New To Hot Press: Jafaris

Percy Chamburuka (or Jafaris as he’s better known) already has a long resumé, with work as a rapper, actor, dancer and poet. His latest project is the video to his new track, ‘Love Dies’, in which he wanders the streets of Dublin looking for a lost lover. “We actually had two versions of that at first,” he explains. “The first one was more theatrical, which was great, but it didn’t represent me as an artist and what I was trying to do. Essentially the song is about my experience in a relationship, and how there’s so many ups and downs – but she’s always there, that love still hasn’t died.”

Those who haven’t seen the video might still recognise Jafaris from his role as Ngig in the movie Sing Street. “Just being part of that cast was amazing, and they were all great. I was blessed with that. It was great working with Jack Reynor; I was gravitating toward him ’cause I’d seen his work. I was asking him all these questions, trying to pick his brain ’cause I was so new to acting, and he let me know everything.”

Just as with acting, Jafaris was keen to ask questions when developing his career as a rapper, and he knew exactly who to ask.

“I had a conversation with my dad. He didn’t really want me to do the music thing, but he said, if you’re gonna do it, make sure you really talk about something. So I stepped back. I stopped listening to a lot of beats, and started working on my pen, then started putting it on a beat, then added a flow to it. I think the poetry and the music work hand in hand, they help each other.”

See: Jafaris plays The Workman’s Club on April 1

Hear: His new track ‘Love Dies’ is available now.