Raymond Abracosa (born December 2, 1990), better known as Abra, is a

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

, hip hop recording artist and occasional actor. He gained mainstream popularity with his song "Gayuma". When the video reached more than 26 million views on YouTube, it was hailed as the highest number generated by any local artist. Before that, he is a well-known battle emcee in the

FlipTop Battle League FlipTop Rap Battle League (Fliptop for short) is the first and largest running professional rap battle conference in the Philippines founded by Alaric Riam Yuson (known as Anygma) in 2010. The league promotes Pinoy hip hop. FlipTop is heavily i ...

Career

His career started as a member of

Pinoy hip hop Filipino hip-hop or Pinoy hip hop (also known as Pinoy rap) is hip hop music performed by musicians of Filipino descent, both in the Philippines and overseas, especially by Filipino-Americans. The Philippines is known to have had the first hi ...

group Lyrically Deranged Poets (LDP) in 2010. He joined the

Fliptop Battle League FlipTop Rap Battle League (Fliptop for short) is the first and largest running professional rap battle conference in the Philippines founded by Alaric Riam Yuson (known as Anygma) in 2010. The league promotes Pinoy hip hop. FlipTop is heavily i ...

as Abra. They released their independent debut album ''The Project'' in 2009 and had their first major concert at the legendary Music Museum in 2010. LDP was awarded Best Urban Group at both the 2010 and 2011 Urban Music Awards, among other nominations. In 2011, LDP was granted TV air time on

myx Myx (, stylized as MYX or myx) is a Philippine pay TV channel based in Quezon City, owned by Creative Programs Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation. The channel is targeted to youth audiences and primarily airs music videos. It was intr ...

for the music video of their song "Here to Own It", which was able to enter the charts. He is also a major icon in the Fliptop battle league as well as a co-host on PTV 4's show ''iConnect''. When the

and Sunugan rap battle leagues started out in 2010, Abra was one of the first battle emcees to compete and gradually make a name for himself. After a couple of intense rap battles, Abra has been considered one of the heavyweights in Filipino rap battling. Using his compelling lyrical style coupled with witty antics, he is able to impress viewers and artists alike; and has YouTube videos that have amassed millions of views. It did not take long until Abra was able to perform on live television, radio shows and various events across the country. In 2013, Abra and his label Artifice Records signed a major distribution deal with Ivory Music & Video. He released his self-titled debut album nationwide on February 21, 2014. He took home the 'Best Music on YouTube Award' for his YouTube Channel called 'Abra TV' at the 2013 Globe Tatt Awards. On March 29, he collaborated with

Maja Salvador Maja Ross Andres Salvador-Ortega (; born October 5, 1988) is a Filipino actress, performer, television host, occasional producer, and talent manager. Referred to as the “Majestic Superstar”and the "''Queen of Revenge Drama''", Salvador is ...

for the song "Halika Na" on her debut album ''Believe''. The music video for his single "Cerberus", featuring Loonie and Ron Henley under the direction of Willan Rivera, won the Best Music Video Award at the

Myx Music Awards 2016 Myx Music Awards 2016 is the 11th installment of the Myx Music Awards acknowledging the past year's biggest hitmakers in the Philippine music industry. For the fifth consecutive year, fans can vote online through Myx website. Nominees were ann ...

Discography

Albums

*''Abra'' – self-titled album (released nationwide February 21, 2014)

Group albums

*''The Project'' (with Lyrically Deranged Poets) (2009)

Extended plays

*''Hendrix EP'' (2018)

Compilation albums

*Various Artists: ''Homegrown Hiphop'' (

Universal Music Group Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum, Netherlands and its ...

, 2013) *Various Artists: '' Juan dela Cruz: The Official Soundtrack'' (

Star Records Star Music (stylized in lowercase as starmusic; formerly known as Star Records), is a record label in the Philippines owned and operated by media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. It was formerly a separate company operating as a wholly owned ...

, 2013)

Singles

*"Abrakadabra" *"

Gayuma "Gayuma" ("''Love Potion''") is a song by Filipino rapper Abra featuring Thyro Alfaro and Jeriko Aguilar, son of Ka Freddie Aguilar. The song is about a man in love with a transgender partner who learns he'd been given a love potion and takes a ...

" (featuring Thyro Alfaro and Jeriko Aguilar) (2012) *"Alab ng Puso" (theme of '' Juan dela Cruz'') *"Ilusyon" (featuring Arci Muñoz) (2013) *"Midas" (featuring Jaq Dionisio) (2013) *"Bolang Kristal" (featuring KZ Tandingan) *"Cerberus" (featuring Loonie and Ron Henley) (2014) *"

Diwata ''Anito'', also spelled ''anitu'', refers to ancestor spirits, nature spirits, and deities in the indigenous Philippine folk religions from the precolonial age to the present, although the term itself may have other meanings and associa ...

" (featuring

Chito Miranda Alfonso Yanga Miranda Jr. (born February 7, 1976), widely known as Chito Miranda, is a Filipino singer-songwriter and occasional actor, best known as one of the founding members and lead singer for the band Parokya ni Edgar. Early life and care ...

) (2014) *"Sanib Pwersa" (featuring Raimund Marasigan) (2014) *"Dedma" (featuring

Julie Anne San Jose Julie Anne Peñaflorida San Jose (; born May 17, 1994) is a Filipino singer, songwriter, actress, host and television personality. She is dubbed as "''Asia's Limitless Star''" for her singing prowess and achievements. San Jose is regarded as ...

) (2014) *"'King Inang Bayan" (featuring

Reese Lansangan Maria Therese "Reese" Lansangan (born October 16, 1990) is a Filipino musician, singer-songwriter, visual artist, graphic designer, fashion designer, and published author. She is best known for her 2015 debut album ''Arigato, Internet!'', and for ...

) (2016) *"'Apoy" (featuring Shanti Dope) (2018)

As featured artist

*"Isang Jeep" - Loonie (with Hiphop22) *"Halika Na" –

*"Mine" – Pow Chaves *"Tanyag" – Loonie *"Halik sa Hangin" – Ebe Dancel *"Gurl" – Father *"Peque"- Apekz (with Mikerapphone)

Television and media appearances

Television

*''

The Voice of the Philippines (season 2) The second season of ''The Voice of the Philippines'' was a reality singing competition in ABS-CBN which started airing on October 26, 2014. apl.de.ap, Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo, and Bamboo Mañalac returned as coaches for this season. Toni Gonz ...

'' (ABS-CBN, guest performer) *'' ASAP'' (

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Philippine commercial broadcast network that serves as the flagship property of ABS-CBN Corporation, a company unde ...

, guest) *'' It's Showtime'' (ABS-CBN, guest judge / performer) *''

Kris TV The kris, or ''keris'' in the Indonesian language, is an asymmetrical dagger with distinctive blade-patterning achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron (''pamor''). Of Javanese origin, the kris is famous for its dist ...

'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *''

Gandang Gabi, Vice! ''Gandang Gabi, Vice!'' () is a Philippine late-night comedy talk show broadcast by ABS-CBN, hosted by Vice Ganda. The program premiered from May 22, 2011, and aired every Sunday from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM, on the network's ''Yes Weekend!'' block. ...

'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Sarah G. Live'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Rated K'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Showbiz Inside Report'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal'' (ABS-CBN, guest player) *''

Minute to Win It ''Minute to Win It'' is an international game show franchise where contestants take part in a series of 60-second challenges that use objects that are commonly available around the house. The first version of ''Minute to Win It'' to air was t ...

'' (ABS-CBN, guest player) *'' Pilipinas Got Talent'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Banana Split: Ihaw Na!'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Bandila: Ikaw Na!'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *''

Wowowillie ''Wowowillie'' is a Philippine noontime variety show aired by TV5. The show premiered on January 26, 2013, and was broadcast live from TV5's Delta Studio in Quezon City, with its main host and producer, Willie Revillame. The show earned the di ...

'' ( TV5, 2013) *''iConnect'' ( PTV 4, 2012–present) *'' Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid'' (TV5, guest) *'' Party Pilipinas'' ( GMA, guest) *'' H.O.T. TV: Hindi Ordinaryong Tsismis'' (GMA, guest) *''

Celebrity Bluff ''Celebrity Bluff'' is a Philippine television comedy game show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Eugene Domingo, it premiered on November 17, 2012. The show originally featured Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola as the original "Gangnammms" (also ...

'' (GMA, guest player) *''

Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho ''Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho'' (International title: ''One at Heart, Jessica Soho'' / ) also known as ''KMJS'', is a Philippine television news magazine show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Jessica Soho, it premiered on November 7, 2004 on th ...

'' (GMA, guest) *'' The Ryzza Mae Show'' (GMA, guest) *''Flashbook'' (GMA News TV, guest) *''Front Row'' (GMA, guest) *'' Aquino & Abunda Tonight'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Buzz ng Bayan'' (ABS-CBN, guest) *'' Tunay Na Buhay'' (GMA, guest)

Film

*'' Boy Pick-Up: The Movie'', as fictional version of himself (cameo) *'' Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles'', as Benjie *'' Respeto'', as Hendrix

Music videos

*"Gayuma" (feat. Thyro Alfaro & Jeriko Aguilar; September 2012) *"Abrakadabra" *"Ilusyon" (feat. Arci Muñoz; July 2013) *"Alab ng Puso" ('' Juan dela Cruz'' OST) *"Rejoice Haba ng Hair" (for Rejoice commercial) *"Rejoice Ikaw na ang Malupit" (for Rejoice commercial) *"WonderfulXmasTime" *"Midas" (feat. Jaq Dionisio – '' Boy Golden'' OST) *"Sanib Puwersa" (feat. Raimund Marasigan, for Colt 45 commercial) *"Dedma" (feat.

; October 2014) *"Diwata" (feat.

; December 2014) *"Cerberus" (feat. Ron Henley & Loonie; September 2015) *"Bolang Kristal" (feat. KZ Tandingan; March 2016) *"Peque" (by Apekz, with Mikerapphone; Jan 13, 2018)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*
Official page
on

Twitter Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...

Channel
on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abra 1990 births Living people Filipino hip hop musicians 21st-century Filipino male singers Filipino rappers Filipino singer-songwriters Male actors from Metro Manila People from Metro Manila People from Pasig Tagalog people University of Asia and the Pacific alumni 21st-century Filipino male actors