• Genre :: Urban/Hip hop
• Listen :: I'm Clean
• View :: Band Website | Demonterious "Double D." Lawrence's Blog
• download :: HiRes Image

AFAR is an instrumental hip-hop band with jazz, R&B and gospel influences. Committed to pushing the boundaries of the way hip-hop defines itself, the group focuses on three concepts: live music, unity and education. Through performances, recordings and educational workshops both nationally and abroad (including their participation in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad tour to Southern Africa in 2006), the band seeks to spread the message that in this age of electronic music, live instrumental performance remains the source of it all.

Demonterious "Double D." Lawrence (bass) is AFAR's only completely self-taught musician. After an early introduction to gospel music in church, he began playing drums with gospel artists such as Viki Winans, Angela Spivey and The Williams Brothers. A few years later, Lawrence adopted the bass in order to expand his musical knowledge and versatility. He has since expanded into the genres of hip-hop, R&B, jazz and rock and currently works as a session musician in Atlanta, Georgia.

Marc Baldwin (guitar), a Raleigh, North Carolina native, has been performing, producing and educating since the age of 14. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance/Composition at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He has performed at major sporting events including the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and MLB's Atlanta Braves. On the production side of the microphone, he has worked with MTV, EA Sports, Fox Sports, Phife of A Tribe Called Quest and DNS. Baldwin currently teaches guitar and bass at Georgia State University, Music Life Studios, Day Jams Summer Camp and the Reach AFAR program.

Jason "Jahah" Berry (vocals, lyrics) is an emcee, singer, songwriter and producer who penned his first song at the age of 15. He has appeared as a guest on albums by GRAMMY® winning rapper, Speech, from the group Arrested Development. Berry's tracks have been featured on network television including Fox Sports, MTV, VH1, UPN and programs such as The Super Bowl, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association's Rhythm 'n Rims, as well as, in various video games. Berry also released an independent album entitled Mama's Only Son in 2004.

Che "BlackFist" Marshall (drums) is a resourceful and inventive drummer from Atlanta, Georgia. Marshall taught himself to play on pots and pans before beginning his formal musical training in middle school. After honing his craft in the church, he played professionally with Julie Dexter a.k.a. "The United Kingdom's Queen of Soul."