Aqil Davidson
{{Short description|American lyricist}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Aqil Davidson
| image = Aqil Davidson @BBKings upclose.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Aqil Davidson
| birth_place = Harlem, New York City, U.S.
| alias = A-Plus, Empra
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Hip-Hop lyricist
- songwriter
- record producer
}}
| title =
| years_active = 1988–present
| current_member_of = Wreckx-n-Effect
}}
Aqil Davidson is an American lyricist who aside from his solo career, serves as lead vocalist for the new jack swing group Wreckx-n-Effect.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-19|title=9 Things We Learned From Pharrell's "Drink Champs" Interview|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/12/things-we-have-learned-from-pharrell-drink-champs-interview/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Complex|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220045307/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/12/things-we-have-learned-from-pharrell-drink-champs-interview/ |archive-date=2020-12-20 }}{{Cite web|last=II|first=C. Vernon Coleman|date=2021-02-14|title=Report - Nicki Minaj's Father Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/nicki-minaj-father-killed-hit-run-accident/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-29|website=XXL Mag|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214195715/https://www.xxlmag.com/nicki-minaj-father-killed-hit-run-accident/ |archive-date=2021-02-14 }} He has also been credited with songwriting or production work on albums by Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, MC Hammer, MC Lyte, and Guy.{{Cite web|title=Aqil Davidson {{!}} Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/aqil-davidson-mn0000502683/credits|access-date=2021-12-29|website=AllMusic|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-11-14|title="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|url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/medias/detail_dangerous-de-michael-jackson-a-30-ans-pourquoi-c-est-un-album-charniere-dans-l-histoire-de-la-musique-et-la-carriere-du-king-of-pop?id=10877978|access-date=2021-12-29|website=RTBF Info|language=fr}}{{Cite web|date=2016-08-07|title=Michael Jackson: Dangerous|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22044-dangerous/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Pitchfork|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807182000/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22044-dangerous/ |archive-date=2016-08-07 }}
Career
Davidson formed Wreckx-n-Effect with Riley and Mitchell in 1988.{{Cite book|last=Lester|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=krkSCgAAQBAJ&dq=wreckx-n-effect+formed+in+1988&pg=PT18|title=In Search of Pharrell Williams|date=2015-08-10|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-1-78323-531-5|language=en}} 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",{{Citation|title=Wrecks-N-Effect - Wreckx-N-Effect {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/wrecks-n-effect-mw0000196096|language=en|access-date=2021-12-29}} Then the RIAA certified platinum "Hard or Smooth" in 1992, containing the multi-platinum smash Rump Shaker{{cite web |title=Hard or Smooth certifications |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Wreckx#search_section |publisher=RIAA |access-date=26 July 2022}}{{Cite web|last1=December 18|first1=James Bernard Updated|last2=EST|first2=1992 at 05:00 AM|title=Hard or Smooth|url=https://ew.com/article/1992/12/18/hard-or-smooth/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=EW.com|language=en}} and Raps New Generation in 1996.{{Citation|title=Raps New Generation - Wreckx-N-Effect {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/raps-new-generation-mw0000184228|language=en|access-date=2021-12-29}} Wreckx is most known for the singles “New Jack Swing”{{Cite web|title=The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-25-best-new-jack-swing-songs/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Complex|language=en}} and “Rump Shaker” which hit the No. 2 position on Billboard 100 in January 1993.{{Cite web|last=Armstrong|first=Sam|date=2021-10-27|title=The Best 90s Hip Hop Songs: Classic Rap From A Golden Era|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-90s-hip-hop-songs/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=uDiscover Music|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2015-10-30|title=The 100 Best New York City Rap Songs|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/10/100-best-new-york-city-rap-songs|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Complex|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102042836/http://www.complex.com:80/music/2015/10/100-best-new-york-city-rap-songs/ |archive-date=2015-11-02 }}{{Cite web|last=|date=1992-11-29|title=TEDDY RILEY and WRECKX-N-EFFECT : Shakin' Their Moneymakers|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-29-ca-2538-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229035700/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-29-ca-2538-story.html |archive-date=2021-12-29 }}{{Cite magazine|date=2013-01-02|title=The Hot 100|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/|access-date=2021-12-29|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}} Both of the singles reached the #1 ranking on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart.{{Cite magazine|last=|date=2013-01-02|title=Hot Rap Songs|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rap-song/|access-date=2021-12-29|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}
Davidson served as a producer, composer, and featured artist for new jack swing group Guy’s album The Future, which was released in 1990. Davidson worked closely with Guy member Teddy Riley on his projects with Wreckx-n-Effect. In 93'He also made a guess appearance on song called Make U Wet which was on BLACKstreet's 1st Album.
In 2019, Davidson released a remix of “Rump Shaker” alongside Wreckx-n-Effects bandmate Markell Riley to promote liqueur brand Rumple Minze.{{Cite web|title=Iconic 90s party anthem Rump Shaker gets a minty fresh remix|url=https://shots.net/news/view/iconic-90s-party-anthem-rump-shaker-gets-a-minty-fresh-remix|access-date=2022-02-25|website=shots|language=en}}
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.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-08|title=Lizzo, Elon Musk, Journey join call for police reform in New York|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/06/08/lizzo-elon-musk-journey-join-call-for-police-reform-in-new-york|access-date=2022-02-25|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Robb|first=David|date=2020-06-24|title=Hundreds Of Actors & Recording Artists Urge Passage Of Justice In Policing Act; SAG-AFTRA, MPA, RIAA Join Call To Action|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/hundreds-of-actors-recording-artists-urge-passage-of-justice-in-policing-act-sag-aftra-mpa-riaa-join-call-to-action-1202968861/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}
Discography
{{See also|Wreckx-n-Effect}}
= As featured artist =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Single !Album |
| 1989
|“New Jack Swing” (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson & Teddy Riley) |
| 1990
|“So You Like What You See” remix (Samuelle feat. Aqil Davidson) |Living in Black Paradise{{cite web |title=So You Like What You See |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1054993-Samuelle-So-You-Like-What-You-See |website=discos.com |date=1990 |ref=5}} |
| 1990
|“D-O-G Me Out" remix (GUY feat. Aqil Davidson) |
| 1991
|“She Drives Me Wild” (Michael Jackson feat. Aqil Davidson) |
| 1991
|"Ready Or Not" (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson & BigBub) |House Party 2 sdtrk{{cite web |title=House Party 2 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/reay-or-not-mt0034210877 |website=allmusic.com |publisher=allmusic |access-date=26 July 2022}} |
| 1992
|“Is It Good To You” remix (Tammy Lucas feat. Aqil Davidson) |
| 1992
|“That's The Way Love Is” (Bobby Brown feat. Aqil Davidson) |Bobby{{citation|title=That's The Way Love Is |url=https://www.shazam.com/track/10006338/thats-the-way-love-is |website=shazam.com | access-date=25 July 2022 |ref=3}}" |
| 1992
|“Rump Shaker” (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson) |
| 1992
|“Wreckx Shop” (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson) |
| 1993
|“Knockin Boots" (Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Aqil Davidson) |
| 1994
|“Joi” (London Jones feat. Aqil Davidson) |
| 1997
|“I Believe” (Remix feat. Aqil Davidson and Nutta Butta) |
= As a songwriter =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Artist ! rowspan="2" |Album ! rowspan="2" |Song ! colspan="3" |Peak chart positions |
| US |
|---|
| rowspan="4" scope="row" |1990
| rowspan="4" |Guy | rowspan="4" | |"Her" |— |— |— |
| “Wanna Get With U”
|— |— |— |
| “Total Control”
|— |— |— |
| “Gotta Be a Leader”
|— |— |— |
| 1990
|“She Drives Me Wild” |— |— |— |
| 1992
|“That’s the Way Love Is” |— |
| 1993
|“Ruffneck” |35 |10 |
| 1994
|London Jones |"Joi" |— |— |— |
| 1997
|“Don’t Stop” |— |— |— |
| 1997
|“Party Ain’t a Party” |— |— |— |
| 1997
|“I Believe” (Remix feat. Aqil Davidson and Nutta Butta) |— |— |— |
| colspan="16" |"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davidson, Aqil}}
Category:Atlantic Records artists
Category:Songwriters from New York (state)
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)