Mustafa

Although he made his recorded debut under the name Mustafa the Poet, Mustafa is also a singer-songwriter, documentarian, and part of the hip-hop group Halal Gang. Since gaining major commercial ground as a co-writer of the Weeknd's "Attention" (2016) and Jonas Brothers' number one hit "Sucker" (2019), he has released reflective solo material bearing the imprint of Regent Park Songs, named after his Toronto neighborhood. He issued his Juno Award-winning debut long-player, When Smoke Rises, in 2021. More collaborations followed, including a feature on Metro Boomin and 21 Savage's hit "Walk Em Down (Don't Kill Civilians)." Mustafa returned with the solo single "Name of God" in late 2023, foreshadowing his second album, Dunya, which appeared in September 2024. Born and raised in Toronto, Mustafa Ahmed became known for socially conscious poetry during his youth. When he was 18, in 2014, he made his first recorded appearance as Mustafa the Poet on Lorraine Segato's "Rize Time." Shortly thereafter, he gained more notice when a poem he wrote was shared by Drake on social media. In 2016, Mustafa was named to the Prime Minister's Youth Council by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and, in addition to contributing to "Feel" by Halal Gang partner SAFE, he also gained his first major songwriting credit on the Weeknd's "Attention," which appeared on the chart-topping Starboy. Over the next few years, he continued to write poetry and collaborate with other artists, and, following the murder of friend and Halal member Smoke Dawg, he made Remember Me, Toronto, a short documentary addressing gun violence and its root causes (with Drake among those whom he filmed for it). Having been linked with Frank Dukes while working with the Weeknd, Mustafa continued to work with the producer. He co-wrote two tracks for Camila Cabello's number one album Camila and, in 2019, scored a number one hit in Canada and the U.S. with Jonas Brothers' "Sucker." The next year, he independently issued his first solo singles, "Stay Alive" and "Air Forces." These contemplative, predominantly acoustic ballads featured Dukes, James Blake, and Jamie xx among the collaborators. Both tracks appeared on his first full-length effort, 2021's When Smoke Rises. A critical success, especially in Canada, it was shortlisted for the Polaris Prize and won a Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year. Mustafa scored another hit in 2022 with his guest spot on Metro Boomin and 21 Savage's single "Walk Em Down (Don't Kill Civilians)." The following year saw him collaborate with Daniel Caesar on the track "Toronto 2014," and he co-wrote Omar Apollo's single "3 Boys." Mustafa returned in October 2023 with his own single, the understated, acoustic "Name of God." Additional singles like "Imaan" and the poignant "Gaza Is Calling" followed in 2024 ahead of his sophomore album, Dunya, released that September. ~ Andy Kellman