Ka (rapper)

American rapper

Ka (rapper)

Birth name| Kaseem Ryan[1]
Born|  (1972-08-11) August 11, 1972 (age 52)[1]
Origin| New York
Genres| Hip hop
Years active| 1994-present
Labels| Iron Works
Website| Brownsville Ka
Firefighter career
Department| New York City Fire Department
Service years| 1999-present

Musical artist

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]

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

[edit]

### Solo albums

[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected details  Title  | Album details

|

Iron Works |

* Released: 2008
* Label: Iron Works
* Format: CD, digital download

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

A Martyr's Reward |

* Released: August 13, 2021
* Label: Iron Works
* Format: CD, LP, digital download

Languish Arts |

* Released: September 16, 2022
* Label: Iron Works
* Format: CD, LP, digital download

Woeful Studies |

* Released: September 16, 2022
* Label: Iron Works
* Format: CD, LP, digital download

The Thief Next to Jesus |

* Released: August 19, 2024
* Label: Iron Works
* Format: digital download

### Collaborative albums

[edit]

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

### EPs

[edit]

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, CD

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b 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. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. 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". The A.V. Club. 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.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

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