Abra (rapper)

Not to be confused with Abra (province) or Abra (singer).

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Camino and the surname or paternal family name is Abracosa.

Raymond Mikael Camino Abracosa (born December 2, 1990), better known as Abra, is a Filipino rapper, hip hop recording artist and occasional actor.^[2] He gained mainstream popularity with his song "Gayuma" which became a major hit. When the music video surpassed 26 million views on YouTube, it was recognized as the highest number of views generated by any local artist at the time.^[3] As of 2025, the music video has reached 100 million views. Prior to his rise in the music scene, he was already well-known as a battle emcee in the FlipTop Battle League.

Abra
Abra performing in 2015
Background information
Birth name	Raymond Mikael Camino Abracosa
Born	(1990-12-02) December 2, 1990 (age 34) Pasig, Philippines[1]
Genres	Hip hop alternative hip hop
Occupations	Rapper actor
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2012–present (as solo artist)
Labels	Artifice Records Sony Music Philippines
Website	Abra on Facebook

Early life and education

Raymond Mikael Camino Abracosa was born on December 2, 1990 in Pasig, Philippines.^[4] He grew up in a family where his father was a professor and his mother did not play any musical instruments. By the age of 23, he had established his own recording label, Artifice Records.^[5]

He completed his high school education at Colegio San Agustin – Makati. He then pursued higher education at the University of Asia and the Pacific, located in Ortigas Center, where he graduated with a degree in Management.^[6]

Career

His career began in 2010 started as a member of the Pinoy hip hop group Lyrically Deranged Poets (LDP). He joined the FlipTop Battle League under the name Abra. In 2009, LDP released their independent debut album The Project and had their first major concert at the legendary Music Museum in 2010. The group won Best Urban Group at both the 2010 and 2011 Urban Music Awards, among other nominations.^[7] In 2011, LDP gained TV airplay on myx for the music video of their song Here to Own It, which made it onto the charts. Abra also became a major icon in the FlipTop Battle League and co-hosted on PTV 4's show iConnect.

When the FlipTop Battle League and Sunugan rap battle leagues launched in 2010, Abra was one of the first battle emcees to compete and gradually built his reputation. After a series of intense rap battles, he became recognized as one of the heavyweights in Filipino rap battling. Known for his compelling lyrical style and witty antics, he impressed both viewers and fellow artists, with his YouTube videos ammassing millions of views. Eventually, Abra was able to perform on live television, radio shows, and various events across the country.

In 2013, Abra and his label Artifice Records signed a major distribution deal with Ivory Music & Video.^[7] He released his self-titled debut album nationwide on February 21, 2014.^[8] He won Best Music on YouTube Award for his YouTube Channel called Abra TV at the 2013 Globe Tatt Awards.^[9][10] On March 29, 2014 he collaborated with Maja Salvador on the song Halika Na on her debut album Believe.^[11] On December 31, 2014, Abra released the music video for his hit single "Diwata", which featured Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar.^[12]

In 2016, the music video for his single Cerberus, featuring Loonie and Ron Henley and directed by Willan Rivera, won the Best Music Video Award at the Myx Music Awards 2016.^[13]

Discography

Albums

• Abra – self-titled album (released nationwide February 21, 2014)

Group albums

• The Project (with Lyrically Deranged Poets) (2009)^[7]

Extended plays

• Hendrix EP (2018)

Compilation albums

• Various Artists: Homegrown Hiphop (Universal Music Group, 2013)
• Various Artists: Juan dela Cruz: The Official Soundtrack (Star Records, 2013)

Singles

• "Abrakadabra"
• "Gayuma" (feat. Thyro Alfaro and Jeriko Aguilar) (2012)
• "Alab ng Puso" (Juan dela Cruz OST)
• "Ilusyon" (feat. Arci Muñoz) (2013)
• "Midas" (feat. Jaq Dionisio of Kiss Jane) (2013)
• "Bolang Kristal" (feat. KZ Tandingan)
• "Cerberus" (feat. Loonie and Ron Henley) (2014)
• "Diwata" (feat. Chito Miranda) (2014)
• "Sanib Pwersa" (feat. Raimund Marasigan) (2014)
• "Dedma" (feat. Julie Anne San Jose) (2014)
• "'King Inang Bayan" (feat. Reese Lansangan) (2016)
• "'Taya" (2018)
• "'Apoy" (feat. Shanti Dope) (2018)
• "'Stargazer" (with Gracenote) (2018)
• "'Liga ng mga bida" (feat. DJ Buddah) (2020)
• "'Pangwakas" (feat. Apekz, Mike Swift, J-Hon) (2020)
• "'Hipnotismo" (2020)
• "'Pantasya" (feat. Nicole Asensio) (2020)
• "'Kontrol" (44 Bars) (2025)
• "'Mais" (2025)
• "'Tarshey" (2025)
• "'Kry Bb" (feat. Haring Manggi) (2025)
• "'Olatz/Olanap" (2025)

As featured artist

• "Isang Jeep" - Loonie (with Hiphop22)
• "Label" - Myrtle Sarrosa
• "Halika Na" – Maja Salvador
• "Mine" – Pow Chavez
• "Tanyag" – Loonie
• "Halik sa Hangin" – Ebe Dancel
• "Gurl" – Father
• "Peque"- Apekz (with Mikerapphone)
• "ARÁL" - Loonie (with Apekz, Ron Henley)

Television and media appearances

Television

• The Voice of the Philippines (season 2) (ABS-CBN, guest performer)
• ASAP (ABS-CBN, guest)
• It's Showtime (ABS-CBN, guest judge / performer)
• Kris TV (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Gandang Gabi, Vice! (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Sarah G. Live (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Rated K (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Showbiz Inside Report (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal (ABS-CBN, guest player)
• Minute to Win It (ABS-CBN, guest player)
• Pilipinas Got Talent (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Banana Split: Ihaw Na! (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Bandila: Ikaw Na! (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Wowowillie (TV5, 2013)
• iConnect (PTV 4, 2012–2013)
• Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid (TV5, guest)
• Party Pilipinas (GMA, guest)
• H.O.T. TV: Hindi Ordinaryong Tsismis (GMA, guest)
• Celebrity Bluff (GMA, guest player)
• Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA, guest)
• The Ryzza Mae Show (GMA, guest)
• Flashbook (GMA News TV, guest)
• Front Row (GMA, guest)
• Aquino & Abunda Tonight (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Buzz ng Bayan (ABS-CBN, guest)
• Tunay Na Buhay (GMA, guest)

Film

• Boy Pick-Up: The Movie, as fictional version of himself (cameo)
• Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles, as Benjie
• Respeto, as Hendrix

Music videos

• "Gayuma" (feat. Thyro Alfaro & Jeriko Aguilar)
• "Abrakadabra"
• "Ilusyon" (feat. Arci Muñoz)
• "Alab ng Puso" (Juan dela Cruz OST)
• "Rejoice Haba ng Hair" (for Rejoice commercial)
• "Rejoice Ikaw na ang Malupit" (for Rejoice commercial)
• "WonderfulXmasTime"
• "Midas" (feat. Jaq Dionisio of Kiss Jane – Boy Golden OST)
• "Sanib Puwersa" (feat. Raimund Marasigan, for Colt 45 commercial)
• "Dedma" (feat. Julie Anne San Jose)
• "Diwata" (feat. Chito Miranda)
• "Cerberus" (feat. Ron Henley & Loonie)
• "Bolang Kristal" (feat. KZ Tandingan)
• "Pusong Dragon"
• "Piña Colada Freestyle" - Prod. by Yung Bawal (Abra, Apekz, AGENT2K, DZ SVG, PRETTYMF9INE)

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee(s) / Work(s)	Result	Ref.
Awit Awards	2014	Best Collaboration	"Diwata" (with Chito Miranda)	Nominated	[14]
		Best Performance by a new Male Recording Artist	"Cerberus" (with Loonie & Ron Henley)	Nominated
		Best Rap Recording		Nominated
		Music Video of the Year	"Ilusyon" (with Arci Muñoz)	Won
	2015	Best Album Package	"Abra"	Nominated	[15]
		Best Rap Recording	"Dedma" (with Julie Anne San Jose)	Won
	2017	Favorite Music Video	"Label" (with Myrtle Sarrosa)	Won	[16]
Aliw Awards	2013	Best New Solo Artist	"Abra"	Won	[17]
	2014	Best Collaboration in a Concert	"Artifice Unplugged" (with Rjay Ty, Alex Omiunu & Stick Figgas)	Nominated	[18]
MYX Music Awards	2013	Favorite New Artist	"Abra"	Nominated	[19]
		Favorite Male Artist		Nominated
		Favorite Music Video	"Gayuma" with (Thyro and Jeriko Aguilar)	Won
		Favorite Urban Video		Won
	2014	Favorite Male Artist	"Abra"	Nominated	[20]
		Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ		Won
		Favorite Music Video	"Ilusyon" (with Arci Muñoz)	Nominated
		Favorite Urban Video		Nominated
	2015	Favorite Collaboration	"Dedma" (with Julie Anne San Jose)	Nominated	[21]
		Favorite Male Artist	"Abra"	Nominated
		Favorite Music Video	"Dedma"	Nominated
		Favorite Urban Video		Nominated
	2016	Favorite Collaboration	"Diwata" (with Chito Miranda)	Nominated	[22]
		Favorite Male Artist	"Abra"	Nominated
		"Favorite Urban Video"	"Cerberus" (with Loonie & Ron Henley directed by Willan Rivera)	Nominated
			"Diwata"	Won
		Best Music Video	"Cerberus" (with Loonie & Ron Henley directed by Willan Rivera)	Won
	2017	Best Music Video	"Bolang Kristal" (with KZ Tandingan)	Nominated	[23]
		Favorite Collaboration		Nominated
		Favorite Urban Video		Nominated
Wish Music Awards	2019	Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year	"Taya"	Nominated	[24]