Ka was a prolific Brooklyn-based rapper whose lyrically-rich albums earned him accolades, and who was also known for his two-decade career as an FDNY firefighter, where he rose to captain.
- Died: October 12, 2024 (Who else died on October 12?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 52.
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Ka’s legacy
Born Kaseem Ryan, this Brooklyn-born rapper-producer developed a love of music in the late 1970s, eventually becoming an artist of note himself. In the 1990s, he was part of the underground group Natural Elements, performing as K.A., then formed Nightbreed, a duo with his friend, Kev, who performed as Oddbrawl the Lyrical Juggernaut.
In 2008, Ka’s debut solo album was released, “Iron Works,” beginning what would become an acclaimed career in New York City’s underground rap scene. The LP caught the captivation of Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA, leading to an appearance on his album, “Pro Tools.” Meanwhile, Ka continued to pursue his brand of minimalist, lyrically-dense rap. Though he did not gain commercial success, his nine self-produced solo albums, two collaboration LPs, and pair of EPs earned Ka accolades for his rich lyricism.
While he pursued his art, Ka also had a 20-year career with the New York City Fire Department, serving as a first responder during 9/11 and rising through the ranks to eventually become captain. He initially kept his personal life a secret, but when his 2016 album, “Honor Killed the Samurai,” received widespread critical acclaim – multiple publications named it one of the best albums of the year – the New York Post published an article revealing the connection, citing his lyrics that were critical of police.
Ka released his final album less than two months before his death, August 2024’s “The Thief Next to Jesus.”
Notable quote
“I’m inspired by pain, by heart-ache. It’s very moody. Not fake moody, I’m not trying to make you cry or sit and ponder. It’s just stuff that I feel and when I feel it, I happen to have a gift of writing down exactly how I feel. By doing that, I think people can feel it too, which is beautiful.” — Interview with Passion of the Weiss, 2015
Tributes to Ka
Full obituary: The New York Times
