records, and also released for digital download on DatPiff. It serves as the second installment in the Dreamchasers series, following Dreamchasers (2011). The mixtape features guest appearances from American rappers Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Fabolous, French Montana, Wale, Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, 2 Chainz and Canadian rapper Drake – along with singing vocals by Jeremih, Trey Songz and Jordanne; as well as production that was provided by Jahlil Beats, SAP, All Star, Cardiak, Reginald Smith, and Jesse Wilson, among others. The mixtape consists mostly of original material, including a remix to Meek Mill's single from his previous mixtape Dreamchasers, "House Party", and a cover of Drake's "The Ride".
The discography of American rapper Meek Mill consists of five studio albums, seven extended plays, one compilation album, three collaborative albums, eleven mixtapes, fifty-four singles, ten promotional singles and thirty music videos.
Dreamchasers is the eighth mixtape by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on August 11, 2011, by Maybach Music Group and on professional mixtape website DatPiff and is the first installment in the Dreamchasers series. Dreamchasers features guest appearances by American rappers Young Chris, Rick Ross, Beanie Sigel, Mel Love, NH, Yo Gotti, and Young Pooh. Production includes A One, All Star, The Beat Bully, Jahlil Beats, and Lex Luger.
The discography of Moroccan-American rapper French Montana consists of five studio albums, twenty-six mixtapes, 51 singles including 57 as featured artist, 32 music videos and 18 promotional singles.
Dream Chasers Records is an American record label founded by American rapper Meek Mill. The label is a former joint venture with Roc Nation. The name was taken from his well-received mixtape series Dreamchasers.
Dreamchasers 3 is the tenth mixtape by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on September 29, 2013, by Maybach Music Group and Dream Chasers Records. It was also released for free download on mixtape hosting websites. The mixtape features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Diddy, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Mase, French Montana, Future, Yo Gotti, Fabolous, and Jadakiss, along with his Dream Chasers Records artists Lil Snupe, Omelly, Louie V Gutta, and Guordan Banks, among others.
Orlando Jahlil Tucker, better known by his stage name Jahlil Beats, is an American hip hop record producer. He has produced for artists such as Puff Daddy, Lil Wayne, Fabolous, Meek Mill, Chris Brown, Tyga, Rick Ross, Ace Hood, Bobby Shmurda, T.I., and 50 Cent among others.
Sochitta Sal, known professionally by her stage name Honey C or Honey Cocaine, is a Cambodian-Canadian rapper from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
4/4 and 4/4 Part 2 are the respective first and second extended plays by American hip hop artist Meek Mill. They were released by Dream Chasers Records and Maybach Music Group digitally for free download and stream on My Mixtapez January 16 and January 30, 2016, respectively. Both 4/4 and its second counterpart feature production by C-Sick, Jahlil Beats, The Beat Bully, Ben Billions, ChopSquad DJ, Mando Fresh, Southside, DannyBoyStyles and J.Oliver with the latter featuring guest appearances from Dave East, Future, Omelly and Tdot Illdude. The second installment of the 4/4 extended play project, was released fifteen minutes shortly after Mill's rival, Drake, released a diss track aimed towards him, "Summer Sixteen"; the EP, itself, includes a response track called "War Pain". Mill later revealed that Drake's alleged ghostwriter, Quentin Miller, sent him the lyrics to "Summer Sixteen" before it was released, which influenced Meek's response in "War Pain".
Moosh & Twist is an American hip hop duo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group consists of DeQuincy "Moosh" Baba and Oliver "Twist" Feighan. They have amassed a devoted following over the years and have released four official mixtapes and four EPs, the latest being their 2021 EP Forever Kids 2: Don't Get Trapped.
"War Pain" is a song by American rapper Meek Mill featuring Omelly. The track was taken from Meek's second extended play, 4/4 Part 2. "War Pain" was produced by Ben Billions and DannyBoyStyles.
Summer on Sunset is a mixtape by American rapper Wale. It was released on June 17, 2016, by Every Blue Moon and Maybach Music Group, on DatPiff for free. The mixtape features guest appearances from Raheem DeVaughn, Ty Dolla Sign, Tha Dogg Pound, Cam'ron, Phil Adé, Jazz Cartier, Victoria Monét, Jim Ross and Eric Bellinger. The production on the mixtape was handled by several producers, including DJ Mustard, Nez & Rio, Marcè Reazon, Lee Major, DJ Chose and Jake One, among others. Summer on Sunset was released as a prelude to his fifth studio album, Shine, which was released on April 28, 2017, nine months prior. Plus, the mixtape was also hosted by DMV native DJ Quicksilva.