Aaron Ocosice Phillip (born January 31, 1974), known professionally as Afu-Ra, is an American 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.

Career

Afu-Ra grew up in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

with frequent collaborator Jeru the Damaja. Afu-Ra's first studio appearance was on Jeru's debut studio album '' The Sun Rises in the East'', on the song "Mental Stamina". He made another appearance on Jeru's second studio 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. The album featured production from DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, True Master and Da Beatminerz. Guests included

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and, until his death in 2004, O ...

's GZA and Masta Killa, M.O.P., Ky-Mani Marley, and the Cocoa Brovaz. The album peaked at 183 on the

Billboard 200 The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists. Sometimes, a rec ...

, 13 on the independent chart, and 42 on hip hop. Afu has released his second studio album '' Life Force Radio'' in May 2002 on MNRK, featuring production from DJ Premier, True Master, Easy Mo Bee, Domingo and

Ayatollah Ayatollah (, ; ; ) is an Title of honor, honorific title for high-ranking Twelver Shia clergy. It came into widespread usage in the 20th century. Originally used as a title bestowed by popular/clerical acclaim for a small number of the most di ...

. Guests included

Guru Guru ( ; International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''guru'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian religions, Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: tr ...

Big Daddy Kane Antonio Hardy (born September 10, 1968), better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American Rapping, rapper, producer and actor who began his career in 1986 as a member of the Juice Crew. He is widely regarded as one of the most influe ...

, RZA, and Teena Marie. The album was slightly less successful, peaking at 184 on the ''Billboard'' 200, 17 on the independent album chart, though 29 on hip hop. 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. The latter featured production by DJ Premier and Bronze Nazareth and guest vocals from Masta Killa, Royce da 5'9", and

Gentleman ''Gentleman'' (Old French: ''gentilz hom'', gentle + man; abbreviated ''gent.'') is a term for a chivalrous, courteous, or honorable man. Originally, ''gentleman'' was the lowest rank of the landed gentry of England, ranking below an esquire ...

. 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

References

External links

* 1974 births African-American male rappers 21st-century American male rappers 20th-century American male rappers Five percenters Gee Street Records artists Rappers from Brooklyn Living people MNRK Music Group artists 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 20th-century African-American musicians 21st-century African-American musicians Gang Starr Foundation members {{US-hiphop-bio-stub