Ahmad (rapper)

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Ahmad
Birth name Ahmad Ali Lewis
Born c.1976
Origin Los Angeles, CA
Genre(s) West Coast Hip Hop
Years active 1994 - present

Ahmad Ali Lewis (born in 1976 in Los Angeles, California), is an American rapper. Credited simply as Ahmad , he is best known for his 1994 ,"Back in the Day", a nostalgic song that has become somewhat of a clichéd signifier for nostalgia in hip-hop culture.

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[edit] Background

Released when Ahmad was only 18, "Back in the Day" hit #26 on the US pop charts and #19 on the U.S. R&B charts on the strength of its hook - a sample of the Teddy Pendergrass' song "Love TKO" - and Ahmad's quirky vocal style, reminiscent of Fatlip of Pharcyde fame. It was the major single off his first and only album, Ahmad. A remix of "Back in the Day" is featured on the soundtrack to The Wood, a 1999 motion picture.

A second album was recorded for Revolution Records — a sub-label of Giant Records — but it was unreleased. After accepting Christ as his savior, Ahmad abruptly retired from the music business and devoted himself to full-time ministry. After a two year layoff, Ahmad formed Lookalive records, and went on to found the rock/soul/hip-hop group 4th Avenue Jones. In 2002, 4AJ secured a recording contract with Interscope Records, through Ahmad's imprint Lookalive records. The band's righteous musical content contributed to their artistic disagreements with Interscope, and their album "No Plan B pt. 2" was never released. The band went on to sign a deal with Gotee records, through whom they released the popular indie album "Stereo."

4AJ has toured extensively, performing for fans in Sweden, Denmark, Canada, the United Kingdom, Holland, and most of the United States. The band has shared the stage with such notables as James Brown, The Roots, Sheryl Crow, Black Eyed Peas, and KRS-ONE. 4th Avenue Jones' music (including the song entitled "Stereo") is featured in Dance Praise the Christian video game. The group also covered dc Talk's song "Jesus Freak" for the compilation tribute album, Freaked!.

A father of a 3 year-old son, Ahmad made the decision to transition from full-time recording artist to student; wanting to provide a more stable living environment for his child. Ahmad’s return to academia has been quite a success. His academic accomplishments are as follows: Jack Kent Cooke Fund Scholarship winner; Long Beach City College honors student; Long Beach City College Dean’s List five consecutive semesters; Long Beach City College President’s Scholar; UCLA Regent’s Scholarship winner; 1 of 20 transfer students (from a pool of 1,200) admitted to Stanford University for fall 2008; and, Valedictorian of the class of 2008 at Long Beach City College. Ahmad is currently attending Stanford University. After finishing his undergraduate work, Ahmad hopes to complete his graduate studies and, ultimately, become a university professor, author, lecturer and advocate for the world's poor.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • 1994: Ahmad (Giant / Reprise Records)

With 4th Avenue Jones:

  • 2005: Stereo: The Evolution of Hiprocksoul
  • 2004: "Respect"
  • 2003: "Hiprocksoul"
  • 2002: "Gumbo"
  • 2002: No Plan B pt. 2
  • 2000: No Plan B

[edit] Singles

Sean Breezy

With 4th Avenue Jones:

  • 2005: "Stereo"
  • 2002: "Move On"
  • 2000: "Respect"

Videos:

  • 2005: "Stereo"
  • 2002: "Move On"
  • 1996: "Come Widdit'"
  • 1994: "Back In The Day"

[edit] External links

Languages