Saafron

Dakim Saadiq, an experimental beatmaker who relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles, works under the alias Saafron. Early on he became one of the initial artists signed to Matthewdavid’s Leaving Records, where his fractured and abstract sample constructions drew notice from L.A. beat scene mainstays such as Flying Lotus and Ras G. Although he had already issued numerous tapes, 7" EPs, and CD-Rs under the names Dakim or Dak beginning in the late 2000s, the 2016 album Reishi marked his first vinyl full-length and appeared under the Saafron moniker. Relative to those earlier lo-fi beat tapes, Reishi presented a somewhat clearer mix, emphasizing heavier bass and a broader sonic range.