Born in the Bronx, New York, in December 1984, Rapheal was raised in a household that placed a strong emphasis on the significance of the arts and education. Influenced by his mother, an illustrator, and his father, a painter, Rapheal's entrepreneurial spirit emerged at the tender age of 5 when a woman offered to pay for his drawings. These early experiences guided him towards opening a boutique clothing store during high school, specializing in customizable clothing and shoes.

 

After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in 2007, Rapheal embarked on a career as a graphic artist and animator for a major media network in Times Square. Following several years in the media industry, he made the decision to relocate to Dallas, Texas, in 2017, where he launched his journey as a self-employed freelance artist and designer.