| Anybody Killa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Lowery |
| Also known as | Jaymo Native Funk ABK |
| Born | June 26, 1973 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 1995—present |
| Label(s) | Native World Inc., Psychopathic Records |
| Associated acts | Dark Lotus, Psychopathic Rydas |
| Website | TheHatchetWarrior.com |
James Lowery, better known as Anybody Killa, or ABK, is a Native American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is signed to Psychopathic Records.
Early life
Edit
Lowery was raised on the east side of Detroit.[1] His family hailed from the Lumbee tribe in Pembroke, North Carolina.[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]
Musical careerEdit
In 1995, he formed the group Krazy Klan with childhood friend Lavel, performing as Jaymo and J-ho, respectively.[2] During this period, Lowery's middle finger was cut off at a side plant that produced parts for Chrysler.[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.[3][2] After being introduced to 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]
Lyrical and performance styleEdit
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, Allmusic's 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 rapping? I wish it was gone sometimes but a lot of people love it."[1]
DiscographyEdit
- Rain from the Sun (2000)
- Hatchet Warrior (2003)
- Dirty History (2004)
- Mudface (2008)
- Medicine Bag (2010)
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Podolsky, Erin (January 1, 2009). "Local music spotlight: ABK". Detroit Free Press. http://detroit.metromix.com/music/article/local-music-spotlight-abk/860023/content. Retrieved on 2 January 2009.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Bio". The Hatchet Warrior. Retrieved on 2008-07-14.
- ↑ Dempsey, Laura (July 4, 2003). "ABK@GCR". Dayton Daily News. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DDNB&p_theme=ddnb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FC3989EBAE2EE25&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved on 2008-11-03.
- ↑ "Charts and awards for Hatchet Warrior". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-08-25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Loftus, Johnny. "Review of Hatchet Warrior". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2 January 2009.
- ↑ "Charts and awards for Dirty History". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "Charts and awards for Road Fools". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-08-25.
External linksEdit
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