Kafani
Amir Ashad, (born January 1, 1981) better known by his stage name Kafani, is an American rapper from the Funktown section of San Antonio, Oakland, California. He graduated from Oakland High School in 1998 where he played varsity baseball for the Wildcats. He is one half of the Oakland-based rap group Babyface Assassins. He is also signed to Thizz Nation, a subdivision of the late Mac Dre's label Thizz Entertainment.
| Kafani | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Amir Rashad[1] |
| Born | January 1, 1981 Oakland, California |
| Genres | Hip hop, west coast hip hop, hyphy |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 2007 - present |
| Labels | Ice King Music, Big Cat Records, Sumo Productions, Thizz Nation, E1 Music |
| Associated acts | Bobby V, The Jacka, Yukmouth, Keak da Sneak |
Legal issues & Controversies
In February 2008, he was arrested on weapons and drug charges following a high speed car chase.[2]
On August 26, 2011, rumors were that Kafani started a feud with Lil B when he told the rapper in a YouTube video "When I come off house arrest I'm gonna embarrass your bitch ass."[3] However Kafani denied this and police investigators never found evidence of foul play by either party.
In November 2011, the son of Kafani's cousin, a one-year-old boy named Hiram Lawrence, was fatally shot, the victim of a random shooting in West Oakland.[4] Initial reports indicated a crowd was present at the filming of a music video for the Oakland-based rapper. Kafani said the crowd had gathered outside the liquor store to film a music video, but that he was not involved, nor present, during the filming.
On September 28, 2013, Kafani was shot several times in East Oakland after shooting a music video.[5][6] He was permanently paralyzed from the waist down.[7] On October 18, 2013, he spoke for the first time since the shooting, in which he said "Took 5 shots they say I might not walk again but I'm on God's team so I know I'm going to win.".[8] Kafani has launched a crowdfunding campaign with a concert on Sept 12, 2014 to acquire an assistive robotic device to walk again [9]
Discography
Studio albums
- Money's My Motivation (2007) - #6 Top Heatseekers Pacific[10]
- Movin' Mean (2009)
- Maserati Music (2010)
- Still Fast (2012)
EPs
- Cutie Pie, Pt. 2 - EP (2008)
- Need Ya Body - EP (2009)
- She Ready Now - EP (2011)
- Bay Area Boss - EP (2011)
Mixtapes
- Mr. Cranberry (2010)
- Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous (2011)
- De$tined to Rule (2013)
with Rayven Justice
- Both Side of the Tracks (2012)
Singles
- "Fast (Like a NASCAR)" (featuring Keak da Sneak) #24 Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[11]
- "She Ready Now" #22 Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[11]
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Cocky" | Philthy Rich, Peanut | Slap House, Vol. 4 |
| "East Oakland" | Yukmouth, Bart, The Delinquents, Dru Down, Tuffy the Goon, Richie Rich, Tajai, The Team, Beeda Weeda | Million Dollar Mouthpiece | |
| 2010 | "Take a Shot (Live By Night)" | Laroo T.H.H., Raw Smooth | Live By Night |
| "Da Town" (Remix) | Yukmouth, Richie Rich, Beeda Weeda, London, Agerman, Shady Nate, Lee Majors, G-Stack | Free at Last | |
| "Spontaneous" | Big Rich, Laroo T.H.H., P-Child | Built to Last | |
| 2011 | "Packs on Deck" | Philthy Rich, Hi Rolla | Loyalty B4 Royalty 3: Just for the N****s |
| "I'm Just Gettin' Money" | Philthy Rich | ||
| "Fresh on the Block" | J. Stalin, Young Doe | Diesel Therapy | |
| "They Mad That I'm Icy" | Messy Marv, Philthy Rich, Guce | Neighborhood Supastar Pt. 3 | |
| "All In One Night" | Rodney G | Sex Drive | |
| 2012 | "Touchdown Dance" | Prank, Smoovie Baby | MMXII |
| "Who We Are" | Laroo T.H.H., Kali Kash | Take the Stage | |
| "Came to Party" | Jinxshame, Rayven Justice | Cosmonauts | |
| "Don't Trip" | Laroo T.H.H., Turf Talk, P Child | Block Ops | |
| "Yesterday" | Traxamillion, Clyde Carson, Laroo T.H.H., Yukmouth, Balance | My Radio | |
| "Balla" | Stevie Joe, Philthy Rich | The Tonite Show with Stevie Joe | |
| 2013 | "Betta Chick" (Remix) | Nova Boy, Erk tha Jerk | The New Capitol |
| 2014 | "Gotta Get Mine" | Chop Black, Stevie Joe | Mercenary Mixtape Vol. 3 |
References
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Kafani
- http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/4/15592/1/
- http://www.sohh.com/2011/08/kafani_to_lil_b_when_i_come_off_house_ar.html
- http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Family-Baby-Shot-In-The-Head-134660473.html
- http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_24208889/oakland-local-rapper-critical-condition-after-saturday-shooting
- http://24hourhiphop.com/2013/09/29/bay-area-diss-tracks-turn-into-real-shots-fired-kafani-in-critical-condition/
- http://www.bet.com/news/music/2013/10/03/kafani-could-be-paralyzed-from-shooting.html
- http://www.hip-hopvibe.com/2013/10/18/kafani-addresses-the-public-for-the-first-time-since-the-shooting-with-instagram-message-photo/
- http://www.traxfoundation.org/campaign/help_kafani_get_back.
- https://www.billboard.com/music/messy-marv/chart-history/heatseekers-(pacific)
- https://www.billboard.com/music/kafani/chart-history/bubbling-under-r%26b/hip-hop-songs