Ka (rapper)

Kaseem Ryan (born August 11, 1972), better known by his stage name Ka, is an American rapper, producer, and firefighter from Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York City, New York.[2][3][4][5][6][7] His solo work has met critical acclaim and he is often noted for his focused concept albums and lyricism.[8]

Ka
Birth nameKaseem Ryan[1]
Born (1972-08-11) August 11, 1972[1]
OriginBrownsville, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States
GenresHip hop
Years active1993-present
LabelsIron Works
Associated actsMetal Clergy, Roc Marciano, GZA, Natural Elements, Nightbreed, Preservation
WebsiteBrownsville Ka

He is a former member of the group Natural Elements.[9] In 1995 he formed the group Nightbreed with his friend Kev.[10] In 2008, he was re-introduced on GZA's album Pro Tools on the song "Firehouse" and in that same year he released his debut album Iron Works.[11] In 2012, he released the follow-up Grief Pedigree on his label Iron Works. The album featured a guest appearance by Roc Marciano and was produced by Ka.[12]

In an August 2016 New York Post story, Ka was identified as a Brooklyn-based FDNY fire captain. The article focuses on his "double life as a hip-hop artist whose songs are peppered with the N-word, drugs, violence and anti-cop lyrics."[13] In a 2013 interview Ka discussed being a firefighter, saying "I have a full time job and I work all the time. I try to keep that kinda low. I just have a job. It ain't my calling or nothing. It's just my job."[14]

Discography

Solo albums
List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Iron Works
Grief Pedigree
  • Released: February 11, 2012
  • Label: Iron Works
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
The Night's Gambit
  • Released: July 13, 2013
  • Label: Iron Works
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
Honor Killed the Samurai
  • Released: August 13, 2016
  • Label: Iron Works
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
Descendants of Cain
  • Released: May 1, 2020
  • Label: Iron Works
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download

Collaborative albums
List of collaborative studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Days With Dr. Yen Lo
(with Preservation, as Dr. Yen Lo)
  • Released: May 16, 2015
  • Label: Iron Works
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
Orpheus vs. the Sirens
(with Animoss, as Hermit and the Recluse)[15]
  • Release: August 18, 2018
  • Label: Obol for Charon
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
Piece Be with You
(with Roc Marciano, as Metal Clergy)[16]
  • Released: TBC

EPs
List of EPs, with selected details
Title Album details
1200 B.C.
(with Preservation)
  • Released: June, 2014
  • Label: Iron Works
  • Format: CD, digital download
The Superfly Single
  • Released: January, 2016
  • Label: Iron Works
  • Format: Digital download

References
  1. Toren, Ben (August 8, 2012). "The little labels that could". CNN Money. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  2. "Ka: Carrying On Tradition". BET.com. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  3. "Ka ft. Roc Marciano - "Iron Age" [VIDEO]". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  4. "Watch All of Ka's "Grief Pedigree" Videos Here - XXL". XXL. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. "Notes From Ka's One-Man Pop-Up Shop - MTV Hive". MTV Hive. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  6. "Stream The Night's Gambit, the darkly smouldering new LP from Brooklyn rapper Ka - FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  7. "No Country for Old (Rap) Men: The importance of Ka". ACCLAIM. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  8. "Ka - Descendants Of Cain | Review". Hip Hop Golden Age. 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  9. "First Look Fridays: Ka From Brownsville". Okayplayer. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  10. Jeff Rosenthal. "Interview: Ka Talks Newfound Recognition, Mailing Out His Own Albums, and What Jay-Z Is Doing for Brooklyn". Complex. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  11. "Ka". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. "Ka". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  13. "FDNY veteran 'bad-mouths' cops in double life as rapper". New York Post. 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  14. "Who Is Ka?". Complex. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  15. @brownsvilleka (4 May 2018). "Hermit and the Recluse is Animoss and Ka" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. "Roc Marciano Already Has 5 More Albums Ready To Drop After Reloaded". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved 9 March 2015.


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