A member of the Likwit Crew alongside King T, Tha Alkaholiks, and
Xzibit, rapper Defari was bornin Santa Monica, CA. He began DJing
in 1982, moving on to MCing five years later. Music remained only a
hobby, however, and after earning a sociology degree at the University
of California at Berkeley he went on to receive a master’s degree in
history and education at Colombia, accepting a high school teaching
position upon graduating. In 1994, Defari recorded his first demo, soon
after meeting Alkholiks producer E-Swift; together they recorded the track
“Big Up,” which appeared on the 1995 compilation Next Chapter: Strictly
Underground. A single, “Bionic,” followed a year later before Defari signed
with Tommy Boy Records to issue his full-length debut Focused Daily in
1999. A career spanning nearly 20 years resumes with his latest release
Rare Poise. Entirely produced by Evidence (Dilated Peoples).

1. Acknowledgement Feat. Evidence
2. It’s Like I’m You
3. Take Me Away Feat. Brew
4. Church Piano
5. Break Wide Feat. Krondon
6. Rare Poise
7. Steeple Chase
8. Occupations Feat. Rakaa Iriscience
9. Mount Up
10. Who God Bless No One Curse
11. Champion Sound
12. Ralito’s Way
13. T.M.W. Interlude
14. Dedicated Feat. Phill tha Agony