James Lowery
, also known as Anybody Killa
, or ABK
, is a Native American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is signed to Psychopathic Records.
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ABK - ANYBODY KILLA TICKETS
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Biography
Lowery was raised on the east side of
Detroit.
[1] His parents were from
Pembroke, North Carolina and were of the
Lumbee tribe.
Lowery's father was a preacher.
His aunt and mother taught him about his Native American heritage, telling him
Cherokee and Lumbee legends and teaching him about
dreamcatchers.
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.
In 1995, he formed the group Krazy Klan with childhood friend Lavel, performing as Jaymo and J-ho, respectively.
During this period, Lowery's middle finger was cut off at a side plant that produced parts for
Chrysler.
After releasing two albums independently and performing at local clubs and parties, Krazy Klan broke up.
Seeking a solo career under the stage name "Native Funk," Lowery released his first solo album,
Rain from the Sun
.
[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.
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.
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.
In 2007, Lowery performed Main Stage at the Gathering of the Juggalos, and returned to Psychopathic Records the following year.
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".
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."
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.
Lowery has a
lisp, which gives him a distinctive delivery.
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."
Discography
- Rain from the Sun
(2000)
- Hatchet Warrior
(2003)
- Dirty History
(2004)
- Road Fools
(2005)
- Orange/Black Hallowicked 2006
(2006)
- Devilish
(2007)
- Detroit Warriors strike .1
(2007)
- Detroit Warriors strike .2
(2007)
- Mudface
(2008)
- Possessed
(2009)
References
- ''Local music spotlight: ABK''
- Bio
- ABK@GCR
- Charts and awards for ''Hatchet Warrior''
- Review of ''Hatchet Warrior''
- Charts and awards for ''Dirty History''
- Charts and awards for ''Road Fools''