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Anybody Killa

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Anybody Killa
Background information
Birth nameJames Lowery
Also known asJaymo
Native Funk
ABK
Hatchet Warrior
Sawed Off
Born (1973-06-26) June 26, 1973 (age 51)
OriginDetroit, Michigan, United States
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1995–present
LabelsNative World Inc., Psychopathic
WebsiteTheHatchetWarrior.com

James Lowery, also known as Anybody Killa, or ABK (born June 26, 1973), is a Native American rapper from Detroit, Michigan, whose stage persona is that of a Native American warrior. He is signed to Psychopathic Records.

Biography

Lowery was raised on the east side of Detroit.[1] His parents were from Pembroke, North Carolina and were of the Lumbee tribe.[1] Lowery's father was a preacher.[1] His aunt and mother taught him about his Native American heritage, telling him Cherokee and Lumbee legends and teaching him about dreamcatchers.[1] Lowery started making music at a young age, using anything he could find as instruments, and began writing his own songs at the age of 13.[2] By the age of 15, local kids would pay to watch him perform in his garage.[2]

In 1995, he formed the group Krazy Klan with childhood friend Lavel, performing as Jaymo and J-ho, respectively.[2] During this period, Lowery worked at a side plant that produced parts for Chrysler. His middle finger was cut off in an accident.[1] After releasing two albums independently and performing at local clubs and parties, Krazy Klan broke up.[2]

Seeking a solo career under the stage name "Native Funk," Lowery released his first solo album, Rain from the Sun.[2][3] After being introduced to rapper Chris Rouleau, known professionally as "Blaze Ya Dead Homie," Lowery adopted the stage name "Anybody Killa," and the two toured as the opening act for Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid.[2]

Lowery signed to Psychopathic Records, and recorded his second album, Hatchet Warrior, released on April 8, 2003. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart, #42 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and #98 on the Billboard 200.[4] Allmusic reviewer Johnny Loftus wrote that "Mostly, Hatchet Warrior is a rehash of [Psychopathic Records] mystique. References to Faygo abound and shout-outs to Detroit and the Juggalos are frequent, while much of ABK et al.'s raps are workmanlike run-throughs of familiar themes".[5]

On July 27, 2004, Lowery released his third album, Dirty History. It peaked at #7 on the Top Heatseekers chart, #10 on the Top Independent Albums, #53 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and #152 on the Billboard 200.[6] Lowery also joined the groups Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas, performing in the latter as "Sawed Off." Lowery and Rouleau also formed the group Drive-By.[2] The EP Road Fools, released on March 22, 2005, peaked at #23 on the Top Independent Albums chart.[7] In 2006, Lowery left Psychopathic, continuing to release albums and merchandise from his Native World label.[2] In 2007, Lowery performed Main Stage at the Gathering of the Juggalos, and returned to Psychopathic Records the following year.[2] Since his return to the label, he has released two additional full-length albums, Mudface and Medicine Bag. The December 21, 2012 edition of Hatchet Herald indicates that Lowery will release a new album in 2013, which he has confirmed will be titled "Shape Shifter".[8] On March 28, 2014 Anybody Killa posted on his official Twitter account that his new album "Shape Shifter" was almost finished. In the April 11, 2014 Hatchet Herald, it was announced that ABK will be releasing a greatist hits album titled "The Perfection Collection" on June 10, 2014. In a June 2014 interview with YadaMedia ABK discussed his 2 new albums coming out on Psychopathic Records: "Shape Shifter" and "Road Fools 2".

Lyrical and performance style

Lowery's lyrical content draws heavily from his Native American heritage. Lowery refers to his style as being "like a spiritual rap".[1] He states that "I get a vibe from dreams, more or less. That's where a lot of my writing comes from. That and a lot of my fans' personal experiences. [...] It's their music, my fans' music. I'm just putting it to words behind lyrics for them."[1] In his review of Hatchet Warrior, Johnny Loftus describes the album as crossing Native American culture with gangsta rap and horror themes and humor derived from Juggalo and cannabis culture.[5] Lowery has a lisp, which gives him a distinctive delivery.[1] According to Lowery, "A lot of fans will say, 'Oh, he's just doing that to make it up.' Why would I want to make up a lisp while I'm rappin? I wish it was gone sometimes but a lot of people love it."[1] In his interview in a 2008 documentary called Shockumentary-Behind the hatchet, Lowery said he would be staying with Psychopathic Records once and for all.

Discography

Further information: Anybody Killa discography

Filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Podolsky, Erin (January 1, 2009). "Local music spotlight: ABK". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2 January 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Bio". The Hatchet Warrior. Archived from the original on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-14. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Dempsey, Laura (July 4, 2003). "ABK@GCR". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2008-11-03. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Charts and awards for Hatchet Warrior". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  5. ^ a b Loftus, Johnny. "Review of Hatchet Warrior". Allmusic. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  6. ^ "Charts and awards for Dirty History". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  7. ^ "Charts and awards for Road Fools". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  8. ^ http://www.psychopathicrecords.com/hatchetherald/121221/mayan/index.html

External links

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