Bio:
Harlem is a place where stars are born, and history is made. Its rich background spans the spectrum of culture from politicians to activists, athletes to music artists; however, the landscape in Harlem is rugged, and there are many different roads to the top. Harlem is also a place where stars in the streets walk on the grandest stage for all of life to see. Names like Bumpy Johnson, Nicky Barnes, The Preacher, AZ, Rich and Po will forever be linked to the underworld lore of Uptown Harlem NYC. When it comes to hip-hop music, we all know now from Queens came Kings, but Harlem brought the originality, like Dougie Fresh. It brought the legendary DJs, such as Brucie B and Kid Capri. It introduced the world to infamous clubs like The Rooftop, where the streets and hip-hop music collided weekly. Growing up amongst all of this was a young Abdul Holmes, also known as A-Mafia. His story is a true Harlem story.
It is a story filled with triumph and tragedy. It is a story of survival, perseverance, and never being scared to be great. A-Mafia is the next in a line of dope Harlem MC’s to give you his side of the story in all its glory and its gritty realness. He is what the streets and music fans crave…a true story.
A-Mafia, or AB, if you really know him, traces his earliest rhymes back to when he was fifteen. “I didn’t start rapping because it was a fad. Around 1995, my cousin and I would just be in the house free-styling, and just having fun with it”, he reminisces. All throughout his life, AB was living a harsh reality. He came from a broken family where he had to fend for himself. His living situation was not stable. He was in and out of group homes as young child. New York City group homes in the late 80’s and early 90’s were infamous for their tough conditions and tenants. AB was even homeless at one point in the dead of winter being forced to sleep outside. He eventually found himself ‘Deep In The Game’ of the streets, making life-changing decisions desperately trying to live better. As a young man in the streets, he outshined his competitors, but it had its consequences. AB did stints in the infamous adolescent Bronx jail Spofford, Rikers Island, and New York’s notorious Great Meadow or Comstock Prison. Dealing with life’s realities was even more brutal with the passing of his father and the loss of his brother to the streets. Somehow, AB survived through all of this, and A-Mafia was formed. After going to jail five times and doing close to ten years, A-Mafia has lived the life that so many artists talk about, but never really lived. Still through all of it, family and freedom is what motivates A-Mafia the most. His music is a portrait of the reality he has lived. “I’m going how I’m going, because I plan not to go back to jail. I’ve already spent about ten years of my life there. My other motivation for staying focused is my family. I feel like I’m the only one who can really change my family situation. It’s all for my kids and my family.”
The music scene has changed dramatically during the last decade, especially for artists from New York City. Being from Harlem, A-Mafia is no stranger to the music scene. He is respected in most hip-hop circles and has done records with some of Harlem’s most notable artists including Camron, Jim Jones, Hell Rell, JR Writer and .40 Cal. After being released from prison in 2009, A-Mafia decided to carry the flag himself and establish his own movement. He formed Deep In The Game Entertainment with his partner Born and started a new campaign to let the world know his name. A-Mafia stated that he ultimately wanted the D.I.T.G (Deep In The Game) movement to control the raw new music that comes from the streets, especially in New York. “New York strayed away from the original formula. The South came out with a certain kind of music, and a lot New York artists tried to mimic what the South was doing when they should have just stuck with what they knew best, which is the raw street rhymes, mixed with the club sounds, but I’m here to fill that void.” A-Mafia’s style has been compared to the late and great Big L. If you ask him though, he will tell you in addition to Big L, Dougie Fresh, Nas, and 50 Cent have all had a creative impact on him as an artist.
A-Mafia is now nine mixtapes ‘Deep In The Game’ of music. His latest offering, Street Anthems is considered his strongest, and to music publications, such as XXL, it is being called the ‘ultimate EP ‘. To date, A-Mafia has been on over five albums including Duke Da God’s albums, More Than Musik 1 and 2 and The Movement Moves On. What’s next for A-Mafia? According to him, it is solidifying ‘Deep In the Game’ and as an artist, becoming a legendary name. “I want to be one of those artists, who is talked about years later as one of the best whoever did it.”
A-Mafia has also worked with Uncle Murda, Styles P, Papoose, Killa Kyleon, Chinx Drugz, Fred The Godson, Stack Bundles, and has been tearing up the streets and clubs with his underground hit single, “Real Live Pro” featuring the South’s new golden boy, 2 Chainz. There is a video available for “Real Live Pro”, as well. Since being released from jail in 2009, he dropped a total of nine mixtapes: Lord Of The Streetz, Digital Hustler, In My Own World, Get Money Music, What The Streets Made Me, My Side Of The Story, Under The Scope, Straight Savage, and Street Anthems. As A-Mafia states, “I have dropped more than forty videos online with millions of views.”
If you are not familiar with A-Mafia yet, here is what some important people have to say:
“A-Mafia is the new hunger, one of the best, new artist outta Harlem. He supports me and all I do, and I have no choice but to support him.” Kay Slay, Hot97
“His style if very unique and very real. I love it!” Mecca, Radio Personality, Music Choice
“This kid is making noise, and I like what I see.” Nelson, G Unit Records
“His music is dope. Can’t wait to see what’s next.” Adam Fleischer, XXL Magazine
“This is nice. Want to hear more.” Jon Cohen, Cornerstone Promotions/ The Fader Magazine
“This kid really grind.” Sha Money XL, Def Jam
@MAFIATHEBOSS
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