Raheem the Dream

Atlanta original

Micaiah Abdul Raheem, known as Raheem the Dream, was born in Atlanta and began rapping at high school talent shows, where classmates gave him the nickname that became his stage name. He emerged in the mid-1980s among the first generation of Atlanta rappers, working in the city's bass-driven style alongside peers such as Kilo and MC Shy D. That scene took its cue from the electro-driven bass music coming out of Miami and reshaped it for local clubs.

Breakthrough on radio

His 1986 twelve-inch “He Said She Said” backed with “Eliminator,” released on Arvis Records with arrangement credits for DJ Toomp and Mike Fresh, arrived as the local scene was taking form. On August 3, 1986, Kiss 104 FM program director Mitch Faulkner put his music into regular rotation, making him the first Atlanta rapper to earn steady airplay in his home market. The single “Work That Body” followed in 1988.

Tight 2 Def

As head of his own Tight 2 Def Records, Raheem issued a long run of albums: “Grand Theft” (1990), “U Don't Know U Betta Ask Somebody” (1991), “Down South Comin' Up” (1995), “Tight 2 Def” (1996), “Tight 4 Life” (1998) and “Can't Get No Tighter” (1999). His 1991 single “If You Ain't Got No Money” was later sampled on “Glamorous” by Fergie and Ludacris, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007.

Executive and mentor

Raheem also worked behind the scenes. He mentored the singer-songwriter The-Dream, who asked his blessing before adopting a similar name, and in 2004 he brokered Dem Franchize Boyz's recording deal with Universal Records. In 2016 Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed presented him with the Phoenix Award, recognizing his role among the city's rap pioneers.