Raymond Abracosa (born December 2, 1990), better known as Abra, is a Filipino rapper, hip hop recording artist and occasional actor.[2] 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.[3] Before that, he is a well-known battle emcee in the FlipTop Battle League.
Abra | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Abra performing in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Raymond Abracosa |
| Born | December 2, 1990 Pasig, Philippines[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present (as solo artist) |
| Labels |
|
| Website | Abra on Facebook |
Early life and education
editRaymond Abracosa was born on December 2, 1990 in Pasig, Philippines.[4] 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.[5]
He graduated in high school education at Colegio de San Agustin. 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.[6]
Career
editHis career started as a member of Pinoy hip hop group Lyrically Deranged Poets (LDP) in 2010. He joined the FlipTop Battle League 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.[7] In 2011, LDP was granted TV air time on myx 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 FlipTop Battle League 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.[7] He released his self-titled debut album nationwide on February 21, 2014.[8] He took home the 'Best Music on YouTube Award' for his YouTube Channel called 'Abra TV' at the 2013 Globe Tatt Awards.[9][10] On March 29, he collaborated with Maja Salvador for the song "Halika Na" on her debut album Believe.[11] On December 31, 2014, Abra released the music video of his hit single "Diwata", which featured Chito Miranda of the band Parokya ni Edgar.[12]
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.[13]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Abra – self-titled album (released nationwide February 21, 2014)
Group albums
edit- The Project (with Lyrically Deranged Poets) (2009)[7]
Extended plays
edit- Hendrix EP (2018)
Compilation albums
edit- Various Artists: Homegrown Hiphop (Universal Music Group, 2013)
- Various Artists: Juan dela Cruz: The Official Soundtrack (Star Records, 2013)
Singles
edit- "Abrakadabra"
- "Gayuma" (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" (featuring Chito Miranda) (2014)
- "Sanib Pwersa" (featuring Raimund Marasigan) (2014)
- "Dedma" (featuring Julie Anne San Jose) (2014)
- "'King Inang Bayan" (featuring Reese Lansangan) (2016)
- "'Apoy" (featuring Shanti Dope) (2018)
As featured artist
edit- "Isang Jeep" - Loonie (with Hiphop22)
- "Halika Na" – Maja Salvador
- "Mine" – Pow Chaves
- "Tanyag" – Loonie
- "Halik sa Hangin" – Ebe Dancel
- "Gurl" – Father
- "Peque"- Apekz (with Mikerapphone)
Television and media appearances
editTelevision
edit- The Voice of the Philippines (season 2) (ABS-CBN, guest performer)
- ASAP (ABS-CBN, guest)
- It's Showtime (ABS-CBN, guest judge / performer)
- Kris TV (ABS-CBN, guest)
- Gandang Gabi, Vice! (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 (ABS-CBN, guest player)
- Pilipinas Got Talent (ABS-CBN, guest)
- Banana Split: Ihaw Na! (ABS-CBN, guest)
- Bandila: Ikaw Na! (ABS-CBN, guest)
- Wowowillie (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 (GMA, guest player)
- Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (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
edit- Boy Pick-Up: The Movie, as fictional version of himself (cameo)
- Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles, as Benjie
- Respeto, as Hendrix
Music videos
edit- "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. Julie Anne San Jose; October 2014)
- "Diwata" (feat. Chito Miranda; 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
edit| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s) / Work(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awit Awards | 2014 | Best Collaboration | "Diwata" (with Chito Miranda) | Nominated | [14] |
| Best Performance by a new Male Recording Artist | "Cerberus" (with Loonie & Ron Henley) | Nominated | |||
| Best Rap Recording | Nominated | ||||
| Music Video of the Year | "Ilusyon" (with Arci Muñoz) | Won | |||
| 2015 | Best Album Package | "Abra" | Nominated | [15] | |
| Best Rap Recording | "Dedma" (with Julie Anne San Jose) | Won | |||
| 2017 | Favorite Music Video | "Label" (with Myrtle Sarrosa) | Won | [16] | |
| Aliw Awards | 2013 | Best New Solo Artist | "Abra" | Won | [17] |
| 2014 | Best Collaboration in a Concert | "Artifice Unplugged" (with Rjay Ty, Alex Omiunu & Stick Figgas) | Nominated | [18] | |
| MYX Music Awards | 2013 | Favorite New Artist | "Abra" | Nominated | [19] |
| Favorite Male Artist | Nominated | ||||
| Favorite Music Video | "Gayuma" with (Thyro and Jeriko Aguilar) | Won | |||
| Favorite Urban Video | Won | ||||
| 2014 | Favorite Male Artist | "Abra" | Nominated | [20] | |
| Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ | Won | ||||
| Favorite Music Video | "Ilusyon" (with Arci Muñoz) | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Urban Video | Nominated | ||||
| 2015 | Favorite Collaboration | "Dedma" (with Julie Anne San Jose) | Nominated | [21] | |
| Favorite Male Artist | "Abra" | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Music Video | "Dedma" | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Urban Video | Nominated | ||||
| 2016 | Favorite Collaboration | "Diwata" (with Chito Miranda) | Nominated | [22] | |
| Favorite Male Artist | "Abra" | Nominated | |||
| "Favorite Urban Video" | "Cerberus" | Nominated | |||
| "Diwata" | Won | ||||
| Best Music Video | "Cerberus" | Won | |||
| 2017 | Best Music Video | "Bolang Kristal" (with KZ Tandingan | Nominated | [23] | |
| Favorite Collaboration | Nominated | ||||
| Favorite Urban Video | Nominated | ||||
| Wish Music Awards | 2019 | Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year | "Taya" | Nominated | [24] |
References
edit- ^ "Six things you didn't know about rapper Abra". GMA News Online. April 10, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Fliptop rapper taps Vice Ganda for new single". ABS-CBN News. March 12, 2012.
- ^ "20M Hits on YOUTUBE: ABRA sets a high bar". PhilippineShowbizNews.com. March 26, 2013. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Six things you didn't know about rapper Abra". GMA News Online. April 10, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Six things you didn't know about rapper Abra". GMA News Online. April 10, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Jr, Bayani San Diego (April 6, 2013). "Abra's crib no hip-hop". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Abra, Artifice Records sign up with Ivory Music & Video". The Philippine Star. June 10, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
- ^ "Abra releases debut album". 16 March 2014. The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "Abra TV". Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ Globe Tatt Awards 2013 Winners List Revealed. Philnews.ph (2013-07-06). Retrieved on 2015-09-01.
- ^ "Maja Salvador: 'Believe and it will happen'". 29 March 2014. Manila Times. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "MYXclusive: ABRA Talks About His Hit Music Video "Diwata"! - MYX | YOUR CHOICE. YOUR MUSIC". November 25, 2016. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Myx Music Awards 2016". Rappler. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Gloc 9 nabs top honors at 2014 Awit Awards". abs-cbn.com. December 13, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Sarah G, Yeng, Darren lead winners in 28th Awit Awards". abs-cbn.com. December 10, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "List of Winners for the 30th AWIT Awards". starchannelph.blogspot.com. November 26, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Mitoy on a roll, wins at 26th Aliw Awards". news.abs-cbn.com. October 9, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Aliw Awards 2014 Finalists Revealed". pep.ph. November 21, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "WINNERS: Myx Music Awards 2013". rappler.com. March 20, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "Full list, Winners and nominees, MYX Music Awards 2014". rappler.com. March 27, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "MYX Music Awards 2015 Nominees Announced". philippineconcerts.com. February 22, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Myx Music Awards 2016". rappler.com. March 15, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "LIST: MYX Music Awards 2017 nominees revealed". February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ "The 4th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Nominees, New Categories, and More". Wish 107.5. December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
External links
edit- Official page on Facebook
- Official page on Twitter
- Channel on YouTube