Afu-Ra

This article is about the "underground" rapper. For the Egyptian god, a ram-headed form of Ra, see Duat § Underworld route of the sun.

Afu-Ra
Afu-Ra in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Aaron Ocosice Phillip[1]
Born	(1974-01-31) January 31, 1974 (age 50)
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]

Career

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: -

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. "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. "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
8. "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
9. "Afu-Ra". Billboard.
10. "Afu-Ra – Life Force Radio". HipHopDX. June 18, 2002.

External links

• Media related to Afu-Ra at Wikimedia Commons