Mustafa
“Stay Alive”
This poet and songwriter from Toronto’s Regent Park released his debut single in May. This 23-year-old delivers a heart-wrenching performance of his moving message on “Stay Alive.” Smooth NeoSoul sets a mellow pace in the soundscape as Mustafa reflects on growing up inner city life. The music takes on a melancholy tone as the weight of the lyrics cast a darker, increasingly mournful tone over the song. Growing up exposed to gun violence, Mustafa chose love over rage and the burden of sorrow that goes with it. In the words of the great Cornell West, “Too many young folk have addiction to superficial things and not enough conviction for substantial things like justice, truth and love.” Mustafa seems more focused on the latter than the former and that earnestly emanates out from “Stay Alive.” Make sure you give it a listen.
