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Afu-Ra
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Hip Hop
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December 2000
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www.afu-ra.com
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n/a
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n/a
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Sean Joyner
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It isn't often that a personality takes you completely by storm, that a character seems so powerful that you just have to stand back and let it do it's thing. When a man's previous efforts go practically unnoticed, and his every endeavor is an uphill battle, this is exactly the type of personality that is formed. Though his resume already proclaims him a successful graduate of the Gangstarr Foundation, and his portfolio includes appearances on Jeru The Damaja's 1994 LP, The Sun Rises in the East, 1996's Wrath of the Math, Afu Ra hasn't had it easy. In fact, the uphill battle for widespread recognition has just begun. His latest venture, entitled The Body of the Life Force, is available in stores now, and while the album, at times, seems like a diary into Afu's personal life, rest assured that Afu Ra comes off neither preachy nor braggadocio. Afu knows that his journey for success will be rough, and he is aware of the roadblocks which await him, including label complications, unconvinced fans and - of course - haters. Nonetheless, Afu Ra seems prepared for the long road ahead.
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URBNET The name, Afu Ra, where did it come from, and what is it's meaning?
AFU RA The name came from a book titled The Egyptian Book of the Dead. I was going through a whole Self Searching mission, trying to find myself. Changing my name was; actually, advise from a friend, who told me that if you change your name, it gives you a whole new outlook on life. It's a new beginning, like being born again. So I searched and found this name, and since I've used it, I can say that a lot of good has come. A lot of bad has come, too, but that's just life. Afu Ra means The Body of the Life Force, that's why my CD is Afu Ra, The Body of the Life Force.
Besides this album, from where might people recognize you?
They would recognize me from working on certain other works with Jeru the Damaja, on his first and second albums, As well, rockin' on a Tony Touch mix tape. Also, Me and Jeru and The RZA did a track for the Ghost Dog soundtrack. Other than that, I would guess just from the video myself and Jeru did in Hong Kong for Ya Playin' Yaself. [It was] the first Hiphop Martial Arts video, which Jeru got no credit for, but between you and I... Y'know?
If you hadn't put your time in with the Gangstarr camp, and experienced what you did with that group, what would you be doing as an Emcee today?
I'm not sure if I'd even be an Emcee. I was always friends with Jeru, he ultimately made some connections and met up with DJ Premier and Guru, they started working on his material. Me being friends with Jeru, that's what birthed my career, he was my man from the same neighborhood. If I didn't have the opportunity to work with Jeru and DJ Premier, I don't think I'd even be rhyming, 'cause it was Jeru and the ability to work with DJ Premier that gave the signals to even consider being and Emcee as a career.
So Jeru and DJ Premier were vital to your success as an Emcee?
When Jeru was in the studio everyday, I was with him. I went on several tours with Gangstarr and Jeru, so when you live on a tour bus with guys, you become like a family. The whole evolution of the Gangstarr Foundation came out of things like us doing shows and going on tours and traveling to the other side of the world, and experiencing each other on a common level.
How did you select which guest artists were to appear on The Body of the Life Force, and is there anyone that isn't on the album that you'd like to work with next time around?
I go about it two ways. One way, if I'm really feeling them. Everybody on my album, I was a fan of their music. So as I worked on certain tracks, that started to fall into play. I like to select my beats, and from there, if I feel that I want to get a guest on my album, I present that person with a track that they'll sound their best on. As well [I like to] have a relationship with whoever I want to work with. I've got to work with somebody who's going to treat my project like it's their project, too. I want to work with Andre from Outkast; I think he's dope.
What do you think of Stankonia?
I like it, but I'm not totally sold on it. I think Aquemini was better. [Stankonia] is good, but the other one was put together a lot better. I can't listen to the whole thing. I'd love to do something with KRS One; I think he's so ill. I'd like to do something with some Reggae artists, outside of Hiphop, like Mr. Vegas.
Out of the whole album, Body of the Life Force, I thought that the two Reggae influenced songs really stood out.
Myself as well, those are two of my favorite songs on the album. As well, I'd like to continue and do another track with some artists that are on my album, like Hannibal Stax and M.O.P. They're, like, the underground cats that are finally getting noticed. I wanted to do a song with homegirl from No Doubt; I wanted to get her to sing on a track with me, it's not just Hiphop I'm working with, that's just one side of the picture.
What's you opinion on the current state of Hiphop, and do you think the scene is getting better or worse?
Right now is one of the only times since Hiphop has been out there on a commercial level, that you have the ability for there to be so many different types of styles and artists, from Eminem to Common Sense. Everybody can come out and do their thing and be successful, and people really appreciate them, and they're viewed on a mass level. At one time, you couldn't come out if you weren't wearing a Muslim cap, or a back to Africa medallion. Now, everybody's being different. You have Jay-Z doing his thing; you've got Guru doing his thing. Now is the only time in history where you can have multiple types of artists, and they're all being supported, critiqued and all of their music is being appreciated. On the downside, within the whole corporate involvement of Hiphop, there's a lot of things going on that I wouldn't say are positive. You have artists that come into the music business that aren't educated on ownership, publishing and merchandising, and things of that nature, and they can get screwed around through paperwork and get robbed right before their eyes. As well, there's so many different channels that a label has to go through just to get records played on the radio. For the most part, if you're putting out quality music, and you're aware of your business, then I think that Hiphop, right now, is good. Not to mention that there's a tremendous amount of bling bling going on, and sex and naked girls all in the videos, that's just life. The true Hiphop culture is still there, it's just that man is going to reflect man, so when I look at that, I don't see it as Hiphop, it's just something that people are using as a scapegoat to get their message across.
But we've got artists like Eric B & Rakim, with Don't Sweat the Technique, and Q-Tip, with Vivrant Thing, who were very significant to the acceptance of mainstream Hiphop today, and they've fallen to those vices too, aren't they still considered Hiphop afterwards?
But that's when you've gotta realize that they're people, they're not perfect. Man is not perfect, and he's going to slip up and do certain things that are out of his character, so I really wouldn't put that on Hiphop. They have impurities, and are going to do things that aren't deemed to be socially conscious when they're used to coming out on the socially conscious tip with their music and image. You can't expect what's going on around them to not affect them. If you turn on B.E.T., you see - on every video - girls shaking their asses and big platinum chains, they're the hot records right now. You look on the Billboard charts, and those same artists are in the Top 10 right now. The bottom line is that nobody's perfect, and some people are not going to always please you.
You're obviously well educated, what do you think is the best way for people to get an education on life?
I'd say Self-Education, opening yourself up to many different forms of literature. I went to high school, and I always learned in school, but at the same time, I used to sell books on the street. Part of my job was being versed on the material I was selling, because people were always asking me what [the books] were about. Through doing that, it gave me a chance to read different types of authors and different forms of literature. I'd read about diet, and how the Indians live on the reservation, I'd say that's the best way to give yourself a mental grasp on what's going on in someone else's backyard.
So how do you feel about people relying on T.V. and the Internet to educate their kids?
I feel that it's good, but that's only one way. My daughter is 18 months old, and she thinks she can use the computer. She can't. But even though that's the mark of the beast, and it's gonna be the end of everything, they still have to be knowledgeable about it. I want her to be well read through literature, as well as knowing how to use the computer and load a program, and just walk her way through it. Through Internet and TV, you can find quality publications and broadcasting that you can really learn from.
What are some of the books you would recommend?
The book that changed my life was The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Alex Haley. That was a very influential book for me. Aside from that, I'd recommend The Metuneter, by Ra Un Nefer Amen. That's a huge book, I'm still reading it, and it's been seven years. It's just one of those books where you just have to keep reading it, it's a life book. For the younger generation, even though the title is Visions for Young Black Men, it can be applied to anybody. Also, Putting it All Together, I forget the author, it's a small book, but really has a lot of information.
E">What do you do to take your mind off of your problems, and relieve your stress?
I've never really been one that just zones out and focuses on one thing; I try and balance everything at the same time. I do Tae Kwon Do, and spend time with my family and extended family. But you can't [ignore stress], and you just have to not let it get the best of you.
How does your education and spirituality add to your presence on stage and record?
Being a spiritual advocate, and being knowledgeable to a certain level, you're able to look at yourself from the outside. I have the ability to not let myself get too excited, not to overexert myself when it comes to performing, that way I can deliver a quality performance. If you don't, you'll lose it. You won't be smooth at all, and you'll overpower yourself. You'll be yelling too loud when you need to be a little calmer, and vice-versa, but that's something you can only view after doing countless shows. The first show, I don't care how deep or spiritual you are, during your first show, all of that shit goes out the door. Each show you get better at setting yourself up before you perform. Before I perform, I like to do 100 kicks backstage, get a sweat going and get loose. If I don't, I have all of this anxiety built up inside of me and I'm ready to blow up.
What would you like to, ultimately, accomplish as an Emcee?
My goal as an Emcee is just to be recognized on the level of what I'm trying to do. I just want people to, collectively, see me for who I am, and that is someone who is into putting out music that you can enjoy, and have fun to, and maybe even dance to. At the same time, I'm very thought provoking. I'm into things that people may not be into right now, and discussing certain topics that people may not know the meanings to. If, though, I only talked to the heads that know what's up, it's the same as if me and you go into the corner and have a discussion, it doesn't matter what we say, nobody else can hear us. It needs to be out there on the levels of Jay-Z and Eminem, where the 85% of people on the street can view a conscious message, but at the same time, hear enjoyable music.
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