# Abra (rapper)

Raymond Mikael Camino Abracosa (born December 2, 1990), better known as Abra, is a Filipino rapper, hip hop recording artist and occasional actor. He gained mainstream popularity with his song "Gayuma" which became a major hit. When the music video surpassed 26 million views on YouTube, it was recognized as the highest number of views generated by any local artist at the time. Prior to his rise in the music scene, he was already well-known as a battle emcee in the FlipTop Battle League.

## Early life and education

Raymond Mikael Camino Abracosa was born on December 2, 1990 in Pasig, Philippines. He grew up in a family where his father was a professor and his mother did not play any musical instruments. By the age of 23, he had established his own recording label, Artifice Records.
He completed his high school education at Colegio San Agustin – Makati . He then pursued higher education at the University of Asia and the Pacific, located in Ortigas Center, where he graduated with a degree in Management.

## Career

His career began in 2010 started as a member of the Pinoy hip hop group Lyrically Deranged Poets (LDP). He joined the FlipTop Battle League under the name Abra. In 2009, LDP released their independent debut album The Project and had their first major concert at the legendary Music Museum in 2010. The group won Best Urban Group at both the 2010 and 2011 Urban Music Awards, among other nominations. In 2011, LDP gained TV airplay on myx for the music video of their song Here to Own It, which made it onto the charts. Abra also became a major icon in the FlipTop Battle League and co-hosted on PTV 4's show iConnect.
When the FlipTop Battle League and Sunugan rap battle leagues launched in 2010, Abra was one of the first battle emcees to compete and gradually built his reputation. After a series of intense rap battles, he became recognized as one of the heavyweights in Filipino rap battling. Known for his compelling lyrical style and witty antics, he impressed both viewers and fellow artists, with his YouTube videos ammassing millions of views. Eventually, Abra was able to perform on live television, radio shows, and various events across the country.
In 2013, Abra and his label Artifice Records signed a major distribution deal with Ivory Music & Video. He released his self-titled debut album nationwide on February 21, 2014. He won Best Music on YouTube Award for his YouTube Channel called Abra TV at the 2013 Globe Tatt Awards. On March 29, 2014 he collaborated with Maja Salvador on the song Halika Na on her debut album Believe. On December 31, 2014, Abra released the music video for his hit single "Diwata", which featured Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar.
In 2016, the music video for his single Cerberus, featuring Loonie and Ron Henley and directed by Willan Rivera, won the Best Music Video Award at the Myx Music Awards 2016.

## Discography
### Albums

* Abra – self-titled album (released nationwide February 21, 2014)

#### Group albums

* The Project (with Lyrically Deranged Poets) (2009)

#### Extended plays

* Hendrix EP (2018)

#### Compilation albums

* Various Artists: Homegrown Hiphop (Universal Music Group, 2013)
* Various Artists: Juan dela Cruz: The Official Soundtrack (Star Records, 2013)

### Singles

* "Abrakadabra"
* "Gayuma" (featuring Thyro Alfaro and Jeriko Aguilar) (2012)
* "Alab ng Puso" (theme of Juan dela Cruz)
* "Ilusyon" (featuring Arci Muñoz) (2013)
* "Midas" (featuring Jaq Dionisio) (2013)
* "Bolang Kristal" (featuring KZ Tandingan)
* "Cerberus" (featuring Loonie and Ron Henley) (2014)
* "Diwata" (featuring Chito Miranda) (2014)
* "Sanib Pwersa" (featuring Raimund Marasigan) (2014)
* "Dedma" (featuring Julie Anne San Jose) (2014)
* "'King Inang Bayan" (featuring Reese Lansangan) (2016)
* "'Apoy" (featuring Shanti Dope) (2018)
* "'Kontrol" (44 Bars) (2025)

### As featured artist

* "Isang Jeep" - Loonie (with Hiphop22)
* "Halika Na" – Maja Salvador
* "Mine" – Pow Chavez
* "Tanyag" – Loonie
* "Halik sa Hangin" – Ebe Dancel
* "Gurl" – Father
* "Peque"- Apekz (with Mikerapphone)

## Television and media appearances
### Television

* The Voice of the Philippines (season 2) (ABS-CBN, guest performer)
* ASAP (ABS-CBN, guest)
* It's Showtime (ABS-CBN, guest judge / performer)
* Kris TV (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Gandang Gabi, Vice! (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Sarah G. Live (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Rated K (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Showbiz Inside Report (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal (ABS-CBN, guest player)
* Minute to Win It (ABS-CBN, guest player)
* Pilipinas Got Talent (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Banana Split: Ihaw Na! (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Bandila: Ikaw Na! (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Wowowillie (TV5, 2013)
* iConnect (PTV 4, 2012–present)
* Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid (TV5, guest)
* Party Pilipinas (GMA, guest)
* H.O.T. TV: Hindi Ordinaryong Tsismis (GMA, guest)
* Celebrity Bluff (GMA, guest player)
* Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA, guest)
* The Ryzza Mae Show (GMA, guest)
* Flashbook (GMA News TV, guest)
* Front Row (GMA, guest)
* Aquino & Abunda Tonight (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Buzz ng Bayan (ABS-CBN, guest)
* Tunay Na Buhay (GMA, guest)

### Film

* Boy Pick-Up: The Movie, as fictional version of himself (cameo)
* Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles, as Benjie
* Respeto, as Hendrix

### Music videos

* "Gayuma" (feat. Thyro Alfaro & Jeriko Aguilar; September 2012)
* "Abrakadabra"
* "Ilusyon" (feat. Arci Muñoz; July 2013)
* "Alab ng Puso" (Juan dela Cruz OST)
* "Rejoice Haba ng Hair" (for Rejoice commercial)
* "Rejoice Ikaw na ang Malupit" (for Rejoice commercial)
* "WonderfulXmasTime"
* "Midas" (feat. Jaq Dionisio – Boy Golden OST)
* "Sanib Puwersa" (feat. Raimund Marasigan, for Colt 45 commercial)
* "Dedma" (feat. Julie Anne San Jose; October 2014)
* "Diwata" (feat. Chito Miranda; December 2014)
* "Cerberus" (feat. Ron Henley & Loonie; September 2015)
* "Bolang Kristal" (feat. KZ Tandingan; March 2016)
* "Peque" (by Apekz, with Mikerapphone; Jan 13, 2018)

## Awards and nominations

| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s) / Work(s) | Result |
| Awit Awards | 2014 | Best Collaboration | "Diwata" (with Chito Miranda) | Nominated |
| Awit Awards | 2014 | Best Performance by a new Male Recording Artist | "Cerberus" (with Loonie & Ron Henley) | Nominated |
| Awit Awards | 2014 | Best Rap Recording | "Cerberus" (with Loonie & Ron Henley) | Nominated |
| Awit Awards | 2014 | Music Video of the Year | "Ilusyon" (with Arci Muñoz) | Won |
| Awit Awards | 2015 | Best Album Package | "Abra" | Nominated |
| Awit Awards | 2015 | Best Rap Recording | "Dedma" (with Julie Anne San Jose) | Won |
| Awit Awards | 2017 | Favorite Music Video | "Label" (with Myrtle Sarrosa) | Won |
| Aliw Awards | 2013 | Best New Solo Artist | "Abra" | Won |
| Aliw Awards | 2014 | Best Collaboration in a Concert | "Artifice Unplugged" (with Rjay Ty, Alex Omiunu & Stick Figgas) | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2013 | Favorite New Artist | "Abra" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2013 | Favorite Male Artist | "Abra" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2013 | Favorite Music Video | "Gayuma" with (Thyro and Jeriko Aguilar) | Won |
| MYX Music Awards | 2013 | Favorite Urban Video | "Gayuma" with (Thyro and Jeriko Aguilar) | Won |
| MYX Music Awards | 2014 | Favorite Male Artist | "Abra" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2014 | Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ | "Abra" | Won |
| MYX Music Awards | 2014 | Favorite Music Video | "Ilusyon" (with Arci Muñoz) | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2014 | Favorite Urban Video | "Ilusyon" (with Arci Muñoz) | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2015 | Favorite Collaboration | "Dedma" (with Julie Anne San Jose) | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2015 | Favorite Male Artist | "Abra" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2015 | Favorite Music Video | "Dedma" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2015 | Favorite Urban Video | "Dedma" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2016 | Favorite Collaboration | "Diwata" (with Chito Miranda) | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2016 | Favorite Male Artist | "Abra" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2016 | "Favorite Urban Video" | "Cerberus" | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2016 | "Favorite Urban Video" | "Diwata" | Won |
| MYX Music Awards | 2016 | Best Music Video | "Cerberus" | Won |
| MYX Music Awards | 2017 | Best Music Video | "Bolang Kristal" (with KZ Tandingan | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2017 | Favorite Collaboration | "Bolang Kristal" (with KZ Tandingan | Nominated |
| MYX Music Awards | 2017 | Favorite Urban Video | "Bolang Kristal" (with KZ Tandingan | Nominated |
| Wish Music Awards | 2019 | Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year | "Taya" | Nominated |