When Smoke Rises

About

Over the past decade, Toronto’s Mustafa Ahmed has worn many hats: spoken-word poet, community activist, documentarian, member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s policy-shaping Youth Advisory Council, and, more recently, a songwriter for pop stars like The Weeknd and Shawn Mende. All of those accomplishments—not to mention a number of enthusiastic Drake endorsements—have made the long-awaited arrival of Mustafa’s debut release, <i>When Smoke Rises</i>, a major event, complete with an A-list guest list that includes James Blake, Sampha, and Jamie xx. But Mustafa has answered those heightened expectations with a set of deeply meditative acoustic-soul hymns that, at time, feel almost too personal and painful to bear. .

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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