Flare Tha Rebel shares a love letter to A City Called Killah: Why KC deserves more than its flyover label

When it came time for Flare Tha Rebel to write his latest album, the project became something of a love letter to Kansas City, the hip-hop artist said, noting too often his homebase is mistakenly viewed as a flyover region instead of the destination.

It’s a perception that easily flipped if they actually take time to experience Kansas City, he continued.

“People pull up and they’re like, ‘Oh snap, this place is incredible,’” Jeff Shafer, who performs as Flare Tha Rebel, told music lovers gathered for a listening party for his new album, “Dear City,” Thursday at Vine Street Brewing Co. “You can’t fly over it. You’ve got to respect it.”

Crafting the album became an exercise in navigating the complexities of having pride in Kansas City, but loving it enough to also be critical, said Shafer, who also serves as executive director and vice president of City Year in Kansas City.

“How can I write a letter that truly is a love letter to my city? I’m telling you what I love, but I’m also being honest,” he continued, referencing sentiments expressed in tracks like “A City Called Killah.”

Once complete, Shafer ultimately left one of the biggest decisions for his “Dear City” album rollout to the people who know his music best: fans who showed up and showed out for his listening party.

Filling out paper ballots after hearing the full album — available now — attendees selected the track “2000 & Now” to serve as Flare Tha Rebel’s next single to get a music video and radio promotion.

Jeff Shafer, who performs as Flare Tha Rebel, sits for an interview with Kimology and Leigh from KC, co-hosts of the But Did You Listen to the Album? podcast; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

City of collaborators

Shafer discussed the album at Vine Street Brewing during a conversation with the duo Kimology and Leigh from KC, co-hosts of the But Did You Listen to the Album? podcast. The event also featured a performance of the track “Mixology” from “Dear City” and a mini exhibition of art  by Sike Style Industries and muralist JT Daniels.

“Dear City” features collaborations from fellow Kansas City artists like The Royal Chief, Kemet Coleman, Kadesh Flow, and The Epitome, whose contributions reflect the community behind the project, Shafer said.

“I couldn’t put out an album called Dear City and not have some of the other dope musicians and MCs on there,” he explained. “I wanted it to be representative of the city overall and not just myself.”

He discussed everything from the album’s creation, to Shafer’s recent performances in Ireland, and the experiences that continue to shape his songwriting.

Art, music and community under one roof

Guests wandered through Vine Street Brewing with “Dear City” in their headphones and murals in their line of sight, taking in artwork from Sike Style and JT Daniels. Upstairs, paintings lined the gallery walls. Outside, the pair’s mural overlooking the brewery celebrated Kansas City’s cultural history.

Phil “Sike Style” Shafer speaks during a listening party at Vine Street Brewing for Flare Tha Rebel’s new album; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Before the listening session, Phil Shafer, owner of Sike Style Industries and Jeff Shafer’s older brother, explained why the exhibition and album belonged together.

“It’s not just visual art. It’s not just performing art. It’s all of it together,” he said. “This is the future and the current. What’s happening in the music scene, based on everything that’s been built around us.”

Jeff Shafer encouraged listeners to keep supporting Kansas City’s independent music scene.

“The best thing that you could do is share with a friend, put a song on a playlist,” he said. “Local music is out here, and I’m trying to promote it, not just myself, but all the other amazing musicians. I hope that you all engage with the album, listen to it, and share it with others.”