Ahmad Ali Lewis (born in 1976 in Los Angeles, California), is a West Coast hip hop performer. Credited simply as Ahmad or Ahmad Jones (he is a part of the 4th Avenue Jones crew), he is best known for his hit single, 1994's "Back in the Day", a nostalgic song that has become somewhat of a clichéd signifier for nostalgia in hip-hop culture. Released when Ahmad was only 18, "Back in the Day" hit #26 on the US pop charts and #19 on the U.S. R&B charts on the strength of its catchy hook - a sample of the Teddy Pendergrass' "Love TKO" - and Ahmad's quirky vocal style, reminiscent of Fatlip of fellow West Coasters Pharcyde. It was the major single off his first and only album, Ahmad. A remix of "Back in the Day" is featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 film "The Wood". A second album was recorded for Giant Records sub-label Revolution, but it was unreleased. After accepting Christ as his savior, Ahmad abruptly retired from the music business and devoted himself to full-time ministry. After a two year layoff, Ahmad formed Lookalive records, and went on to found the rock/soul/hip-hop group 4th Avenue Jones. In 2002, 4th Avenue Jones secured a recording contract with Interscope records, through Ahmad's imprint Lookalive records. The bands righteous musical content contributed to their artistic disagreements with Interscope, and their album "No Plan B pt. 2" was never released. 4th Avenue Jones has toured extensively, performing for fans in Sweden, Denmark, Canada, the U.K., Holland, and most of the United States. The band has shared the stage with such notables as James Brown, The Roots, Sheryl Crow, Black Eyed Peas, and KRS-ONE. 4th Avenue Jones' music is featured in the Christian video game Dance Praise. The song "Stereo" is included with the game. The group also covered dc Talk's song "Jesus Freak" for the complition tribute album, Freaked!. Ahmad is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in sociology, writing a non-fiction book, and he and his wife Tena Jones are recording solo albums. Meanwhile, Ahmad and the 4th Avenue Jones continue to tour, and make guest appearances with groups such as Mars Ill, DJ Maj, and GRITS. 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: State California County Los Angeles County Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ... West Coast hip hop, also known as West Coast rap or California hip hop, is a style of hip hop music that originated in California in the early 1980s. ... 4th Avenue Jones is an American hip hop band based in Los Angeles, California. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... Back in the Day is a 1994 West Coast hip hop single by Ahmad. ... Nostalgia currently describes a longing for the past: Often an idealized and unrealistic past The term was originally coined in 1678 by Johannes Hoffer (1669-1752) from Greek (νόστος = nostos = ones homeland, άλγος = algos = pain/longing) roots, to refer to... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Hip hop is a cultural movement that began among urban African Americans in New York City in the early 1970s, and has since spread around the world. ... Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, Sr. ... The Pharcyde is one of the most celebrated underground West Coast alternative hip hop acts. ... Back in the Day is a 1994 West Coast hip hop single by Ahmad. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Wood is a 1999 comedy-drama-romance film, written by Rick Famuyiwa and Todd Boyd, and directed by Rick Famuyiwa. ... Giant Records was launched as a joint-venture with Warner Bros. ... Christian video games refer to Christian-themed computer and video games. ... Dance Praise is a Christian rhythm video game for PC. Published by Digital Praise, it utilizes contemporary Christian music, and a Dance Dance Revolution-type USB dance pad to provide a non-secular alternative to rhythm games. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The song Jesus Freak is the title track to the 1995 CD by Christian band dc Talk. ... Freaked! is a tribute album which is being released by Gotee Records on June 20, 2006. ... Mars Ill is a hip hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia signed to Gotee Records. ... DJ Maj is Toby Macs deejay, contributing to other Christian rap albums such as those released by Grits and Ill Harmonics, and also to less related groups such as DC Talk and Newsboys. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Discography

Albums

• 1994: Ahmad (Giant/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records)

With 4th Avenue Jones: Ahmed is a common Arab given name. ...

• 2005: Stereo: The Evolution of Hiprocksoul
• 2004: "Respect"
• 2003: "Hiprocksoul"
• 2002: "Gumbo"
• 2002: No Plan B pt. 2
• 2000: No Plan B"

Singles

• 1994: "Back in the Day" (US #26)

With 4th Avenue Jones: Back in the Day is a 1994 West Coast hip hop single by Ahmad. ...

• 2005: "Stereo"
• 2002: "Move On"
• 2000: "Respect"

Videos:

• 2005: "Stereo"
• 2002: "Move On"
• 1996: "Come Widdit'"
• 1994: "Back In The Day"

External links

• Ahmad at PoemHunter.com
• 4th Avenue Jones