Today we’d like to introduce you to Cedric (Amun-Ra) Huff.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hotep! Peace to the Gods & Goddesses!
I was born Cedric Huff in the college town of Athens, Georgia. Home of the University of Georgia. At an early age, I was blessed with the gift of multi-sensory communication skills. During the early 80s, my parents bought me a set of turntables, mixer, and a microphone. Hip-Hop became my life, purpose, and religion. I began creating & recording Hip-Hop music at the age of 14 yrs old. The 1st song I recorded “My Cat Heads”(parody of Run-Dmc’s My Adidas) received major airplay on the University of Georgia’s radio station 90.5fm (circa86) From that point on, my mission was to get a record deal. Between the ages of 14-16, I formed & was a part of a few hip hop crews, performed at many talent shows, talent showcases etc in search of management to help take the music to the next level. At age 16, I acquired a manager. His name is David Kidd. David introduced me to Jermaine Dupri. Jermaine was 15 years old at that time and he was producing and managing the girl Hip Hop group Silk x Leather. I was introduced to the industry early. Jermaine produced my 1st demo. I was 16 years old (circa 88). Also, during that year, I read the autobiography of Malcolm X. Which awakened me to the knowledge of self and gave me a higher sense of purpose with my music.
For the next two years, I perfected my craft by performing and recording as much as possible. As well as reading as much pan-African & pro black information I could find. In 1990, I relocated to Atlanta Georgia to attend Clark Atlanta University. I majored in Mass Communications (Radio, Television & Film). During that time, my manager David Kidd formed a management company with Ian Burke (founder of Xscape, Organize Noize, OutKast, Goodie Mobb, etc.). This was before Outkast was created. When Organize Noise was known as the U Boyz, before Tiny was in the group Xscape and when the Goodie Mobb was known as the East Point Chain Gang. Big Gipp was a solo artist. Me and my crew: C-Rhyme & the OCP(Tarik Top Cat Camp & Scott 1-800 Scott Free Lee) was on that roster. This was the time the music wave came to Atlanta. When La Reid & BabyFace touched down, we were next in line to shine… but due to being young, rebellious & creative differences we bounced from that scene and went underground. We felt that we could make better original music & retain our rights doing it independently. Hence Mass Comm Music was formed by producer/dj Tarik Camp, my childhood friend from Athens, Ga. With the assistance of my college mate Scott Lee of Detroit, Michigan; we cranked out underground classics & blessed many stages within the exciting & thriving Atlanta Hip-Hop underground scene (circa 93-96).
Also, in 1993, I was awakened to a higher level of consciousness thru the teachings of Dr. Malachi Z. York via my induction into The Ancient Mystic Order of Melchizedek & The Ancient Egyptian Order. I knew from that moment on that my purpose was to help enlighten our people and teach them the truth of our great culture using my music and film works. Due to the saturation of artists in Atlanta, I moved to Detroit with my partner in rhyme Scott Free in 1996. We landed an indie deal with Missing Link Records. Which was short lived due to the company going out of business. Detroit is where I harnessed my skills & mastered the art of emceeing. During my two years in Detroit, my crew the OCP & I created a great underground buzz.
In 1998, I moved back to Atlanta got married & formed the Hip-Hop duo Pure Energy. Composed of myself and my now ex-wife Amunet Ka. After a night of deep meditation & chanting, I received the name Amun-Ra. We released our 1st cd “AUM” (2000- Hathor Records) http://amun-ra.bandcamp.com/album/pure-energy-aum. I created my edutainment company Pure Energy Transmissions during this time as well. I felt it was time for me to create the music I truly wanted to create as well as create film productions that would help awaken our people. It was my mission & vision so I had to be the one that made it manifest. We release our 2nd cd: “A HIGHER VIBRATION” (2002-Pure Energy Transmissions) http://amun-ra.bandcamp.com/album/pure-energy-a-higher-vibration. Both are considered underground classics amongst the conscious community. Receiving great reviews, ”A HIGHER VIBRATION” was in heavy rotation on Atlanta’s wrfg 89.3 fm. Our last project, ”WAKE UP!! THE TIME IS NOW!!” (2004 -Pure Energy Transmissions), featured production and a song performance by Professor Griff of Public Enemy.
https://www.reverbnation.com/amunramusic/song/3142212-time-is-now-ft-profgriff–amunet
In 2008, I reconnected with Tarik (Top Cat) Camp (producer & CEO of mass comm music). As a solo artist Top Cat & I released “LET THERE BE LIGHT”, offering a refreshing alternative to the monotonous, materialistic music that currently saturates the airwaves. Available @ http://amun-ra.bandcamp.com/album/let-there-be-light & http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-there-be-light/id283713006.
On my travels, I’ve opened for great artists such as: James Brown, Run Dmc, Public Enemy, Jay Z, The Alcoholics, Crucial Conflict, Carl Carlton, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, Professor Griff, Big Boi and I’ve blessed the mic on stage alongside GhostFace Killah.
In 2010, I connected with Brooklynite The Ghetto Shaman. Together we are The Royal Immortals: Hip Hops New Paradigm. The synergy between us creates music thats ancient, prophetic, healing and helpful during this ascension time. The Royal Immortals with the assistance of the Supa Herus(crew 0f God emcees) was requested to perform at the Universal Zulu Nation’s 37th Anniversary @ the world famous SOB’s in Manhattan, New York. We were received well by the New York underground hip hop scene. We shared the stage with Hip-Hop Legends: Just Ice, The Cold Crush Brothers, P(Parrish Smith of EPMD), KeithMurray and X Clan! The Royal Immortals represent the force of enlightened Ancestors. Check out the Royal Immortals @ http://www.reverbnation.com/theroyalimmortals.
2010-2012, I continued to create music with The Royal Immortals & as a solo artist. I also began producing more music videos to bring visuals to the music. You can view my videos at http://youtube.com/Amun09.
I remarried in 2013 to the Goddess Alexis (Aly All) Huff. Not only did she become the mother of my 2 daughters but she also became one of my music producers & video editor. The Goddess has skills!!! Aly & I created many singles, maxi-singles & video productions. (circa 2012-2016) In 2016, I released my solo album The Sun Cycle produced by Djehwti Khepra Awsar El of Khemwest & the Wu-Tang affiliate group Harlem 6. Available at all digital store outlets. https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-sun-cycle-bonus-track-version/1099120769
(Pure Energy Transmissions). In between recordings, I perform at festivals & educational events.
Currently, I’m releasing an EP with master lyricist Ishues also of Athens Ga by way of New Jersey. Together, Ishues & I are known as HOTEP SALAAM. We released our single P.E.A.C.E.(Phenomenal Emcees Activating Creative Energies) on 4/27/2019 Available at all digital outlets. https://music.apple.com/us/album/p-e-c-e-phenomenal-emcees-activating-creative-energies/1459675602 (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_3-y_8NETcOur EP P.E.A.C.E. (Phenomenal Emcees Activating Consciousness Everywhere) is scheduled to be released soon. Stay tuned and in tune.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it hasn’t been too tough either. I have had many obstacles on my path. Those obstacles made me stronger & appreciate the journey. The only thing constant in life is change. I learned this early, so I was able to hurdle over those obstacles. Some struggles were not getting paid for shows & music or not being able to connect with certain audiences because of my lyrical subject matter. In time, I learned that my music is not for everyone. It’s for those that resonate on a higher frequency. Once I realized who my fan base was, that made it much easier for me to create from the soul.
AMUN-RA/Pure Energy Transmissions – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business Pure Energy Transmissions is an Edutainment Company which uses music and film works designed to enlighten people of color (specifically so-called African Americans, Blacks, etc.) of our true culture & spirituality.
My productions offer a repertoire of conventional “Hip Hop” and metaphysical nuances that creates a hypnotizing, spiritual experience. Definitely today’s feeling toward the ascension of humanity. The Hypnotic rhythm, beats, and vocals are syncopated into a conglomeration of Hip-Hop ecstasy which can all be found in my music. The lyrics bring you to another level of consciousness. Something the “conscious community” yearns for and quenches the thirst of the spirits. The lyrics bring you secrets of the ancients and methods that can take you beyond this world.
What I’m most proud of as a company is the ability to continue to serve the people. What sets me apart is my continued drive to help awaken our people.
In 2018 my wife and I traveled to Cairo, Egypt/Kemet. I filmed a video for my single Back To Pyramids. Historic! This is the 1st Hip-Hop video to be filmed in Egypt/Kemet at the Giza plateau. The trip to Africa was truly life altering.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is obtaining your goals and living a healthy, happy, comfortable life.
My criteria is to be truthful, treat everyone fairly & to stay away from negativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: Amun-Ra.bandcamp.com
- Phone: 404 441 2206
- Email: cedrichuff7@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amunra7/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMUNRA9/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/amunra7
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/amun09
Image Credit:
Alexis Huff, Natalie Pierce
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