Kansas City hip-hop artist splits life between rapping on stage and classroom teaching
Jeff Shafer has been involved in the Kansas City music scene since middle school. Performing under the name Flare Tha Rebel, he formed a rap group, Anti-Crew, before relocating, for ten years, to Chicago where he honed his hip-hop skills, and began a career in nonprofit education.
While working with the organization City Year as executive director, Shafer was given the chance to return to Kansas City and lead a local chapter of the nonprofit, connecting schools with mentors and tutors.
When Shafer, 38, came home to Kansas City he reconnected with his music network and was pleased to see the local music and arts scene thriving.
Today, he divides his time between inspiring students in the classroom and captivating audiences on stage with his powerful music. After taking a brief hiatus Shafer has returned to music to use his lyrics to tell stories of overcoming struggles and since his return he has been working to shed a larger light on the KC hip-hop scene.
Recently, Shafer sat down with The Kansas City Star’s culture and identity reporter, J.M. Banks, to talk about his passion for music, education and coming back to KC to build on the changes happening in the arts and in schools.
Banks: Can you tell me about your early life upbringing?
Shafer: I have been doing music since a young age and started in middle school. I came out with my first album in high school. I formed a group called Anti-Crew and we took the leap to Chicago, which is where I went to college and then lived for 10 years.
When I moved back to Kansas City in 2015 it had to do a lot with my current job with City Year, a nonprofit placing mentors and tutors in school to keep kids on track. I got the opportunity to open a site in the Kansas City School District serving the same school district I grew up in. So, I uprooted my life in Chicago and moved back to KC and took kind of a hiatus from music for a year by then. After that I really felt that void and was really excited to get back into music. I started reconnecting with a lot of folks from the local music scene that I had worked with back in the day and getting back involved with all the new opportunities that were thriving down here.
What made you want to get involved in music when you were younger?
I loved the energy that I got from music, but specifically from hip-hop. I view hip-hop as a culture which I am part of and so it has always been part of my lifestyle. I saw it as an avenue to express myself in a form of something uplifting and powerful. I go back and forth between doing music professionally and as a hobby.
Coming back to Kansas City, how do you think the music scene has changed?
I feel like things have really popped off in the local Kansas City music scene. I have noticed how vibrant the scene is and have noticed a lot more bands that are doing hip-hop. I am seeing hip-hop infuse itself more with live instrumentation which is really dope. I have been seeing a lot of dope shows, venues, festivals and things of that nature that have grown over time. So it is really cool coming back for me and seeing all of these new events and utilizing local talent.
What made you want to get into nonprofit work in education?
I think for me it was the social justice calling specific to education equity or the lack thereof in our country. Before we talk about crime and poverty we need to educate everyone in our community appropriately. Seeing that as one of the systematic issues to a lot of problems hit me at a younger age. That is a true issue at hand and for me. I personally wasn’t going the teacher route but through City Year I have the opportunity to mentor and tutor students in school. I saw how much of an impact that had in Chicago and that inspired me to stay with it and turn it into a career and later I got the opportunity to do it here in Kansas City.
What kind of mentoring happens in the classroom through your nonprofit?
We recruit mentors and tutors to serve for a year in schools. They serve as student success coaches. This is someone that’s in a school full time working on academics while also interweaving social, emotional learning for students. So while the mentors and tutors are doing this they are making a positive impact on kids. They end up getting leadership and professional development skills so after that year they are more prepared for their next steps. They end up more civically engaged due to the experience.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of your work in the community?
I think being an example of being one’s authentic self and showing that you can positively put yourself out there in all aspects. I go back and forth between being sort of a rebel on stage and the executive director at City Year. I love being able to be an example for young folks on being one’s authentic self and being able to merge your passions with what you do professionally. There is a duality in that, but for me personally music is something that is joyful and hip-hop music is great for a party but I think it is also great for making a statement and standing up for folks.
Are there any challenges you face in your work as a musician or a nonprofit educator?
I think in both lanes the challenge is, you know, constantly having to prove yourself. Whether that be proving yourself to promoters or to donors and rightfully so because people are skeptical about things. But you are constantly in a state of having to showcase your best self and showcasing your value to gain support. It is a constant thing you have to work towards.
How do you think you work impacts the community?
I think with City Year it is giving young people the opportunity to make a difference and grow as leaders while also having an impact on students and making sure that our schools are receiving additional resources. When we develop our kids in our school systems we obviously strengthen our community. On the music side I think continuing to showcase the amazing talent and legitimacy that is Kansas City right now. The arts scene in the city is a major factor and so to be apart of that scene that is putting on events, playing dope shows and music is something that gives me lot of pride.
Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides you in your work?
The slogan that I have for music is art to empower. When I am releasing a song, doing a show or working on a project I am always thinking what can this empower? Is there a cause, a message or the community needs is something that I am very mindful of.
What are your goals for the future?
I think I just want to continue to make Kansas City a more vibrant and equitable place to live and play. I want to also continue to advance the access that the kids have to opportunities to engage in what our city has to offer. I want to remove the barriers and unlock that potential that our youth already have.
What advice would you give to someone who is aspiring to follow down a similar career path as yourself?
I think emphasizing collaboration and partnerships. I don’t think that anyone should go at this work alone because it can be very challenging and difficult. That goes for nonprofit education, equity and music because there is always someone else that is willing to support or willing to push you forward in a better direction.
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This story was originally published January 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
