Afu comes equipped

>> MC Afu-Ra spits knowledge on record deals, Jeru and self-confidence

by SCOTT C

Fans of Gangstarr will recognize the fact that the affiliation of unknown MCs with Guru and Premier has lead to some notable careers in the hip hop game. Guys like Jeru, Group Home and even Freddie Foxx might have been lost talents if not for the exposure brought to them by rolling with the supergroup. Afu-Ra, who played Jeru's voice of reason for two Premier-produced albums, has just released his own Body of the Life Force after several successful singles. Although not a Gangstarr Foundation project, the album approaches a level of quality that is indicative of where Afu has been, and where he intends to go.

Mirror: Sorry if I sound fixated or something, but I heard that you and M.O.P. were touring with Primo as your DJ. Is that true?

Afu-Ra: Absolutely not. I don't know where you heard that but my DJ is either going to be Spin One [Rocksteady Crew] or DJ Uda.

M: Why did it take you so long to come out with your own record? Didn't you have opportunities over the last five or six years to put one out?

A: You know it's not me, man. It's not really my fault. I was with one label and soon I had to get with someone else for whatever reasons. You know how it is.

M: Yes, I do. What about you and Jeru, do you still chill with him?

A: Yeah, we still cool, but there's some distance between us. There just comes a time in an artist's life where you gotta come out from under that blanket and just be you. A separate thing that isn't associated with anyone else. I just decided that I have to be the best Afu that I can be.

M: You're talking about the whole Gangstarr Foundation affiliation?

A: Well, more about me and Jeru.

M: What did you think of Jeru's last album, the one he produced himself?

A: Jeru was one of the dopest MCs ever, but I saw his shit start to go downhill on that last record. People ask me if I make tracks, but I already know if I take the time to learn how to produce songs, learn equipment and so on, my lyrics are gonna suffer. Everybody isn't Redman or Madlib. Jeru gets all props for shedding light on how to make shit tighter though.

M: What's it like making hits with Premier?

A: Man, it's never been a struggle with Primo, only myself. He's always blessed me with the dopest beats, but it was hard. I didn't believe I could do it--go from making no records to a whole album. I was like, "Can I do this?!"

M: You did it, man.

A: I guess I did. I'm just starting to find the magic that allows me to drop righteous and conscious messages. The blind, deaf and dumb cats will be able to feel it.

With MOP at Rainbow-Ites on Saturday, Dec. 2, 8pm, $17.50, all ages