On his sophomore LP Afu-Ra proves once again that he is a talented emcee to be reckoned with. What’s more is that Afu-Ra doesn’t fall to the same vice that plagues most great emcees – having unparalleled lyrics with weak beats; the music that powers the rhymes on Lifeforce Radio are diverse and right on target. Not only does Lifeforce Radio have these attributes but it also stays favourably away from misogyny and glamorized violence. Instead Afu-Ra relies on wisdom, poetics, and a good vocabulary.
The album, much like a continuation of Body Of The Lifeforce, is well crafted. Afu-Ra brings the same lyrical intensity that he has since appearing on Jeru’s The Sun Rises In The East. DJ Premier plays a big part in the production. “Lyrical Monster” is a raw demonstration of skills over a fired-up Primo track. Gang Starr’s Guru adds one of the albums many good cameo’s on “Blvd.” “Open” features Teena Marie and has a funky bassline that should get a crowd moving. With the clever sexual metaphors by Afu-Ra “Open” has all the makings of a party hit. Big Daddy Kane arrives from obscurity on “Stick Up,” which is a track that may impress some but disappoint others. M.O.P. bring their hardcore style on “Crossfire” in what makes for another classic collaboration between these two artists. Even the RZA shows up along with one of his nostalgic beats on “Dangerous Language.” The sense of chemistry between Afu-Ra and the RZA is so good you’ll wish they’d tried it sooner.
Afu-Ra fans will be pleased that Afu-Ra has not sacrificed his style despite the fact that he has created a piece of music for which the audience will be much larger than that of the underground. To successfully bridge the gap between underground and commercialism is not an easy feat but Lifeforce Radio does just that.
