BUFF1
It’s not about keeping it real, or being true to the game, it’s about being true to Jamall Bufford. More than ten years after Athletic Mic League (AML) came together as teenagers, the men that fill out its roster have spent over a decade writing and perfecting their lyrical skills, while working out the most satisfying stage performances and opening for hip-hop’s elite acts. Following the underground success of their own Lab Techs-produced “Jungle Gym Jungle” in 2005 on Barak Records, the remaining six members approached Jamall, aka “Buff1,” with a new plan: it was time to bring him to the forefront as a solo artist.
In 2007, Buff1 found critical acclaim with the release of his debut solo album “Pure.” Real Detroit Weekly crowned Buff1 “Best Solo Rap Artist of 2007.” Okayplayer gave Pure 4.5/5 afros, exclaiming “this album, my friends, is incredible…classic like thriller jackets.” With deafening buzz still ringing from the blog-o-sphere, just a year later he released his second solo effort. In 2008, “There’s Only One” appeared on the iTunes Store homepage during release week, on many year-end lists for best songs and albums, and received rave reviews from XXL, XLR8R, illRoots, 2 Dope Boyz, and amongst many others, URB Magazine, who selected Buff1 to stand among their annual “Next 100” in 2009. After spending much of 2009 on the road touring overseas and in the US, including a 26-city run as direct support for Mayer Hawthorne’s “Lonely Hearts” tour, Buff1 released a collection of songs titled “It’s A 1derful Life” for his fans as a free download over the holidays. In 2010 he gave us “Ghosting,” followed by the boom-bap collaboration Crown Royale w/ DJ Rhettmatic, which paired Buff1 as MC to the World Famous Beat Junkie.
So whether rocking a party anthem, a political burner or soulful banger, or with a World Famous Beat Junkie, one thing is certain – Jamall Bufford consistently delivers. If you think there’s another like him in the game, keep searching…“There’s Only One.”
