Mustafa is a Toronto-based poet and songwriter who makes “inner city folk music”. His debut single “Stay Alive” brought him some attention, and that’s sure to continue with his second offering “Air Forces”.
The new track incorporates a sample of a Sudanese tribal chant – a nod to his heritage as well as a deeply evocative and atmospheric crux to his musings. More downcast than on the previous single, Mustafa guides us through observations of daily life as a Muslim in a Western city on “Air Forces” – titled for the famous Nike shoes which he and his friends wear with their kurtas. Using his soulful voice and a subtle thump, Mustafa quickly pulls us into his world on this personal song, which is rich with pathos and fraught with the tensions of all the intersecting cultures and values he experiences in his day to day life. A compelling missive from a demographic that is not so well represented in Western music, “Air Forces” further pushes Mustafa into the spotlight of young artists to watch.
The video for “Air Forces” was created by Kid. Studio and explores the themes of the song further. You can watch it below or listen to the song on your preferred streaming platform.
With more soon to come from Mustafa, make sure you follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
