AFU RA

Afu-Ra, born Aaron Ocosice Phillip on January 31, 1974, is an American rapper and member of the Gang Starr Foundation. Growing up in Brooklyn alongside frequent collaborator Jeru the Damaja, he first appeared on Jeru's debut album The Sun Rises in the East before launching his solo career with the single "Whirlwind Thru Cities" in 1998. His debut album Body of the Life Force, released in October 2000, featured production from DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, True Master, and Da Beatminerz. Fusing classic East Coast hardcore with the sensitive, intelligent wordplay expected from a committed Rastafarian, Afu-Ra has built a devoted following in the underground hip-hop community.