Afu-Ra Returns After Three Years With 'Something To Prove'
Published: Saturday - May 28, 2005
Words by Shaun "Scheme" Redwood & Jay Casteel
Afu-Ran (Photo: Decon)
Rapper Afu-Ra is prepping a brand new album, titled State of the Arts on LifeForce Records/Decon this spring. Returning after nearly three years, the rapper felt he had to come up with an album title that reflected where he was at in his life.
"I needed a title that reflected where I was mentally. State of the Arts is reflected in the way I'm living my life and in my realm of creating my music," said Afu-Ra, who debuted in 1994 with Jeru The Damaja. "My first two albums were laced with a lot of symbolism. With this one, my lyrics are straightforward and tighter."
While collaborations are few and far between, his combined efforts with underground hero Royce Da 5'9 and Masta Killa on the tracks "Pusha" and "Living Like That," are sure to please fans of gifted lyricism. Afu-Ra also experiments musically on "Rumble," a rambunctious song with an undeniable rock element, and on the dancehall infused party starter "Deal Wit It" featuring Canadian emcee Kardinal Offishall.
Additionally, the album features production from famed producer DJ Premier and PF Cuttin, among others.
While the recording process is one he enjoys, Afu enjoys the live performance a little more. "The stage is the bridge between me as an artist and recording artist," Afu explains. "In the studio there are times I have to get self motivated. Live, my people can see, feel and experience the passion I had when creating. The feeling I get onstage lets me know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing."
In support of the State of the Arts, which drops June 14, Afu-Ra will be performing on the Something To Prove Tour with Inspectah Deck and Planet Asia.
The highly anticipated Something To Prove Tour kicks off at the end of this month. Below are dates for the first leg of the tour, according to his publicist:
5/30 - Brooklyn, NY @ North Six 5/31 - Buffalo, NY @ The Icon 6/1 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's 6/2 - Kingston, ON @ Elixir 6/3 - Ottawa, ON @ Babylon 6/4 - Toronto, ON @ System Soundbar 6/5 - Montreal, QC @ Foufones 6/7 - Philadelphia, PA @ The North Star Bar 6/8 - Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone 6/9 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 6/10 - Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox 6/11 - Fairfield, VA @ Jaxx 6/12 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar 6/14 - Orlando, Fl @ The Social 6/15 - Tallahassee, FL @ Beta Bar 6/16 - Memphis, TN @ The Complex 6/17 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon 6/18 - Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves 6/23 - San Jose, CA @ Zoe Nightclub 6/24 - San Fran, CA @ Mighty 6/29 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards 6/30 - Victoria, BC @ Sugar Nightclub
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