Aqil Davidson

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
Born
Aqil Davidson

Harlem, New York, U.S.
Other names
  • Wreckx-N-Effect
  • A-Plus
  • Empra
Occupations
  • Music Publishing
  • Lyricist
  • Performer
  • Public Speaker
  • Producer
Years active1988-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
See also: Wreckx-n-Effect
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

HipHop

 Hot Rap

Songs

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

References
  1. "9 Things We Learned From Pharrell's "Drink Champs" Interview". Complex. 2020-12-19. Archived from the original on 2020-12-20. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  2. II, C. Vernon Coleman (2021-02-14). "Report - Nicki Minaj's Father Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  3. ""Dangerous" de Michael Jackson a 30 ans : pourquoi c'est un album charnière dans l'histoire de la musique et la carrière du King of Pop". RTBF Info (in French). 2021-11-14. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  4. "Michael Jackson: Dangerous". Pitchfork. 2016-08-07. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  5. "Aqil Davidson | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  6. Lester, Paul (2015-08-10). In Search of Pharrell Williams. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-78323-531-5.
  7. Wrecks-N-Effect - Wreckx-N-Effect | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  8. "Hard or Smooth certifications". RIAA. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  9. December 18, James Bernard Updated; EST, 1992 at 05:00 AM. "Hard or Smooth". EW.com. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  10. Raps New Generation - Wreckx-N-Effect | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  11. "The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs". Complex. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  12. Armstrong, Sam (2021-10-27). "The Best 90s Hip Hop Songs: Classic Rap From A Golden Era". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  13. "The 100 Best New York City Rap Songs". Complex. 2015-10-30. Archived from the original on 2015-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  14. "TEDDY RILEY and WRECKX-N-EFFECT : Shakin' Their Moneymakers". Los Angeles Times. 1992-11-29. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  15. "The Hot 100". Billboard. 2013-01-02. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  16. "Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. 2013-01-02. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  17. "Iconic 90s party anthem Rump Shaker gets a minty fresh remix". shots. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  18. "Lizzo, Elon Musk, Journey join call for police reform in New York". The Mercury News. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  19. Robb, David (2020-06-24). "Hundreds Of Actors & Recording Artists Urge Passage Of Justice In Policing Act; SAG-AFTRA, MPA, RIAA Join Call To Action". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  20. New Jack Swing - Wreckx-N-Effect | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 25 July 2022
  21. "So You Like What You See". discos.com.
  22. "D-O-G Me Out". youtube.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  23. "House Party 2". allmusic.com. allmusic. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  24. "Is It Good To You". soundcloud.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  25. "That's The Way Love Is", shazam.com, retrieved 25 July 2022
  26. "Wreckx Shop". discos.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  27. "Knockin Boots", discogs.com, retrieved 25 July 2022
  28. For You - London Jones | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  29. The Future - Guy | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  30. Dangerous - Michael Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  31. Bobby - Bobby Brown | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  32. "Bobby Brown". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  33. Ain't No Other - MC Lyte | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  34. "MC Lyte". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  35. Keep On - No Authority | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
  36. My Melody - Queen Pen | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-12-29
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