Afu-Ra
 | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (September 2016) |
Afu-Ra | |
|---|---|
 Afu-Ra after a concert in Hanover (Germany), on May 4th 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Aaron Phillip |
| Born | January 31, 1974 |
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Gee Street/V2/BMG, Koch, Reggae Lounge, Decon Inc. |
| Associated acts | Jeru the Damaja, Gang Starr Foundation, M.O.P, Da Beatminerz, Ayatollah, Smif-N-Wessun, Masta Killa |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/realafura |
Aaron Phillip (born January 31, 1974), better known by his stage name Afu-Ra, is an American underground rapper. Afu-Ra is a member of the Gang Starr Foundation, and has worked closely with its members, Gang Starr, Jeru the Damaja, Big Shug, Group Home, and others.[1]
Career[]
Afu-Ra grew up in Brooklyn, with frequent collaborator Jeru the Damaja.[2][3]
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.[4] 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.[5] The album peaked at 183 on the Billboard 200,[6] 13 on the independent chart,[7] and 42 on hip hop.[8]
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.[9] The album was slightly less successful, peaking at 184 on the Billboard 200,[6] 17 on the independent album chart,[7] though 29 on hip hop.[8]
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.[2] The latter featured production by DJ Premier and and guest vocals from Masta Killa, Royce da 5'9", and Gentleman. In 2012, he independently released Body Of The Life Force 2, which was poorly received.
Discography[]
| Album information |
|---|
Body of the Life Force
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Life Force Radio
|
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State of the Arts
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Body Of The Life Force 2
|
References[]
- ^ allmusic ((( Afu-Ra > Biography )))
- ^ Jump up to: a b https://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX- (May 24, 2013). "Jeru The Damaja Names His 5 Favorite Hip Hop Albums". HipHopDX.
- ^ McCaffrey, Conor. "Jeru the Damaja Interview: 'I thought I could save the world'". Buzz.ie.
- ^ https://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX- (February 18, 2001). "Afu-Ra - The Body of the Life Force". HipHopDX.
- ^ "Afu-Ra: 'Body Of The Life Force' | NME". September 12, 2005.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
- ^ https://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX- (June 18, 2002). "Afu-Ra - Life Force Radio". HipHopDX.
External links[]
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- 1974 births
- African-American male rappers
- American male rappers
- Five percenters
- Gee Street Records artists
- Rappers from New York City
- Rappers from Brooklyn
- Living people
- Underground rappers
- East Coast hip hop musicians
- 20th-century American rappers
- 21st-century American rappers
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American male musicians
- American hip hop biography stubs