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Sa-Ra is an American musical group from Los Angeles, also known by its full name, The Sa-Ra Creative Partners. The group is composed of Om'Mas Keith, Taz Arnold, and Shafiq Husayn. The name translates roughly to "the children of God". The group's name, style and creativity are allusions to the similarly named jazz composer Sun Ra. Their music has been described as progressive soul, neo funk, and alternative hip hop.

History

Sa-Ra formed in the late 1990s from a trio of industry producers, musicians, and executives. The group’s discography includes songs with artists such as Jurassic 5 and Pharoahe Monch, and have collectively and/or individually produced songs for artists like Heavy D, Bilal (specifically his Love for Sale album), Dr. Dre, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Frank Ocean, Fonzworth Bentley, Jay-Z, John Legend and Goapele. The group had previously been signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label, where it planned to release their debut album. The label was dissolved by distributor Sony BMG, and the group signed a deal with independent label Babygrande.

Releases and recent music

Several singles and recordings have been released under the group's own name, primarily on independent labels such as ABB Records, Ubiquity Records, and Sound in Color and on various compilation albums, and include "Glorious," and singles "Double Dutch" and "Second Time Around." Newer material was released on the promotional SetUps and Justifications album sampler in mid-2006, including songs such as "Big Fame," "StarWars," and "Hollywood." Their "Second Time Around" single was released in CD format, and is generally available from major online retailers as well as iTunes. The group’s original vinyl singles ("Double Dutch" and "Glorious") were limited releases on Ubiquity Records. A full-length album, titled The Hollywood Recordings, was released on Babygrande Records on April 24, 2007.

In 2006, the group said that their sound is unlikely to gain much attention from MTV. However, beginning in 2009, Om'Mas Keith became a regular cast member on Diddy's MTV programme Making His Band drawing more attention to Sa-Ra.

Discography

Albums

• The Hollywood Recordings (2007)
• Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love (2009)

Appearances

• 2004: "Turn It Up", "Certified" (from the Krumbsnatcha album Let The Truth Be Told)
• 2005: "A Helluva Town" (from Impulsive! Revolutionary Jazz Reworked)
• 2005: "Deep Inside" (from the Platinum Pied Pipers album Triple P)
• 2007: "Space Fruit Interlude" (from the Talib Kweli album Eardrum)
• 2015: "Finale" (from the Ty Dolla $ign album Free TC)

References

1. Peisner, David (June 2007). "Sa-Ra Creative Partners: The Hollywood Recordings". Spin. p. 95. Retrieved January 23, 2021 – via Google Books.
2. Cordor, Cyril (n.d.). "Sa-Ra: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
3. Zeisloft, Jacqueline (May 16, 2019). "Anderson .Paak Takes It to the Bank on Ventura". Nashville Scene. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
4. "Best R&B Albums of 2016 So Far". Rolling Stone. June 24, 2016.
5. "Sa-Ra Creative Partners discography". Discogs. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
6. Anon. (January 31, 2013). "Bilal 'A Love Surreal' CD Release, Tuesday, February 12 at Highline Ballroom" (Press release). Carolyn McClair Public Relations. Retrieved July 20, 2020 – via All About Jazz.
7. Steve Yates (January 12, 2006). "Sa-Ra interview". BBC.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 9, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
8. Del F. Cowie. "The Force of Sa-Ra Creative Partners". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012.

External links

• Sa-Ra – official site
• Sa-Ra discography at Discogs

• West Coast hip-hop groups
• Hip-hop groups from California
• Alternative hip-hop groups
• American funk musical groups
• American soul musical groups
• African-American musical groups
• American hip-hop record producers
• Progressive soul music groups
• Ubiquity Records artists
• Musical trios from California
• Musical groups from Los Angeles