Aqil Davidson, sometimes socially referred to as A-Plus or Empra, is an American lyricist, hip-hop artist, and record producer. He is known for being front man and lead rapper of hip-hop / new jack swing brand Wreckx-n-Effect[1][2] and writing, producing, and being featured on songs by Michael Jackson,[3][4] Bobby Brown, MC Hammer, MC Lyte, and Guy.[5]
Aqil Davidson | |
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| Born | Aqil Davidson Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1988-present |
Career
Davidson formed Wreckx-n-Effect with Riley and Mitchell in 1988.[6] He released three albums with the group: the self-titled Wreckx-n-Effect in 1989, with the breakout #1 rap chart hit "New Jack Swing",[7] Then the RIAA certified platinum "Hard or Smooth" in 1992, containing the multi-platinum smash Rump Shaker[8][9] and Raps New Generation in 1996.[10] Wreckx is most known for the singles “New Jack Swing”[11] and “Rump Shaker” which hit the No. 2 position on Billboard 100 in January 1993.[12][13][14][15] Both of the singles reached the #1 ranking on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart.[16]
Davidson served as a producer, composer, and featured artist for new jack swing group Guy’s album The Future, which was released in 1990.[5] Davidson worked closely with Guy member Teddy Riley on his projects with Wreckx-n-Effect.[14]
In 2019, Davidson released a remix of “Rump Shaker” alongside Wreckx-n-Effects bandmate Markell Riley to promote liqueur brand Rumple Minze.[17]
Personal life
In 2020, Davidson was part of a group of celebrities who signed a publicly released letter urging the state of New York to repeal section 50-A of New York's Civil Rights Law in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.[18][19]
Discography
As featured artist
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | “New Jack Swing” (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson & Teddy Riley) | Wreckx-N-Effect[20] |
| 1990 | “So You Like What You See” remix (Samuelle feat. Aqil Davidson) | Living in Black Paradise[21] |
| 1990 | “D-O-G Me Out" remix (GUY feat. Aqil Davidson) | The Future[22] |
| 1991 | “She Drives Me Wild” (Michael Jackson feat. Aqil Davidson) | Dangerous[5][3] |
| 1991 | "Ready Or Not" (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson & BigBub) | House Party 2 sdtrk[23] |
| 1992 | “Is It Good To You” remix (Tammy Lucas feat. Aqil Davidson) | JUICE[24] |
| 1992 | “That's The Way Love Is” (Bobby Brown feat. Aqil Davidson) | Bobby[5][14][25]" |
| 1992 | “Rump Shaker” (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson) | Hard or Smooth[5][14] |
| 1992 | “Wreckx Shop” (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson) | Hard or Smooth[26] |
| 1993 | “Knockin Boots" (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson) | Hard or Smooth[27]” |
| 1994 | “Joi” (London Jones feat. Aqil Davidson) | For You[28] |
| 1997 | “I Believe” (Remix feat. Aqil Davidson and Nutta Butta) | Shades[5] |
As a songwriter
| Year | Artist | Album | Song | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | Hot Rap | |||||||||||||
| 1990 | Guy | The Future[29] | "Her" | — | — | — | |||||||||
| “Wanna Get With U” | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| “Total Control” | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| “Gotta Be a Leader” | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| 1990 | Michael Jackson | Dangerous[30] | “She Drives Me Wild” | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1992 | Bobby Brown | Bobby[31] | “That’s the Way Love Is” | 57[15] | 9[32] | — | |||||||||
| 1993 | MC Lyte | Ain’t No Other[33] | “Ruffneck” | 35 | 10 | 1[34] | |||||||||
| 1994 | London Jones | For You[28] | "Joi" | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1997 | No Authority | Keep On[35] | “Don’t Stop” | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1997 | Queen Pen | My Melody[36] | “Party Ain’t a Party” | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1997 | Shades | Shades[5] | “I Believe” (Remix feat. Aqil Davidson and Nutta Butta) | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||||||||