Track of the Day: Jafaris - 'Breaking Bread'

Dublin multihyphenate Jafaris is back with an Ignas Laugalis-helmed video for his latest single, 'Breaking Bread'.

Released via Diffusion Lab and Warner Music Ireland, with production by Sollow The Astronaut (Hxney, Sena & Suli) and additional production from Diffusion Lab’s Benza (Hare Squead, Super Silly, Soulé); the song deals with themes of purpose and introspection.

Having earned a searing reputation for his dramatic and cinematic videos, Jafaris embarks on a journey of self-reflection with a gritty, fresh outcome.

"This song is essentially about the loss of innocence and how my selfish pursuits of this career had led me to a place of almost figuratively selling my soul; a loss of innocence led to the growth of ego and pride, which lead to the death of a purer version of myself," the rapper, dancer and actor explains.

Photo credit: Diffusion Lab & Bobby Zithelo.

In the video, out today, Jafaris brings to life a place where his pride took him, surrounded by people and things that he doesn’t recognise or morals and beliefs he does not align with. As the visuals build and flick between colourful scenes with hard-hitting guitar riffs and beats, the talent becomes blind to the darkness lurking underneath the environment.

Camera phones flashing, substances everywhere you can see and negative influences leading him astray, the conclusion of the video is gruesome as the underlying metaphor comes to life.

Marking his first release of the year - and hopefully not the last - the powerful track showcases a different side to the hip-hop artist and actor. Having spent time away to create new music and upon reflection Jafaris has returned and wants to focus on giving back to the community that built him up.

"‘Breaking Bread’ is me wanting to share more information about myself and how I’ve been experiencing growth," the STRIDE artist notes. "It is also me giving my supporters a glimpse into the vision of where I would like to take them regarding my art. Being the one in the limelight and receiving praise and success is no longer satisfying for me to experience it alone. I want all my peers and the people who support us to eat and be full too. This is just the beginning of that theme."

Live dates:

July 28th - Live On The Harbour, Dun Laoghaire

Credits:

Director/DOP/Edit: Ignas Laugalis
Executive Producer Diffusion Lab
Producers: Rachel Furlong & Finn Rankin

1st AC: Daniel Bolanos Meade
2nd AC: Seamus Duffy
Steady Cam: Akhilesh Patel
MUA & SFX: Niamh Flood
Set Design: Jake Conroy
Gaffer: Philip Bond
Best Boy: Kyle Walsh
Movement Direction: Tobi Balogun
Dancers: Juliette Sejean & Lidi Sant'Ana
Serial Killer: Raquel Wren

Grade: Naveen PA
Sound Design: Tom Joyce @Sound Canvas
Title Designer James Doyle
Motion graphics Elliot Ruddy
Extras: Fazira Zuko, David Costello, Rachael Akano, Dreddy