Mustafa has announced his debut album, Dunya, set for release on September 27 via Jagjaguwar. Alongside this announcement, he has released a new single, "SNL," produced by frequent collaborators Simon Hessman and Rodaidh McDonald. The single is accompanied by a self-directed music video.
While discussing the inspiration behind "SNL," Mustafa explains, "'SNL' is about finding charm in the gloom of the hood—to love despite the circumstance, despite the worst of us.”." Dunya will feature his 2023 single "Name of God," as well as his 2024 singles "Imaan" and “Gaza is Calling.” The New York Times' Jon Caramanica has praised "Imaan" as a prime example of Mustafa's unique ability to portray "isolation and longing, rendering them with beauty and, somehow, without anxiety."
The release of "SNL" and the announcement of Dunya follow Mustafa's second edition of the Artists for Aid benefit concerts. The most recent event took place on July 4th in London, featuring performances by Bint Mbareh, Blood Orange, Clairo, Daniel Caesar, Earl Sweatshirt, King Krule, Nicolas Jaar, Ramy Youssef, and Yasiin Bey, alongside Mustafa and special guest performer FKA twigs. Presented in partnership with the aid organization War Child, the concert raised funds for Gaza and Sudan. The first edition of the event was held in Newark, New Jersey in January.
About Dunya:
Dunya, Mustafa’s masterfully crafted and tender debut album, translates from Arabic to "the world in all its flaws." The expansive 12-song album covers themes from religious devotion to childhood trauma, gang violence, and romantic intimacy, all approached through a personal lens. “This record encapsulates so much of my life,” Mustafa says.
The first thing that stands out in Mustafa’s music is his writing: a simple, piercing tone that makes any story feel raw and earnest. Mustafa’s evolution from a child prodigy reciting poems in Toronto to a songwriter for artists like The Weeknd, Camila Cabello, and Justin Bieber has culminated in Dunya, where he emerges as a full-on auteur. Collaborators on the album include Aaron Dessner, Rosalía, Clairo, and Nicolas Jaar, alongside Mustafa’s longtime creative partner Simon Hessmann and Ramy Yousef as the creative director.
“I’m trying to preserve and celebrate the ordinary life in the hood,” Mustafa says about his inspiration. His songs explore his upbringing and life journey, striking with their simplicity and rich emotional depth. In "SNL," which stands for "Street N*gga Lullaby," Mustafa delivers poignant verses over a campfire singalong vibe, showcasing his unique voice influenced by artists like Future and Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker. The chorus features the line, “Yelling ‘gang gang gang‘ in my room, you sprayed me with perfume,” blending contrasting tones with natural fluidity.
Mustafa describes Dunya as a heartfelt exploration of his lifelong practice of Islam, which he calls “the longest, most peculiar relationship in my life.” In "I’ll Go Anywhere," featuring Rosalía's striking vocals, Mustafa incorporates a melody his parents sang to him as a child. "God and faith are a bridge to my brother, to my family," he says, referring to the tragic death of his older brother, Mohamed Ahmed, in 2023. The song prominently features the oud, a Middle Eastern string instrument, enriching the album's unique and rich atmosphere.
"I’ll Go Anywhere" was one of the first songs Mustafa wrote for the album, inspired by a pivotal trip to Egypt in 2021. He describes the experience as a "microcosm of what I wanted to explore" on the album, addressing themes of faith, family, home, and departure. Many songs emerged from conversations with friends and family, some maintained over the years and others lost. This is tragically exemplified in "Gaza Is Calling," a sweeping ballad about a childhood friend in the occupied territory. “Every time I say your name/There’s a war that’s in the way,” he sings, closing with a verse entirely in Arabic.
For Mustafa, person-to-person connections are at the core of his mission. Despite his rising fame in mainstream and indie circles, he finds the greatest fulfillment when young people tell him his work has had a personal, spiritual impact. His vulnerability allows listeners to connect deeply. “Faith is a journey and the record is a journey—its incompleteness is intentional,” he explains, noting the profound quiet and lingering questions in songs like "Old Life." From the encouraging words in “Imaan” to the haunting religious inquiries in “Name of God,” each song reveals a confident, distinctive voice ready for a broad audience. “I’m genuinely not trying to be a pop star,” Mustafa confesses with a laugh. “But I believe in the music, and I believe in the story I am telling.” Even when it seems like he’s addressing universal themes, Mustafa's story is deeply personal and just beginning.
Here is the tracklist for Dunya releasing on September 27, 2024
1. Name of God
2. What Happened, Mohamed?
3. Imaan
4. What good is a heart?
5. SNL
6. I'll Go Anywhere
7. Beauty, end
8. Old Life
9. Gaza is Calling
10. Leaving Toronto
11. Hope is a Knife
12. Nouri
Dunya
PRE-SAVE/ORDER: https://Mustafa.lnk.to/Dunya
“SNL”
LISTEN: https://Mustafa.lnk.to/SNL
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