Alrad Lewis (born May 10, 1977), also known as Boola, is an American hip-hop producer, composer and artist. Growing up in Hempstead, Long Island, Boola started his own rap group with kids in the neighborhood.[1] After taking on production responsibilities for the group, Boola decided to concentrate on the production aspect of the music business and soon began working with artists signed to Warner and MCA.[2]
Alrad Lewis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Boola |
| Born | May 10, 1977 |
| Origin | Hempstead, Long Island, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, alternative |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, songwriter, rapper |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | MCA, Roc-A-Fella |
| Website | boolaworld |
Music career
editIn 2002, after producing for Warner and MCA Records, Boola signed a deal with Roc-A-Fella records.[3] For the next seven years, Boola produced for and worked with artists such as Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Kanye West, Nicole Wray, Ne-Yo, Nas and Jaheim.[4][5] After the Roc-A-Fella split, Boola continued to produce expanding into TV and film placements including VH1's Basketball Wives and MTV's Making With The Band.[6][7] In 2011, Boola released the "Produced By Boola" mixtape series which featured original material from Nas, Ne-Yo, Bun B and others.[8] Shortly after he began to pursue a career as an artist,[9] and in November 2012 appeared on BET's 106 & Park,[10][11] to premiere his video "Starting 5". It featured Maffew Ragazino, Mickey Factz, Reek Da Villian, and Jon Connor (produced by Bink).[12][13]
Boola's latest project is a mixtape album No Better Time Than The Present and, along with "Starting 5", featured the first single "Kim K".[14][15][16][17]
Discography
editStudio albums (artist)
edit- 2012: No Better Time Than The Present (Mixtape Album)
Mixtapes (artist/producer)
edit- 2011: Cut from a Different Cloth
- 2011: Produced By Boola
Songs (producer)
edit- 2007: Beanie Sigel – H.H.E.H
- 2007 N.O.R.E – I'ma Get You
- 2006: Ne-Yo – I Ain't Gotta Tell You
- 2006: Jaheim – The Chosen One
- 2006: Cam'Ron – Something New
- 2005: Beanie Sigel – Flatline, Oh Daddy, Tales of a Hustler
- 2005: Nicole Wray – If I was Your Girlfriend
- 2005: Rell – Real Love
- 2005: Young Gunz – What We Gotta Do
- 2005: Lost Boyz – Lets Go, My Way
- 2004: Young Gunz – That's Right
- 2004: Jim Jones – Capo Status,Take. 1 Take 2, Final Take
- 2004: Diplomats – Duty Clap
- 2003: State Property – Temporary Relief, State Prop You Know Us
- 2003: GZA – Did Ya Say That
References
edit- ^ "Breakthru Radio". Archived from the original on December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ "Hip Hop Production Block | Rap Producers – Beats". Rapindustry.Com. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Roc A Fella Producer Boola Talks Jayz And Dame Before Break Up". YouTube. April 7, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Don't Call It A Comeback: Boola Interview". Theaudrecatalog.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Sound Off". BET. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Mitsue/Basketball Wives".
- ^ "Produced By Boola Music Series". Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "VIBE.com". VIBE.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "Produced By Boola Music Series". Thesource.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Boola live on BET". Thatsenuff.com. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "106 & Park 10/26 | BET's 106 & Park Countdown". C0untd0wn.com. October 27, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Vibe Premiere "Starting 5"". Vibe.com. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "The Source". Thesource.com. Retrieved November 1, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Boola returns with his new album; No Better Time Than The Present". Hiphopwired.com. September 20, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ "Boola – Kim K [Video]". HipHopStan.com. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) (June 5, 2012). "Boola "Kim K"". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ Steve Raze (@SteveRaze) (September 21, 2012). "MIXTAPE DOWNLOAD: @BoolaGotBeats: No Better Time Than The Present". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved November 1, 2012.