Finding Courage
The time for Bra heem is now: the 24-year-old emcee is not waiting any longer to let the world know who he is and what he has to say. As a West Oak Lane born and raised emcee, Bra heem received his education from George Washington High School. Although he admits he didn't have good study habits and was lacking motivation to do well in school, he graduated in 1995. "I didn't care about high school until my senior year. I'm just proud I received a diploma." About ten years ago, Bra heem started to realize that it is in music where he feels comfortable, but the task of getting a position in Hip Hop was difficult. He just looked to the people around him for guidance. For example his uncle who was a DJ for the L Nation, an extended group that also includes our very own EZ Jase. When he was just a youngin, he tagged along with the L Nation to different events, which would prove helpful and beneficial down the road. Bra heem kept his talent and desire quiet because he didn't have the confidence to step into Hip Hop yet.
Instead of following the early calling to devote his life to the game, his grandmother urged him to go to college. "She wanted me to be an engineer, and so that's what I did." Little by little his studies started to fall by the wayside and rhyming starting becoming his main focus. By this time, Bra heem had become sure of what he wanted to do. Remember the rule about your family always being there? Well, in this case it proved true for Bra heem. His uncle started producing, and Bra heem began collaborating with him. "We used to do stuff out of my grandmothers basement." Along the way, Bra heem and his uncle had acquired Riz who is an emcee. They came up with an idea to resurrect the L Nation name. Under that name, they put out Everyday, a single that received premature airplay, but fell short of becoming a commercial hit. The new L Nation was dropped from a distribution deal, and the album never was released. Not only musically were they suffering, but Bra heem suffered a loss of someone he looked up to. An original member of L Nation, T Wop, passed away. Bra heem and his camp decided they needed to change a few things, including their name. From that decision, AMZ was born, which eventually has been transformed to The Armory. They insist they are here to make some noise. There are some things he has up his sleeve for the rebirth of The Armory, like dropping mix tapes every few months to as he says, "build up a track record." That brings us to the present, and a new beginning for Bra heem.

Trials And Tribulations
The word strength can't even contain or describe Bra heem. His grandmother raised him along with his siblings. That made a little boy grow up real quick. Bra heem had the upbringing that gave him manners, courage and determination. He wouldn't even let me walk on the outside of the street. What a change! Usually men are pushing me in the street..in front of a car! On the real, Bra heem speaks of his family and how it relates to his music, "I don't discuss drug use in my music because I don't do drugs and my mother was an addict and I know what the suffering is like, it was hard times." Bra heem also never knew his father, but didn't lack a father figure with his grandfather and uncles around. Bra heem knows that he must do good not only for himself, but also for his mother, grandmother, and his fiancé, Cherron. They serve as his inspirations. When he was afraid and not sure what he wanted to do, Cherron helped him and told him to do what he felt. Although the engineer stint was short lived, he is still pursing his education in hopes of being a physical education teacher or football coach. The man also holds down a full-time job. With all this, you'd think he'd be too tired to make music, but as he puts it, "I wasted a lot of time watching and waiting for things to happen. I should have taken my career in my hands along time ago." Unfortunately, so many of us struggle with that decision, and I know personally it's hard to figure out what to do and what avenues to take. But this interview isn't about me, right? Right!

Applying The Knowledge
Balance is the secret ingredient in life. You will not succeed unless you learn how evenly distribute yourself between dreams and reality. Bra heem still has yet to conquer that. "I don't know how I do all that I do, and still sleep" he says. He understands that work is first, because he needs money. Money is the hit that affects all the other dominos like music and school. He is very spiritual and constantly asks for help. Obviously someone is listening; he is alive and healthy. There are many African American males that have not made it to this day, which propels Bra heem to want to be an example; "I'm doing this for my sake and their sake," referring to the kids on the block as well as the people that have helped and believed in him.

Did I mention that he is the oldest of his siblings? That gives him a natural responsibility, but God won't give you anything you can't handle. Namean? Bra heem seeks justice for those involved in Philadelphia Hip Hop, "I want us to be known for more than cheesesteaks. This is not an atmosphere to help others out." Musically he thinks Scarface and Timbaland are underrated, and he admits that The Clipse and Nelly are overrated, "Nelly just does things that everyone else has already done." I suggest you tell that to the ten million people that bought his album! His favorite of all time is Redman, and he looks at emcees like Ludacris, legends KRS-ONE and Rakim for rhyming substance. His energy on stage is his comfort zone, and being a witness to his performance, I can verify that. Bra heem is not outrageous. You will not see him with a luxury car and rockin unnecessary (well, is any of it necessary?) jewelry, instead he's learning how to save money, which he hopes to buy a house with someday. Bra heem is an individual with big dreams and a whole lot of personality to go along with them. Just check out his smile, it's obvious where he's going, and when he rhymes, it's obvious where he's been. He's going to do his thing, let you do your thing, and one day he hopes that the damn thing can be done together.

Article by Deesha
August, 2002