It took a trip to New York approximated at 5,793 miles within a tight 22 hour window of time for me to affirm one thing – the Muslim Arts movement is one of the most powerful platforms for social change in the Western hemisphere. It began with a last minute red eye flight where I touched down at La Guardia airport and stayed in Manhattan, only a ten minute taxi route to the historic Apollo Theater where all the magic took place on Saturday, January 23rd.
Still sleep deprived and semi conscious, I was privileged to cover an
epic event kicked off by Chicago’s monster nonprofit,
Inner City Muslim Action Network (IMAN). It is the second Community Café, an annual event, to take New York by storm though similar events occur seasonally on their home turf, Illinois. This time last year, New Yorkers welcomed a smaller group of multi-talented Muslim artists from around the country. In 2010, IMAN organizers remixed the objective of entertainment with an urgent call to Haitian humanitarian aid. In collaboration with
Islamic Relief, generous proceeds from the event were forwarded to disaster relief in the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake on January 12 that awakened our sleeping souls to the island’s ever subsisting problems. These
fundraising efforts aim to raise $1 million.
During an emotional address to the Community Café audience, IMAN’s Executive Director
Rami Nashashibi appealed to the wealthier in attendance by insisting they give generously to this cause and to “mobilize and organize around policy.” Nashashibi didn’t shy from the subject of 100% debt cancellation with regards to this French speaking Caribbean nation. He then reminded everyone of our obligation to live as “one spiritual unit” regardless of borders and bodies of water that separate people around the globe. This statement, I felt, was perhaps more profound than anything sung or rapped by the long list of entertainers hired to perform that night.
I made my way around the Apollo in 2 inch heels with cameras and equipment, back and forth between the green room and the actual arena, to meet with artists, talk to fans, and collaborate with
Ridwan Adhami the illustrious photographer I was assigned to work with. Although there was a great deal of commotion, and understandably so, I couldn’t help but notice how hyped everyone was about the event and how thick the crowd grew to be in the final moments before it all began.
The grouping was just as historic as the place in which they enlightened us with music, comedy, poetry and theater hosted by Ibrahim Abdul-Matin a Brooklyn native, and Chicago’s export, Azhar Usman of Allah Made Me Funny. This pairing was especially amusing and yet mindful of the great reasoning we were all brought together. The magical evening began with
Progress Theater, an amazing ensemble of creative Muslim women, along with unique tribute to Percy Sutton (November 24, 1920 – December 26, 2009) by Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X. Mr. Sutton was attorney to Malcolm but served the Civil Rights generation with counsel and will be remembered for political and entrepreneurial contributions. It was timely and highly respectable that IMAN organizers commemorated such a remarkable leader so soon after his passing. And who better than to articulate that tribute than Malcolm’s most vocal daughter, Ilyasah.
Well known and esteemed turntabalists like DJ Raichous, Kidragon and DJ Mecca consecrated the stage with scratching and mixing in the backdrop. Notable acts
Alex Schein and
Khalil Ismail enlivened the crowds with original sound, instrumentation and sultry vocals. Khalil is Baltimore’s latest rep whose voice favors Jay Z while harmonizing his way into the hearts of listeners time and again.
Comfortably partnered with IMAN and regularly enlisted as Community Café performers, husband-wife team The ReMinders made the evening officially official. Aja Black can be likened to Lauryn Hill and the convenience of being married to another artistically inclined MC makes them a package deal. Big Samir laid thick lyrics in both English and French whose verses were a common language for audience members. Everywhere I looked people were either singing along or nodding their heads in complete rhythmic compliance. This duo complimented a Haitian benefit concert because they represent the larger African Diasporan community but one firmly planted right here in America, Colorado to be exact. Samir was born in Zaire, raised for a time in Belgium and finally found a new home on North American soil. His wife, on the other hand, is a beautiful blend of the Diaspora with strong Caribbean roots who grew up in New York. That would explain the harmonies she graciously shares with fans in person or on their CD,
ReCollect, that Samir describes as “neo-soulish, underground hip hop”.
Sumayya Ali, Zeshan Bagewadi and Saafir Rabb made the event ever more meaningful followed by an exceptional show by Outlandish, pop sensations hailing all the way from Denmark. Somewhere between your typical American boy band and Bone Thugs n Harmony, Outlandish has made only a few trips to the States even though they are international icons, one of which I was fortunate enough to catch in Anaheim, California almost two years ago. During that backstage chat, I met with Isam, Lenny and Waqas for a quick interview before an unparalleled show in a peaceful suburb of Los Angeles. Although I wasn’t as fortunate to speak with my Danish brothers at length this time, I enjoyed their Apollo performance. Isam shined on stage despite feeling under the weather, he never fails to give the audience something emotional and compelling to take home.
I would be remiss not to mention monologue and original material by Comedy Central's
Aasif Mandvi. It was an honor to have someone of this caliber provides us with such raw material to digest. In a fusion of humor and controversy, Aasif managed to awaken the audience to bitter realities in a very effective means of satire. We were forced to just shut up and listen, for once. He commanded our attention and will forever have an impact on the way we think about identity, politics and religion in the West, even if these realities are hard to swallow. Preacher Moss, also in attendance, represented the
Allah Made me Funny crew by providing an analogous, witty spin on the bittersweet facts we all face as Muslims in America. Ethnic division in our community was one particular topic he decided to make light of.
As an organization, IMAN is known to support the Arts and any means of social consciousness promoted through these mediums. Embodying that objective, the evening wouldn’t have been complete without the likes of Mos Def, Amir Sulaiman and Liza Garza. Seasoned in the mainstream market but still approachable at a grassroots level, all three of these performers gave themselves unconditionally to the crowds. Liza took the stage with an infant on her back and a microphone in hand. She was armed with all that she needed. The ambiance and lighting was perfect. I can still feel the anticipation in the room at that moment. She screamed, sang and cried beautiful melodies in Spanish and English, as an accomplished poetess and vocalist known from here to the UK. Behind her was a band she’s seldom seen without Gritz & Jelly Butter also from Atlanta, Georgia. It seems this “4 piece collective” is able to play just about any genre on the music bill as they banged it out into the next set with Liza’s companion, Amir Sulaiman. Amir has not only established the art of stage presence, he has mastered it. There is something undeniable about his use of language, instrumentation and crowd control. In a new song, Hallelujah Alhumdulilah, Amir insisted we sing in accordance with his vernacular. You are one generation out of the Black church, he reminded the audience. I would characterize this new track and a few others performed, as a cross section of choir, metal and quite reminiscent of bands that have rocked with 80’s icon Prince.
As always, Mos Def gives the most. Stylish, witty and incredibly gifted with wordplay, Mos Def engaged the crowd and inspired the masses. Even our elders were thoroughly amused by his use of rhyme and reason, happily wed to the beats reverberating throughout the building. People rose from their seats as though they were mesmerized with his presence. And most likely, they were. Mos Def is an acclaimed hip hop artist but his creativity never capped off there. Major roles in notable films have colored his career and by the looks of it, will continue to do so. Most recently, Mos Def played Chuck Berry in Cadillac Records. The film was based on an actual account of the foundation of Chess Records, with depictions of its leading recording artists at that time. Mos Def’s characterization of Chuck Berry was nothing short of convincing. Prior to this role, Mos Def began a rewarding relationship with HBO as host of Def Poetry in addition to starring in the film, Something the Lord Made. He played Vivien Thomas, a pioneer in cardiac surgery finally to be recognized as a surgeon decades later. The film received numerous nominations and was awarded several acknowledgements, too many to list here.
In every way possible, Mos defines charisma. His achievements far excel our expectations of Muslim American artistry and performance. He has to be one of the most creative contributors of our time but sadly, one that may be marginalized (by some) as just another rapper. Its time everyone recognize contributions like his so we begin to understand the importance of new traditions for Islam in America and quite possibly, beyond America.
In what began as a humble attempt to entertain a crowd, the evening ended with the raising of funds and consciousness for an awesome cause. Audience members left with a renewed sense of pride in the creative energies of the Muslim-American community and with a commitment to humanitarian aid in Haiti. Ahlam Said of IMAN assures us that such traditions will not end as this magical evening did. They intend on expanding headquarters to New York City where an estimated 1 million Muslims, representing 30 countries, will be accessed with direct services and artistic cultivation.
Anticipation will continue to build as IMAN supporters gear up for
Takin’ it to the Streets on June 19, 2010 that will be held in Chicago, Illinois. This Urban International Festival will feature Mos Def, Brother Ali and scores of other globally acknowledged artists.
