Mustafa, the Toronto musician formerly known as Mustafa the Poet, has signed to Jagjaguwar, celebrating the news with his single “Imaan.” The song features guest vocals from Snoh Allegra, and comes with a music video directed by Mostafa and Nabil Darkkin, with creative direction from Ramy Youssef. Check it out below.
“Iman is a love song between two people searching for God and purpose,” Mustafa explained in a statement. “It's about longing for everything we have no evidence of. Two Muslims journey through their boundless love of the Western faith and how it conflicts with the humility and devotion they were raised with.
He continued: “Vocally, 'Iman' represents this struggle as well – Sudanese strings and Egyptian oud woven over American folk strings and drums. This texture, this collision is the song, is the romance, is the person that Mustafa is. How can it never be enough, or more?” It's necessary. The song falls into the gray area that believers fear to live in, but identify with. It's about the way faith sways under Mustafa and Iman like a rope. How cultural tension, prejudice, and racism can both fuel and tear apart romance.
“Imaan” will appear on Mustafa’s as-yet-unannounced debut album, alongside the previously shared song “Name of God.”
