Saafir: The Life & Legacy Of A Legend
Saafir, born Reggie Gibson on August 23, 1970, in Oakland, California, was an influential American rapper, producer and actor. He handed away on November 19 on the age of 54.
There’s a tune I take heed to on the common. I take heed to it a lot, it can actually be on my Spotify yr in evaluate. That tune known as “3 Card Molly” and it options Xzibit, Ras Kass and the late Saafir. Casually doom-scrolling, I got here throughout some unhealthy information: Saafir had died.
Most individuals hadn’t heard the title a lot, however I did. Most just lately, X to the Z name-checked him on his dramatic comeback tune, wildly named “Play This At My Funeral.” However Saafir was a lot, way more than a point out in a tune. He helped outline an period, a swagger and the very core of Hip-Hop itself.
After Xzibit, radio and rap legend Sway Calloway was the primary individual that got here to my thoughts and he offers a chook’s eye view of the late MC’s legacy.
“Saafir is the quintessential Oakland MC,” he informed AllHipHop in a press release. “He represented the truth, hustle, charisma and intelligence of The Bay. He went from battling to the film display and by no means compromised his integrity. He was additionally my brother. King Tech and I cherish the music we did collectively and the celebration of life. He’s a World Well-known Wake Up Show staple. The Hobo Junction versus Souls of Mischief battle is etched in Hip-Hop historical past. “
That’s a reality. That battle reverberated all the way in which to the East Coast, the place I’m from. It was a decidedly Hip-Hop second that captivated the tradition and streets. In truth, there’s a brief, dope documentary by Shomari Smith, which will be seen beneath.
Earlier than the battle, Saafir was already a hood movie star after making his Hollywood debut within the film Menace II Society as Harold Lawson. Earlier than that, the budding legend started his profession as a dancer for Digital Underground and shared a residence with future icon Tupac Shakur. Finally, he made his recording debut on Digital Underground’s 1993 album, The Physique-Hat Syndrome.
By the point Saafir launched his debut album, Boxcar Periods, below Quincy Jones’s Qwest Data, he was licensed by Hip-Hop devotees. Periods was a break from conference, punctuated by its jazz-influenced beats and Saafir’s distinctive lyrical type. He continued to create moments. He was in Hobo Junction and Golden State Venture (previously generally known as the Golden State Warriors) with the aforementioned Xzibit and Ras Kass.
Saafir virtually didn’t make it to appreciate any of his accomplishments.
Hip-Hop historian, activist and journalist Davey D mentioned the rapper’s existence was a miracle. “Saafir survived a aircraft crash and I’m actually unsure if he ever actually healed from that,” he mentioned.
On July 30, 1992, earlier than all of his accolades, Saafir was one of many passengers flying on TWA Flight 843, a aircraft that crashed and exploded. The younger man, then 21-years outdated, suffered a horrible again damage after he jumped from the aircraft, an estimated three-story fall.
“I bear in mind when he informed me in regards to the aircraft crash,” Davey D mentioned. “It was the primary time he had ever talked about it. He introduced it up throughout a reside interview. We had been so surprised [that] we forgot we had been on the air and needed to go to interrupt to compose ourselves.”
No person died on the aircraft, however Saafir continued to endure vital well being points over time. He underwent spinal surgical procedure to take away a cancerous tumor, which pressured him right into a wheelchair.
Saafir handed away on November 19 in his hometown of Oakland. The reason for demise hasn’t been publicly disclosed, however he fought for a protracted interval. Realizing I had by no means met an artist I held in such excessive regard, I instantly started speaking to these friends that knew his legacy higher that myself.
Adisa Banjoko, generally known as Adisa the Bishop, got here up as a one-time rapper, publicist and journalist in The Bay throughout Hip-Hop’s Golden Period.
“I went to Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley to go to Saafir Sunday afternoon,” Banjoko mentioned. “I met him in 1989 by my homies within the rap crew Varied Blends in a storage. He was at all times a reduce above. His bodily and lyrical depth was arguably unmatched in his time. He spit a rhythm within the storage about not snitching known as ‘I’ll Do the Time.’ I don’t suppose it was ever launched. I knew he was a legend.”
Banjoko mentioned they turned nearer as they acquired older and wiser.
“I transformed to Islam in 1990,” he mentioned. “He transformed within the early 2000’s and we bonded deeper between our religion and our love for Hip-Hop.”
Saafir continued to launch music throughout this time.
He recorded Trigonometry in 1998 (the identical yr AllHipHop was born) below the moniker Mr. No No however went again to Saafir on The Hit Listing the next yr. The Hit Listing featured an assortment of legends like Unhealthy Boy producer Stevie J, Kam, Jayo Felony and the late, nice Chino XL. Good Recreation: The Transition can be his final album, launched in 2006 on ABB Data.
Regardless of his demise, Saafir actually lives on— in spirit, power and even flesh.
“West Oakland misplaced a 5-Star common,” Banjoko mentioned. “Saafir shifted the extent of lyrical respect Oakland and the entire West Coast acquired. There’ll by no means be one other like Shaft Yella.”
“Like to his household and children,” Sway mentioned. “We are going to maintain his legacy alive for positive.”
Saafir’s son now raps below the identical title. On Instagram, he makes use of the deal with @lilsaafir. He hasn’t commented on his father’s passing on the time of this writing.
Saafir’s contributions to Hip-Hop, notably inside the West Coast scene, however not restricted to, won’t ever be forgotten. On IG, I commented the next:
“#saafir was “a type of” – a gritty, underrated, underground emcee from The Bay. It ought to be famous that he was reppin lyricism on the time when #gfunk was the dominant sound from the West. It must also be famous that he didn’t sound like ANY different rapper then or now. So particular and distinctive in his bars, cadence and elegance. I actually favored him as an artist and tremendously appreciated him.”
RIP, Saafir aka The Saucee Nomad.
The un-edited medic, on the reduce, with a level in metaphysics
A health care provider, with loads of sufferers/persistence
And perseverance — flows like an ocean liner
That sails/gross sales like a clearance, I’m bilingual
Fly like a flamingo, I’m a pitcha, all the pieces I freak
I warmth like Al Pacino, you don’t like me child
You ain’t glad, you want some Ecstasy
Now you in my properties, however it’s a must to pay my fairness
For the bottom level in my character
I’ll attain the very best place in the home after I rock
Just like the Qu’ran, fuse sizzling, fluid with taste like buillion cubes
Been this manner since I used to be fourteen
And like this I been runnin s### with out using Sportscreme
Rippin up tracks like immigrant Chinese language, peep the sport I lay
I’m grim, I brim over my forehead after I rip
By no means write rhymes with slim fingertips
Every syllable you select to make use of is mild as a flower
Hold tryin to go gold
However all you’re gettin is a g############
