Afi Scruggs is a musician’s musician. She plays bass and keys – among other instruments.

 She’s a singer-songwriter as well as a producer. She works internationally with musicians from The Gambia and Mali in West Africa. She’s composed music for the award-winning podcast, “Living for We” that is broadcast on the NorthEast Ohio NPR affiliate, WKSU, and for the nationally broadcast series, “This American Life.”  

 Who is she? 

 Afi grew up in Nashville,Tennessee, listening to iconic radio programs on iconic stations: The Grand Ole Opry on WSM, John R on WLAC. Although she was a kid, she inhaled everything she heard. 

From piano lessons as a youngster, Afi started playing gospel piano when she was 16. As an adult she always flirted with the bass. She’d pick it up, study for a while and sell the bass. In 2009, Afi decided to give it one last try, but she gave herself  a mission. This time, she’d find a place to play. Fast forward. Fulfilling that bucket list item led to starting a band, Afi ‘n The Mix, and releasing music spanning various genres. 

Her output includes an Afro-Reggae fusion version of Saaba Miniyamba, a Gambian folk song, several blues singles and a club single featuring samples from the Library of Congress.

What else does Afi do? She’s also an award-winning journalist and author, whose work has appeared in USAToday, Essence.com and on NPR affiliates and programs. 

You can find Afi on Bandcamp, Instagram, and YouTube at @AfiPlaysMusic