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. 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 brought national exposure to the Bay Area hip-hop scene. 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 and was featured on the film's soundtrack. With a deal from
Qwest Records, 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. Starting in 2012 Saafir's son, Saafir Gibson began to release music under the moniker Saafir. ==Injury from TWA Flight 843==