A-F-R-O was featured on Novel’s “Young Monster” in 2019, which appeared on [[Power Book II: Ghost]] and BET’s Stopwatch America. He also made a guest appearance on [[Fortnite]]’s song “Lil Whip (Mmm!)” in 2022.
A-F-R-O was featured on Novel’s “Young Monster” in 2019, which appeared on [[Power Book II: Ghost]] and BET’s Stopwatch America. He also made a guest appearance on [[Fortnite]]’s song “Lil Whip (Mmm!)” in 2022.
=== Production career ===
Starting 2024, A-F-R-O focused on producing for numerous artists including MotionPlus, EKYM1536, Pulse Reaction, [[Elena Charis]], MZ1, and Emsee Prospekt.
Starting 2024, A-F-R-O focused on producing for numerous artists including MotionPlus, EKYM1536, Pulse Reaction, [[Elena Charis]], MZ1, and Emsee Prospekt.
A-F-R-O arranged a song titled “Posse Part 3,” on December 27, 2024. which features 80 emcees on a single track. [[Psycho Les]], Blu, Jon Connor, [[Myka 9]], and Reverie are among the large roster. The video was nominated for Best Music Video at IndieX Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-03 |title=Genre Categories: Nominations for March/April 2025 |url=https://indiexfest.com/genre-categories-nominations-for-march-april-2025/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=IndieX Film Fest |language=en-US}}</ref>
A-F-R-O arranged a song titled “Posse Part 3,” on December 27, 2024. which features 80 emcees on a single track. [[Psycho Les]], Blu, Jon Connor, [[Myka 9]], and Reverie are among the large roster. The video was nominated for Best Music Video at IndieX Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-03 |title=Genre Categories: Nominations for March/April 2025 |url=https://indiexfest.com/genre-categories-nominations-for-march-april-2025/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=IndieX Film Fest |language=en-US}}</ref>
A-F-R-O released a self-produced compilation full-length album, “”[[Trap Door (Compilation LP) (2025)|Trap Door]]””, on December 26th, 2025. The album features appearances from [[Reks]], [[Termanology]], [[Blu (rapper)|Blu]], J[[Jon Connor|on Connor]], and actor/comedian [[Will Sasso]].
A-F-R-O released a self-produced compilation full-length album, “”[[Trap Door (Compilation LP) (2025)|Trap Door]]””, on December 26th, 2025. The album features appearances from [[Reks]], [[Termanology]], [[Blu (rapper)|Blu]], J[[Jon Connor|on Connor]], and actor/comedian [[Will Sasso]].
=== Acting and television career ===
=== Acting and television career ===
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A-F-R-O aka FRO Thizzle |
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|---|---|
A-F-R-O in December 2025 |
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| Born |
James Dean Santiago-Gutierrez August 29, 1997 |
| Other names | All Flows Reach Out, FRO Thizzle |
| Occupations | Rapper, actor, producer, writer |
| Years active | 2014- |
| Notable work | The Breaks (2016), A-F-R-O POLO (2016), “Freedom Form Flowing“, CODE #829 |
| Height | 6’3 |
| Website | frothizzle.com |
James Gutierrez (born August 29, 1997), known professionally as A-F-R-O or FRO Thizzle,[1][2][3] is an American rapper, actor, producer, and writer.
Early life
James Dean Santiago-Gutierrez was born in Gardena, California. He is Black and Mexican. After living in foster homes, Gutierrez was adopted at the age of 5. He attended middle and high school in Orange County.
Gutierrez credits his grandfather for introducing him to oldies such as Al Green, James Brown, and The Temptations. After discovering the song Microphone Fiend by Eric B. and Rakim at the age of 9, he vowed to become an emcee.[1][4]
In September 2014, Gutierrez got in a car accident that left him with nine broken ribs, and two broken bones in his vertebrae.
Music career
Gutierrez, who adopted the stage name A-F-R-O, short for All Flows Reach Out,[1][5] was discovered by his hip-hop mentor, R.A. the Rugged Man[6] at the age of 17 after entering his “Definition Of A Rap Flow” competition.[7] [1] They soon collaborated on numerous occasions, including Gift of Gab‘s smash hit “Freedom Form Flowing,” which has gained over 12 million views on YouTube.[1]
A-F-R-O performed live freestyles on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2016[8] and The Queen Latifah Show in 2015.[1][4]
A-F-R-O collaborated with EDM producer NGHMARE on a song called “Stronger” in 2016. The video, directed by Colin Hanks, was a great success. It showcases A-F-R-O and NGHTMARE recording the song straight to vinyl with a live band.
In 2016, A-F-R-O teamed up with Brooklyn producer Marco Polo[1] to make an EP titled “A-F-R-O POLO,” which features Pharoahe Monch and Eamon. This project has nearly 10,000,000 streams, and is considered an underground success. [citation needed]
A-F-R-O was featured on Novel’s “Young Monster” in 2019, which appeared on Power Book II: Ghost and BET’s Stopwatch America. He also made a guest appearance on Fortnite‘s song “Lil Whip (Mmm!)” in 2022.
Production career
Starting 2024, A-F-R-O focused on producing his own projects, and also for numerous artists including MotionPlus, EKYM1536, Pulse Reaction, Elena Charis, MZ1, and Emsee Prospekt.
A-F-R-O arranged a song titled “Posse Part 3,” on December 27, 2024. which features 80 emcees on a single track. Psycho Les, Blu, Jon Connor, Myka 9, and Reverie are among the large roster. The video was nominated for Best Music Video at IndieX Film Festival.[9]
A-F-R-O released a self-produced compilation full-length album, “Trap Door“, on December 26th, 2025. The album features appearances from Reks, Termanology, Blu, Jon Connor, and actor/comedian Will Sasso.
Notable emcees who have appeared on A-F-R-O’s production include Slug of Atmosphere, Ras Kass, Psycho Les, Wordsworth, Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Tek, Blaq Poet, Ruste Juxx, 4-IZE, and K.A.A.N.
Acting and television career
A-F-R-O appeared in a scene for the film Good Time, but it was ultimately left in the cutting room.
After feeling discouraged, A-F-R-O landed his first official acting role in 2016 on The Breaks,[1] a VH1 television drama film about 90’s hip-hop, and returned to play the same character in three episodes of the TV series spin-off.[2] In 2022, A-F-R-O appeared as Moo in the horror-comedy film Bitch Ass, which also includes the late Tony Todd in one of his last roles. [citation needed]
Movie review career
In 2021, A-F-R-O started a movie review channel on YouTube channel titled FRO Thizzle Reviews.
Influences
A-F-R-O has named Sean Price, MF DOOM, R.A. the Rugged Man, GZA, Pharoahe Monch, Rakim, Kool G Rap, Chip-Fu, and Twista as his lyrical influences,
Other notable figures that impacted A-F-R-O are Denzel Washington and Jim Varney.
Critical reception
A-F-R-O POLO
Of his collaboration with Marco Polo on the song Long Time Coming, Vibe magazine wrote “A -F-R-O sounds off with takes his intermediate rhyming skills to a whole new level over Polo’s piano minor chords, distorted vocals, and hard drums.”[3] Acclaim magazine said of the song Joe Jackson “This is easily the best song on the EP, with a laid-back tempo that gives dude room to breathe.”[6] Subjective Sounds wrote “From a sonic perspective, A-F-R-O Polo is magnificent with a soundstage that grows as you increase the volume and doesn’t distort. The separation between elements is also superb…. A-F-R-O Polo is incredibly dynamic”.[10]
Other
The Current wrote “hip-hop has changed so vastly… the old school sound seems to have been completely snuffed out. That is, until the extremely talented 18-year-old rapper A-F-R-O (All Flows Reach Out) came onto the scene… this very talented individual has not only been given the opportunity to share his music, but also brought old school back”.[5]
Of Fro’s performance in Milwaukee in 2016, the Milwaukee Courier wrote: “Although A-F-R-O may look like a big teddy bear with an even bigger Afro, his bassy voice and ability to rhyme extremely complex words syllable-by-syllable could be considered rap genius.”[11]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Breaks | D-Rome | Television film |
| 2017 | Good Time | Credit only | Film |
| 2021 | Bad Deal | Moses | Short |
| 2022 | Bitch Ass | Moo | Film |
| 2024 | My Story | Thug | Short |
| 2024 | Huggin’ Molly | Michael – Missing Person | Film |
Discography
Featured on
- Diamond D – The Diam Piece 2 (2019)
- Novel – “Young Monster” (2019)
Solo projects
Modest World (EP)
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AFRODEEZEAK (EP)
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New Colonel in Town (EP)
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The Drawing Board (EP)
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AFRODEEZEAK 2 (EP)
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Crimson Fury (EP)
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AFRODEEZEAK 3 (EP)
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No More Patience (EP)
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Trap Door (Compilation LP)
“Junkyard Dawgz (feat. Jon Connor, EKYM1536, H3ro, & Ace of Chosen Kingz),” “Da Buck Stops (feat. Termanology)“, “Stop Frontin (feat. MotionPlus, Elena Charis, SuperBrownBum, & Pulse Reaction)'” |
Collab projects
A-F-R-O POLO (EP) with Marco Polo [2016]
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| At the Sideshow (EP) with 60 East [2023] |
The Bad and the Ugly (LP) with Stu Bangas [2024]
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At the Sideshow 2: Art House with 60 East [2025]
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The Bad and the Ugly (Chapter 2) with Stu Bangas [2025]
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| A-F-R-O & MotionPlus Untitled Album (LP) |
| Stu Bangas, Wordsworth, & A-F-R-O (LP) |
| A-F-R-O & EKYM1536 Untitled Project |
Projects that A-F-R-O completely produced (Other artists)
| At the Sideshow (EP) with 60 East |
Emsee Prospekt: Mind Over Matter (LP)
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MotionPlus: FOCUS (LP)
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MZ1: Razor Blades (LP)
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Golden Buddha: Buddha Paymilia (EP)
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Felcon: Thinking (EP)
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UcexHano: Island Born, Cali Raised (LP)
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Elena Charis (LP)
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MotionPlus: Antiquity (LP)
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Emsee Prospekt: Mind Over Matter Pt. 2 (LP)
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| John Jigg$ Untitled Project (EP) |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Garrett, Ural (February 2, 2016). “A-F-R-O: The Future Of Vintage Hip Hop Is In Safe Hands”. HipHopDX (Interview with intro text). Archived from the original on 14 Nov 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- ^ a b Centeno, Tony (10 February 2016). “Viva Chat: A-F-R-O Talks Life After ‘The Breaks’“. VIBE. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Centeno, Tony M. (15 June 2016). “A-F-R-O & Marco Polo Sound Off On New Song, “Long Time Coming”“. VIBE.com. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- ^ a b Depland, Michael (September 30, 2015). “Is This 17-Year-Old The Future Of Old-School Hip-Hop?”. UPROXX. Archived from the original on 4 Jan 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ a b DeRoss, Adam (2016-10-11). “Soundbite: A-F-R-O POLO by A-F-R-O and Marco Polo”. The Current. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ a b Ettelson, Robbie (2016-08-05). “No Country for Old (Rap) Men: Does A-F-R-O live up to the hype?”. Acclaim Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- ^ “This 17-Year-Old Hip-Hop Prodigy is Pushing Old School Sounds Into the Future”. The Hundreds. 2016-02-08. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- ^ Ivey, Justin (June 16, 2016). Givens, Terrell (ed.). “A-F-R-O Freestyles About Random Objects on ‘The Tonight Show’“. XXL. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ “Genre Categories: Nominations for March/April 2025”. IndieX Film Fest. 2025-05-03. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- ^ “A-F-R-O & Marco Polo – A-F-R-O Polo (Album Review)”. Subjective Sounds. 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
- ^ Deprey, Dylan (2016-12-17). “Hip-Hop Legend and Local Rappers Share the Stage”. Milwaukee Courier. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
