Underground MC
Raphi spent years with the Los Angeles crew known as
the Tunnel Rats before breaking out on his own to release an album. Joining the band in 1993,
Raphi (last name
Henly) went under the name
Shame for a time while he cemented his reputation as the pugnacious youngest member. Part of his aggressive behavior stemmed from his upbringing in an artistic household, where his mother (a Broadway actress) and father (manager for
Debby Boone) taught their son to reach his goal however necessary. Luckily, his reputation began to disappear as his talents began to overshadow his behavior in his professional and personal lives. He began guest appearing on other rapper's albums as well, as he began to become a live attraction in LA's hot rap scene. After almost ten years in the business, he decided to use his talents for smooth flow and thoughtful lyrics for a solo album. Stepping into the studio in the spring of 2002, the resulting
Cali Quake arrived in early fall of the same year. ~ Bradley Torreano