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Saafir

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Saafir
Saafir in 2020
Saafir in 2020
Background information
Birth nameReggie Gibson
Also known as
  • Mr. No No
  • The Shaft Sizzle
  • The Saucee Nomad
Born(1970-08-23)August 23, 1970
Oakland, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 19, 2024(2024-11-19) (aged 54)
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • actor
  • lyricist
Labels
Formerly of

Reggie Gibson (August 23, 1970 – November 19, 2024), better known as Saafir, was an American rapper, producer, and actor. He was also a member of the rap group Golden State Project (formerly known as Golden State Warriors) with Ras Kass and Xzibit.

Life and career

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Born in Oakland, California, he lived with Tupac Shakur and became a dancer for Digital Underground.

In November 1994, Saafir took part in one of the most notorious Bay Area rap battles, when he and members of the Hobo Junction went against Casual and members of the Hieroglyphics Crew.[1] The battle was broadcast live by organizers Sway & King Tech on KMEL's The Wake Up Show. Coverage of the battle in March 1995's issue of The Source[2] brought national exposure to the Bay Area hip-hop scene.[3]

Saafir made his recording debut on several cuts on Digital Underground's The Body-Hat Syndrome in 1993, followed by an appearance on Casual's Fear Itself in early 1994. He appeared in the film Menace II Society as Harold Lawson[4] and was featured on the film's soundtrack. With a deal from Qwest Records,[5] Saafir recruited the Hobo Junction production team (J Groove, J.Z., Rational, Big Nose, and Poke Martian) for his freestyle debut, Boxcar Sessions (1994). He recorded an album titled Trigonometry under the alias Mr. No No before returning as Saafir in The Hit List (1999). The Hit List was considered Saafir's attempt at commercial acceptance. The album featured production by Stevie J (made famous for his work with P. Diddy's Hitmen production team) and guest vocals from West Coast heavyweights Kam and Jayo Felony and controversial East Coast lyricist Chino XL. In 2006, he released his fourth album, Good Game: The Transition (ABB Records, 2006). The album covers the major transitions throughout his life, most notably his spinal tumor, and his conversion to Islam.[6]

Starting in 2012 Saafir's son, Saafir Gibson began to release music under the moniker Saafir.[citation needed]

Injury from TWA Flight 843

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On July 30, 1992, Saafir was one of the passengers flying on TWA Flight 843; he suffered a back injury as a consequence of evacuating an aborted takeoff and consequent hard landing, crash and fire.[7]

In February 2013, on Davey D's Hip-Hop Corner, Digital Underground leader Shock-G revealed that Saafir had begun using a wheelchair due to complications from his spinal surgery.[8] Saafir later appeared on Sway & King Tech's The Wake Up Show to confirm his condition and clear up some of the misconceptions stemming from Shock-G's announcement.[5]

Death

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On November 19, 2024, it was announced that Saafir had died, "at 8:45 a.m., surrounded by friends and family." He was 54. No cause of death was released, though Saafir had been struggling with various health issues for quite a while leading up to his death.[9]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ The Battle - Casual x Saafir - A Shomari Smith Short Film, retrieved 2023-11-15
  2. ^ Unikone (2021-01-23). "HipHop-TheGoldenEra: Documentary : The Battle - Casual x Saafir - A Shomari Smith Short Film". HipHop-TheGoldenEra. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  3. ^ "The Bay Area Rap Battle Heard 'Round the World". KQED. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  4. ^ "Menace II Society". IMDb.com. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Injured player in the game". Sfbgarchive.48hills.org. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  6. ^ "SAAFIR :: GOOD GAME: THE TRANSITION". 28 November 2006. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  7. ^ D, Davy. "Shock G of Digital Underground Explains Why Saafir is Bound to a Wheelchair". Word Press.
  8. ^ "Shock G of Digital Underground Explains Why Saafir is Bound to a Wheelchair". Hiphopandpolitics.wordpress.com. February 12, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  9. ^ Meline, Gabe (19 November 2024). "Saafir, Inventive and Dextrous Oakland Rapper, Dies at 54". kqed.org. KQED. Retrieved 19 November 2024. Saafir, the raspy-voiced Oakland rapper who infused the rhythms of avant-garde jazz into his rhymes, died on Tuesday morning, according to family. He was 54.
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