Released: 28/05/21
On his debut project When Smoke Rises, Muslim poet and songwriter Mustafa introduces his self-described “inner city folk music”—sparse, powerful songs inspired by Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, yet rooted in the realities of modern-day Toronto. Written in the wake of losing close friends to gun violence, the project serves as a heartfelt tribute to his Regent Park community, blending grief, love, and resilience into a tender and vital artistic statement.