Abra (rapper)

Raymond Mikael Camino Abracosa (born 2 December 1990), better known as Abra, is a Filipino rapper, hip hop recording artist and occasional actor. He gained mainstream popularity with his song " Gayuma" which became a major hit. When the music video surpassed 26 million views on YouTube, it was recognized as the highest number of views generated by any local artist at the time. As of 2025, the music video has reached 100 million views. Prior to his rise in the music scene, he was already well-known as a battle emcee in the FlipTop Battle League.

Early life and education

Raymond Mikael Camino Abracosa was born on 2 December 1990 in Pasig, Philippines. He grew up in a family where his father was a professor and his mother did not play any musical instruments. By the age of 23, he had established his own recording label, Artifice Records.

He completed his high school education at Colegio San Agustin – Makati. He then pursued higher education at the University of Asia and the Pacific, located in Ortigas Center, where he graduated with a degree in Management.

Career

His career began in 2010 started as a member of the Pinoy hip hop group Lyrically Deranged Poets (LDP). He joined the FlipTop Battle League under the name ''Abra''. In 2009, LDP released their independent debut album ''The Project'' and had their first major concert at the legendary Music Museum in 2010. The group won Best Urban Group at both the 2010 and 2011 Urban Music Awards, among other nominations. In 2011, LDP gained TV airplay on myx for the music video of their song ''Here to Own It'', which made it onto the charts. Abra also became a major icon in the FlipTop Battle League and co-hosted on PTV 4's show ''iConnect''.

When the FlipTop Battle League and Sunugan rap battle leagues launched in 2010, Abra was one of the first battle emcees to compete and gradually built his reputation. After a series of intense rap battles, he became recognized as one of the heavyweights in Filipino rap battling. Known for his compelling lyrical style and witty antics, he impressed both viewers and fellow artists, with his YouTube videos amassing millions of views. Eventually, 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 won Best Music on YouTube Award for his YouTube Channel called ''Abra TV'' at the 2013 Globe Tatt Awards. On March 29, 2014 he collaborated with Maja Salvador on the song ''Halika Na'' on her debut album ''Believe''. On December 31, 2014, Abra released the music video for his hit single "Diwata", which featured Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar. In 2016, the music video for his single ''Cerberus'', featuring Loonie and Ron Henley and directed by Willan Rivera, won the Best Music Video Award at the Myx Music Awards 2016.

Abra is also an occasional actor, notably playing the lead role of Hendrix in Respeto, a film about a poor aspiring rapper who finds mentorship in a former dissident poet; the performance earned him the Best Actor award at the 41st Gawad Urian Awards in 2018. He also appeared in Boy Pick-Up: The Movie and Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles.

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

Singles

*"Abrakadabra"
*" Gayuma" (feat. Thyro Alfaro and Jeriko Aguilar) (2012)
*"Alab ng Puso" (''Juan dela Cruz'' OST)
*"Ilusyon" (feat. Arci Muñoz) (2013)
*"Midas" (feat. Jaq Dionisio of Kiss Jane) (2013)
*"Bolang Kristal" (feat. KZ Tandingan)
*"Cerberus" (feat. Loonie and Ron Henley) (2014)
*"Diwata" (feat. Chito Miranda) (2014)
*"Sanib Pwersa" (feat. Raimund Marasigan) (2014)
*"Dedma" (feat. Julie Anne San Jose) (2014)
*"'King Inang Bayan" (feat. Reese Lansangan) (2016)
*"'Taya" (2018)
*"'Apoy" (feat. Shanti Dope) (2018)
*"'Stargazer" (with Gracenote) (2018)
*"'Liga ng mga bida" (feat. DJ Buddah) (2020)
*"'Pangwakas" (feat. Apekz, Mike Swift, J-Hon) (2020)
*"'Hipnotismo" (2020)
*"'Pantasya" (feat. Nicole Asensio) (2020)
*"'Kontrol" (44 Bars) (2025)
*"'Mais" (2025)
*"'Tarshey" (2025)
*"'Kry Bb" (feat. Haring Manggi) (2025)
*"'Olatz/Olanap" (2025)

As featured artist

*"ARÁL" - Loonie (with Apekz, Ron Henley)
*"Halika Na" – Maja Salvador
*"Halik sa Hangin" – Ebe Dancel
*"Isang Jeep" - Loonie (with Hiphop22)
*"KBTHN" - Ron Henley
*"Label" - Myrtle Sarrosa
*"Mine" – Pow Chavez
*"Peque" - Apekz (with Mikerapphone)
*"Tanyag" – Loonie

Television and media appearances

Television

*'' Aquino & Abunda Tonight'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' ASAP'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Bandila: Ikaw Na!'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Banana Split: Ihaw Na!'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Buzz ng Bayan'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Celebrity Bluff'' (GMA, guest player)
*''Flashbook'' (GMA News TV, guest)
*''Family Feud'' (GMA, guest)
*''Front Row'' (GMA, guest)
*''Gandang Gabi, Vice!'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' H.O.T. TV: Hindi Ordinaryong Tsismis'' (GMA, guest)
*''iConnect'' ( PTV 4, 2012–2013)
*'' It's Showtime'' (ABS-CBN, guest judge / performer)
*'' It's Showtime Hide and Sing segment'' (ABS-CBN, TagoKanta Celebrity Singer)
*''Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal'' (ABS-CBN, guest player)
*'' Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho'' (GMA, guest)
*'' Kris TV'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Minute to Win It'' (ABS-CBN, guest player)
*'' Party Pilipinas'' ( GMA, guest)
*''Pilipinas Got Talent'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Rated K'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Sarah G. Live'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid'' (TV5, guest)
*'' Showbiz Inside Report'' (ABS-CBN, guest)
*'' The Ryzza Mae Show'' (GMA, guest)
*'' The Voice of the Philippines (season 2)'' (ABS-CBN, guest performer)
*'' Tunay Na Buhay'' (GMA, guest)
*''Wowowillie'' ( TV5, 2013)

Film

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

Music videos

*"Abrakadabra"
*"Alab ng Puso" (''Juan dela Cruz'' OST)
*"Bolang Kristal" (feat. KZ Tandingan)
*"Cerberus" (feat. Ron Henley & Loonie)
*"Dedma" (feat. Julie Anne San Jose)
*"Diwata" (feat. Chito Miranda)
*" Gayuma" (feat. Thyro Alfaro & Jeriko Aguilar)
*"Ilusyon" (feat. Arci Muñoz)
*"Midas" (feat. Jaq Dionisio of Kiss Jane – '' Boy Golden'' OST)
*"Piña Colada Freestyle" - Prod. by Yung Bawal (Apekz, AGENT2K, DZ SVG, PRETTYMF9INE)
*"Pusong Dragon"
*"Rejoice Haba ng Hair" (for Rejoice commercial)
*"Rejoice Ikaw na ang Malupit" (for Rejoice commercial)
*"Sanib Puwersa" (feat. Raimund Marasigan, for Colt 45 commercial)
*"Wonderful Christmas Time" (feat. Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, and Parokya Ni Edgar, for Globe Telecom)

Awards and nominations

Music

Film

References

External links

*
Official page
on Twitter
Channel
on YouTube

{{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
Actors from Pasig
Tagalog people
University of Asia and the Pacific alumni
21st-century Filipino male actors