Exposed Vocals Interviews M.Saafir
Marcus SAAFIR was Born in Raleigh, North Carolina. As a child, SAAFIR was part of a local choir at a church his mother attended in Apex, NC. Rather shy, lip singing was his forte before discovering he truly had a gift. Driven by his mothers belief of her child’s stardom, he became interested in music and the message we as listeners grasp from it. At a young age, he began to express himself through lyric, writing his first verse with his older brother at the age of eight. “Lyrics took me away to worlds I could control because I wasn’t ready to deal with the realities of my childhood.” Soon after, role models in his environment agreed that music was his calling. SAAFIR is a singer-songwriter/entertainer experimenting in Pop, Rock, Soul, R&B, Hip Hop & more. He is affiliated with Grammy award nominated producer Lee Major Kid of So Major Music, Immanuel Jordan Rich (Executive Producer) of Marques Houston latest album “Famous,” Earl the Pearl Monroe of ReverseSpin ENT , Reggie Huggins of Flynstonez Productions (KC & Jo Jo platinum album & Mary J Blige – Mary Album), & Nickelus F who is affiliated with Toronto’s very own Drake. Inspired by artist like Fred Astaire, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Prince, Musiq Soulchild, Silk, Kanye West, Nas and more, his rhythmic schemes, lovable harmonies and soul touching lyrics will bring you back to the better days. He has not released an official 1st album but does have a few mixtapes on line & singles on itunes, Apple Music, Spotify and more. Overall, the loss of his mother & her words of spiritual enlightenment brightens his journey to stardom. Jan 31st 1957 – Sept 30th 2008. “The mission is to get my brother off these streets! To inspire, and to change emotions that lead to changing the world.”-
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
M.Saafir: My story would seem typical to any family who came from nothing. The youngest child of a single parent mother of two who are ten years apart from one another. Almost failing the fifth grade. Almost failing the 8th grade. Not knowing that I graduated high school with a 3.0 until after transferring to my second university. Not to mention my mothers the reason for me attending college. Then losing my mother to her 7th heart attack on one of the biggest nights on my life freshmen year. Hence, my first mix-tape September30th which was the day that my mother passed; I also released the mix-tape on that date. But I was observing my life from a different perspective after her first heart attack at the age of six. Wrote my first verse at eight with my brother who now calls me big bro. It’s intense. But I’m so damn blessed. I grew up in North Carolina. Spent most of my educational years in the Raleigh/knightdale area. Attended college and plan to go back. Help my brother when I’m capable of doing so. But when it comes to what made me become an artist, I don’t believe I had a option to be something other than that. My life is art. My mother’s influence played a major role also. She sowed all the seeds that I intend to give now. She must have had a vision and knew to raise me a certain way; directing me towards something greater than myself outside the walls of society.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
M.Saafir: Well, there’s a story behind the inspiration of my “stage name.” At the age of 6, I wanted to change my last name to my mothers which was ‘Williams.’ However, she wouldn’t allow it and I’m glad she didn’t. SAAFIR is my actual last name. And the definition of Saafir is ambassador.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
M.Saafir: Well my first mix-tape “September30th” was released on DatPiff for free in 2011 http://piff.me/e12647c . My most recent project entitled “Pass The Aux” http://www.audiomack.com/album/msaafir/pass-the-aux was released for free on audiomack.com and actually trended. To an extent, free music is necessary; especially if you’re a rising independent artist. Unless you have a budget backed by a label that’s going to produce your single or album, your first bodies of work may be free if you’re not familiar with music business.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
M.Saafir: You will not get paid for your first couple shows. And I’m using the term couple lightly haha. But build relationships with venue owners, have experience in front of different crowds of people. Test yourself. In all, strive to be precise in all that you do. I am still a work in progress too. But beat your craft. Know your stuff. Do not be clueless to something that should be second nature. Know the business. Know what publishing is, read up on different contracts. Invest in books that talk specifically about what you need to obtain to take yourself to the next level.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
M.Saafir: I am inspired by many things; people, places, objects, love, movies, nature, the list could go on. So much can inspire one who allows it. Sometimes peeling the layers back to truly focus on what’s in front of you can inspire you. That’s what I do.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
M.Saafir: Yes I do have a website. And a band is on the way! You can visit http://www.saafirforever.com or my EPK http://artistecard.com/saafirforevermusic to find me directly and join my mailing list. I use many platforms to share my music. http://Soundcloud.com/saafiranddoc Soundcloud, http://www.audiomack.com/album/msaafir/pass-the-aux Audiomack, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkJOUrJMRNw Youtube, there are many consumers who use so many different platforms to find new and familiar music.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
M.Saafir: I wouldn’t spend much. However, I would invest in a few things that suit my interests. But that’s another topic. I would definitely fund my family reunion though! And give back through strategies that make a true impact on whoever receives the blessing.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
M.Saafir: There are so many loopholes in social media marketing. I’m sure there’s thousands of ways to promote. But Instagram and SnapChat are great marketing tools too. Twitter is a great tool as well. I use facebook too but that’s just different. Being an unsigned independent artist makes you the boss until you have true supporters who take on tasks that suit their capabilities to help develop and increase your brand. You cant, CAN’T do it by yourself. It’s possible, anything is possible; but at what cost?
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
M.Saafir: Well right now I am in the mixing process for my new single called Green Faces. It’s a pretty fun record to perform! I actually performed Green Faces at my listening party May 11th 2016. But yes, a new project is definitely coming! It’s all about timing.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
M.Saafir: Making music haha. No but seriously, music is my life. Lyrics are a true passion. But I know I am capable of so much more. Entertainment would solely be my forte. Whether it be the TV and film industry, fashion, humanitarian work or spiritual guidance. Simply just giving back in one form or another. We were created to create by a creator. We were given life. So we must give life back in our form of creating.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
M.Saafir: It’s simple. Know what you can and can’t handle when it comes to your workload and things you intend to take on dealing with your music career and every day life. I still currently work in the real world. I have 2 jobs as well as branding myself through cinematography. My hustle is an on going process and I do get overwhelmed at times. But, that is part of the process of following any dream. As long as my bills are paid, any revenue outside of that is strictly an investment to my brand. I do find time to sleep though.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
M.Saafir: Summer 16 is going to be promising not only for me but my supporters! I’m currently working on a new EP, possibly LP. I have a name for it. However, I don’t want to release it just yet. But know that this body of work will be innovative, inspirational, and whole. And as I record this project, changing the game will be one of my main focuses. If you’re not trying to change the game, you are wasting your time!