Ahmad (rapper)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Ahmad


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Ahmad Ali Lewis
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Born = c.1976
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Origin = Los Angeles, CA
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Genre = West Coast Hip Hop Contemporary R&B
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Years_active = 1994 - present
Label = Giant/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records Interscope/Universal Records Gotee/EMI Records
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Ahmad Ali Lewis (born 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.

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 Jesus Christ as his savior as a born-again Christian, 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 contemporary R&B 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 its artistic disagreements with Interscope, and its album "No Plan B pt. 2" was never released. The band went on to sign a deal with Gotee/EMI records, through which the group 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 young 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.

Discography

Albums

* 1994: "Ahmad" (Giant/Reprise/Warner Bros. 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"

Singles

* 1994: "Back in the Day" (US #26)

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"

External links

* [http://www.poemhunter.com/lyrics/ahmad/biography/ Ahmad] at PoemHunter.com