Just a sampling of the work released by the prolific Afroman
Afroman is bringing his froliciousness to Murfreesboro for the first time ever at Gilligan’s on Friday, Feb. 25, at 10 p.m.
With mostly comedic songs and tunes about partying, Afroman brings a party atmosphere and feel-good vibes to his shows. He doesn’t want to make music that he won’t be into himself.
“There’s some magic that happens,” said Afroman, “How can I move you if I’m not moving me?” He says his approach to live music was influenced by rappers like Whodini. “I want it to be the audio that would be playing for my best-case-scenario party.”
Growing up in South L.A./Palmdale, Calif., Afroman started recording himself in eighth grade. He wrote his first rap in sixth grade, right when Slick Rick’s “Lodi Dodi” was hot, about a girl named Kerri who was a little stuck up and had just bought some fancy new clothes . . . ” but she also had a slight mustache.” So he was singing a song in front of her and all the school kids called”Hairy Kerry” about how her”lipswere very hairy.”
Now 37, Afroman recorded the hit “Because I Got High” in 2000. He also started “moving with the song” that year. He relocated to the Southeastern U.S., although it was hard to leave his home in California.
“I heard ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ come on as I left L.A.,” said Afroman laughing. He signed a deal later that year and has continued touring over the last decade. “I gotta jog some of this Colt 45 off,” said Afroman jokingly about how often he’s on the road.
Afroman was one of the first artists to gain national recognition through giving away free songs on the Internet. Most people heard his music by downloading “Becuase I Got High” and “Crazy Rap” through file-sharing programs like Napster. “Because I Got High” permeated mainstream culture, was featured in movies and nominated for a Grammy, and became a hit worldwide.
Afroman wants himself and everyone else to just have a great time at his shows. He even still plays “Because I Got High.” He said he thinks artists “might as well play their biggest songs…some people only get to be with you for a couple of hours before they have to go pick up their kids” or whatever they have to do.
