Afu-Ra

Last updated

Afu-Ra
20120504 - Afu-Ra.jpg
Afu-Ra in 2012
Background information
Birth nameAaron Ocosice Phillip [1]
Born (1974-01-31) January 31, 1974 (age 50)
Origin Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Years active1994–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]

Contents

Career

Afu-Ra in 2000 Afu ra-03.jpg
Afu-Ra in 2000

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.

Discography

Album information
Body of the Life Force
  • Released: October 24, 2000
  • Billboard 200 chart position: 183
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: 42
  • Singles: "Whirlwind Thru Cities", "Defeat"/"Mortal Kombat", "Equality"/"Bring it Right", "Big Acts, Little Acts", "D&D Soundclash"
Life Force Radio
  • Released: May 21, 2002
  • Billboard 200 chart position: 184
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: 29
  • Singles: "Crossfire"/"Lyrical Monster", "Scat Man"/"Stick Up"
Perverted Monks
  • Released: 2004
State of the Arts
  • Released: June 14, 2005
  • Billboard 200 chart position: -
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
  • Singles: "Poisonous Taoist"/"Sucka Free", "God of Rap"/"Pusha", "Why Cry" (feat. Gentleman)
Body of the Life Force 2
  • Released: November 26, 2012
  • Billboard 200 chart position: -
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gang Starr</span> American East Coast hip hop duo

Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Houston-born record producer DJ Premier and Boston, Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based in Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2003, and are considered one of the best MC-and-producer duos in hip hop history. They are recognized for being one of the pioneers of jazz rap. Some of their top hits include "Mass Appeal", "Take It Personal", "Moment of Truth", "Full Clip" and "Above The Clouds".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Premier</span> American DJ and record producer (born 1966)

Christopher Edward Martin, known professionally as DJ Premier, is an American DJ and record producer. 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".

<i>Daily Operation</i> 1992 studio album by Gang Starr

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeru the Damaja</span> American rapper from New York

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.

<i>The Sun Rises in the East</i> 1994 studio album by Jeru the Damaja

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. Production on the album was handled 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R.A. the Rugged Man</span> American rapper

Richard Andrew Thorburn, better known by his stage name R.A. the Rugged Man, is an American rapper and producer. He began his music career at age 12, building a reputation locally for his lyrical skills. Thorburn signed with major label Jive Records at age 18, but his debut album, Night of the Bloody Apes, was never released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D&D Studios</span> Defunct recording studio in New York City

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.

<i>Wrath of the Math</i> 1996 studio album by Jeru the Damaja

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Foxxx</span> American rapper

James Campbell, better known by his stage names Freddie Foxxx and Bumpy Knuckles, is an American rapper and record producer from Long Island, New York.

Omar Gerryl Credle, better known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper and member of the group D.I.T.C. He has been involved with several underground hip hop groups, namely Crooklyn Dodgers '95, Luv NY, and Perestroika.

<i>Hard to Earn</i> 1994 studio album by Gang Starr

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 "Mass Appeal",, "DWYCK", 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.

<i>Livin Proof</i> 1995 studio album by Group Home

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.

<i>Body of the Life Force</i> 2000 studio album by Afu-Ra

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. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. 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 rappers led by the hip hop group Gang Starr. It was co-founded by Boston legend Big Shug. It was established in 1993.

<i>Life Force Radio</i> 2002 studio album by Afu-Ra

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.

<i>Heroz4Hire</i> 1999 studio album by Jeru the Damaja

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.

<i>Divine Design</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Jeru the Damaja

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.

<i>State of the Arts</i> 2005 studio album by Afu-Ra

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.

This is the discography for American hip hop musician Guru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Payday Records</span> American hip hop record label based New York

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.

References

  1. "B.B.B.B." ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  2. "Afu-Ra Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic .
  3. 1 2 "Jeru The Damaja Names His 5 Favorite Hip Hop Albums". HipHopDX. May 24, 2013.
  4. McCaffrey, Conor. "Jeru the Damaja Interview: 'I thought I could save the world'". Buzz.ie.
  5. "Afu-Ra – The Body of the Life Force". HipHopDX. February 18, 2001.
  6. "Afu-Ra: 'Body Of The Life Force' | NME". NME . September 12, 2005.
  7. 1 2 "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
  8. 1 2 "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
  9. 1 2 "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
  10. "Afu-Ra – Life Force Radio". HipHopDX. June 18, 2002.