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Afu-Ra | |
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![]() Afu-Ra in 2012 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Aaron Ocosice Phillip [1] |
Born | January 31, 1974 |
Origin | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels | Gee Street/V2/BMG, Koch, Reggae Lounge, Decon Inc. |
Member of | Gang Starr Foundation |
Aaron Ocosice Phillip (born January 31, 1974), better known by his stage name Afu-Ra, is an American underground rapper. A member of the Gang Starr Foundation, he has worked closely with its members, including Gang Starr, Jeru the Damaja, Big Shug and Group Home. [2]
Afu-Ra grew up in Brooklyn, New York City with frequent collaborator Jeru the Damaja. [3] [4]
Afu-Ra's first studio appearance was on Jeru's 1994 album The Sun Rises in the East , on the song "Mental Stamina". He made another appearance on Jeru's second album Wrath of the Math , on the track "Physical Stamina", in 1996. Afu's debut single, "Whirlwind Thru Cities", was released in 1998, reaching the top 20 on Billboard 's Hot Rap Singles chart. In 1999, he released his second single, "Defeat" b/w "Mortal Kombat". His debut album, Body of the Life Force , was released in October 2000. [5] The album featured production from DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, True Master and Da Beatminerz. Guests included Wu-Tang Clan's GZA and Masta Killa, M.O.P., Ky-Mani Marley, and the Cocoa Brovaz. [6] The album peaked at 183 on the Billboard 200, [7] 13 on the independent chart, [8] and 42 on hip hop. [9]
Afu released his second effort Life Force Radio in May 2002 on Koch Records, featuring production from DJ Premier, True Master, Easy Mo Bee, Domingo and Ayatollah. Guests included Guru, Big Daddy Kane, RZA, and Teena Marie. [10] The album was slightly less successful, peaking at 184 on the Billboard 200, [7] 17 on the independent album chart, [8] though 29 on hip hop. [9]
In 2004, he released a compilation album titled Afu-Ra presents Perverted Monks, followed by a studio album in 2005, titled State of the Arts on Decon Records. [3] The latter featured production by DJ Premier and Bronze Nazareth and guest vocals from Masta Killa, Royce da 5'9", and Gentleman. In 2012, he independently released Body of the Life Force 2. In 2020 he released the Album "Urban Chemistry" with features of Big Shug, Mann, Lord Kossity, Sizzla etc.
Album information |
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Body of the Life Force
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Life Force Radio
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Perverted Monks
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State of the Arts
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Body of the Life Force 2
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Christopher Edward Martin, known professionally as DJ Premier, is an American record producer and DJ. He is considered one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time. He was half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr—alongside the rapper Guru—and presently forms half of the hip hop duo PRhyme, together with Royce da 5'9".
Daily Operation is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released by Chrysalis Records on May 5, 1992. It peaked at number 65 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja, is an American rapper and record producer. He is known for his 1993 single "Come Clean" from his debut album, The Sun Rises in the East, ranked as one of the 100 greatest hip-hop albums of all time by the editors of About.com. He has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since he was in high school.
The Sun Rises in the East is the debut album by American hip hop rapper Jeru the Damaja, released May 24, 1994, on Payday Records. It was produced by DJ Premier. The album features fellow Gang Starr Foundation member Afu-Ra. The album cover depicts the World Trade Center on fire only one year after the 1993 bombing of the North Tower.
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D&D Studios was a recording studio at 320 West 37th Street in the Garment District and Hudson Yards neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City. Artists who recorded there included Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, The Notorious B.I.G., Fat Joe, Nas, Gang Starr, Jeru the Damaja, Afu-Ra, KRS-One, Frankie Cutlass,Violadores del Verso, Big L and Black Moon.
Wrath of the Math is the second album by the hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja. The album spawned the 2 singles "Ya Playin' Yaself" and "Me or the Papes". The album peaked at number 3 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, and number 35 on the US Billboard 200.
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The following list contains songs produced, co-produced or remixed by hip-hop producer DJ Premier.
Hard to Earn is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released on March 8, 1994, by Chrysalis and EMI Records in North America. The album featured the singles "Dwyck", "Mass Appeal", and "Code of the Streets". Guest appearances on the album include Group Home, Jeru the Damaja, and Big Shug. At the time, all were part of the Gang Starr Foundation, which made the album a stepping-stone for future DJ Premier-helmed projects by Group Home and Jeru. Hard to Earn received acclaim and commercial success upon release.
Livin' Proof is the debut studio album by the American hip hop duo Group Home. It was released on November 21, 1995, through FFRR/Payday Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by Gang Starr and Big Jaz. It features guest appearances from Absaloot, Big Shug, Guru, Brainsick Enterprize and Smiley the Ghetto Child.
Body of the Life Force is the debut studio album by American rapper Afu-Ra. Originally due to be released on Gee Street Records, it was released on October 10, 2000, via Koch Records. The recording sessions took place at D&D Studios, in New York. The production was handled by from DJ Premier, DJ Roach, 5 Boro Deep, Da Beatminerz, DJ Muggs, Joe Quinde, Mike Rone, P. King, and True Master. It features guest appearances from GZA, Hannibal Stax, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Krumbsnatcha, Ky-Mani Marley, Masta Killa, M.O.P., and Smif-N-Wessun.
Gang Starr Foundation is a collective of East Coast hip-hop artists led by the hip hop group Gang Starr. It was co-founded by Boston legend Big Shug. It was established in 1993.
Life Force Radio is the second studio album by American rapper Afu-Ra. It was released on May 21, 2002 via Koch Records. The album's audio production was handled by Arabian Knight, Ayatollah, Curt Cazal, Domingo, Easy Mo Bee, Eric S, Kenny Muhammad The Human Orchestra, Needlz, True Master, Woogie, and DJ Premier, who also served as executive producer. It featured guest appearances from Alana Da Fonseca, Big Daddy Kane, Don Parmazhane, GangStarr, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Kenny Muhammad The Human Orchestra, M.O.P., Quinnes Parker, RZA, Teena Marie, The Blob, and A-Sun & Respect from Perverted Monks.
Heroz4Hire is the third studio album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja. It is entirely produced by Jeru the Damaja himself unlike his first two albums which were produced by DJ Premier.
Divine Design is the fourth album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja. It is produced by Ed Dantez and Luis "Sabor" Tineo as opposed Jeru's earlier albums which were produced by DJ Premier and Jeru himself.
State of the Arts is the third studio album from hip hop artist Afu-Ra. The album features production from DJ Premier and Bronze Nazareth. It contains guest appearances from Royce da 5'9", Masta Killa and Gentleman. "God of Rap" was released as a single but failed to chart.
Payday Records, Inc. is a New York-based hip hop label that was launched in 1992 by Patrick Moxey. The label began in association with FFRR/London Records, and released in the UK and Europe via London/PolyGram Records. Artists launched via Payday Records include Jeru the Damaja, Jay Z, Mos Def, Showbiz & A.G., WC and the Madd Circle. Other associated productions include the works of DJ Premier and Guru of Gang Starr.
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