AraabMUZIK is the stage name of Abraham Orellana, a producer from Providence, United States. Born in 1989, he works in hip hop, EDM and trap EDM, and is also associated with instrumental hip hop and trance.

Early life and background

Orellana grows up in Providence and is the middle child in a family with two siblings. He starts drumming at the age of three and later begins working with keyboards and making his own music at around 10. He is of Dominican and Guatemalan heritage, and says that this background influences his music to some degree. His mother is a former professional singer, and he grows up around music from an early age.

Style and performance

AraabMUZIK becomes known for his rapid MPC performance style, using the sampler with fast, rhythmic hand movements. He performs live on an MPC and is booked by clubs for these shows, which he sees as a way to present a distinctive sound and style. He says he usually completes a beat in about 10 to 15 minutes and does not rely on drugs or alcohol for creativity.

Production background

He moves from keyboard-based production to software and then to the MPC as his skills develop. Early beats are longer, often lasting three to four minutes, and he says his interest is first driven by wanting to hear and make his own music. His production style is shaped by a range of hip hop producers, including Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Alchemist, Just Blaze, Scram Jones, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, Hi-Tek, DJ Khalil and the Heatmakerz.

Collaborations and work with other artists

AraabMUZIK has work associated with Dipset members Cam’Ron, Duke Da God and Hell Rell. He also shops beats to Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Cassidy, Gucci Mane, Young Dro and Fabolous.

Identity and place

He says he remains strongly connected to Providence and notes that there is an active hip hop scene there, even if the city is not widely recognised in the genre. He also says that growing up there allows him to avoid some of the experiences faced by people in larger nearby cities.