Business owner
Born in Philly
Moved to Baltimore in ‘83
Feels like a newborn musician every year
Creative, Perceptive, Silly, Neat, & Spontaneous
1 out of 8 musically inclined siblings Acknowledged in the November 2006 issue of Flow Child magazine Admires: Andre 3000, Ursula Rucker, The Roots, Jill Scott, Common, Nas, Brand New Heavies, Black Eyed Peas, a little Jermaine Dupri,
Dr. Dre, 9th Wonder
Widow: Well, first let me ask you this. How did you get your nickname Musse’ Mus’? Musse' Mus': Well my first name is Mussawwir pronounced ‘Moose-a-wee-er’ or stated in Islam as one of the 99 names of God..El’ Mussawir which means the fashioner, one who creates. I think I am that. I just translated some letters and make Musse- which is pronounced ‘Moosey’ and Mus’ which is pronounced ‘Moose’ Now moose is my true nickname for years since I was a kid and stuck with me. I could have used Mussalini, or Mustafa which my fam jokes with me all the time but I think Musse Mus is catchy or Supa Producer Mus’!!
Widow: So when did you start your career in music production? Musse' Mus': Well actually, I always loved music and arrangements. Me and my elder used to listen to old vinyls. I was always amazed by the arrangements and melodies that the vintage soul and r&b artists put out. You know the sounds . . . like it is . . . it put me in a trance kinda . . . I always wanted to play a instrument in high school and ish . . . but my mother could not afford it back then . . . I guess that deprivation kinda got to me when I started to get more serious around 02’. I was MC’ing at that time. I also had a passion for rhyming and poetry . . . lol. Believe it or not, I'm nice off the top . . . like me and my homies would go on for days ask anyone.
Widow: Why did you decide to start a production company? Musse' Mus': Well, me and my sister Zakia would hit open mics back in 01’ at spots like Organic Souls and the original 5 Seasons on Charles St. We would do performances on stage and all that. We kinda figured that it would be more productive to put together a company so we could put a business orientation to our music passion. I was strictly writing rhymes and she was singing at that time. Then in 02’ we decided to go LLP (Limited Liablity Partnership) and make our company official. I started to produce with just a computer and Fruity Loops program at that time.
Widow: Do you have any partners or employees in your production company besides your sitster Zakia? Musse' Mus':Well, me and Zakia Sahar are COO and CEO. We make final decisions on changes and implementations to the company. TAQ, which is my brother does art work for CDs, banners, and etc. We both have separate ventures attached to the Uniquity Productions company. For me I have a venture with 12-12 Enterprises. This is another company in Baltimore that is multi-dimensional with a couple artists, and they promote as well. I also have ties with Jam Eazey Entertainment which is Me’Aze Millioni’s company and we do a lot of collaborations and sponsorships.
Widow: Why did you name your production company Uniquity Productions? Musse' Mus':Uniquity is a way of being truly unique. Everything we do whether it is composing, songwriting, artist development, and performing has to be one of a kind. I already have a reputation for themes. I am very creative when it comes to putting together projects. Just look at what I added to the Big Status Green Day CD and The Baltimore’s Most Wanted mixtape. Ain't no one doing shit like that ya feel me. And now Zakia, she is in a class of her own. I mean she always put the audience to attention when she performs.
Widow: What sets you apart from other producers? Musse' Mus':Well, I'm just nice . . . period. I don’t brag about my skills or talents. I know it took me a while to get to where I am today. I've been thru the positive and negative criticism. I hated the negative but sometimes the truth hurts. I try not to listen to a lot of production that is out today because it is true when producers say you find yourself unconsciously imitating the sound. My style can be militant, bright, and smooth. That’s what I do best. If I sample a track, you better believe I'm going to come up with a sick melody. You can ask any artist who have worked with me. I prefer to produce more original tracks though because I can be more creative and those tracks last longer . . .
Widow: Okay. I know what sets you apart from other producers, but what sets your production company apart from other productions companies here in Baltimore and nationwide? Musse' Mus': Well, we can do scoring for shows, commercials, and movies. We can even compose tracks for rock, r&b, hip hop, and soul artists. There are not a lot of companies "CAPABLE" of doing that. A lot of them say they can but we "ACTUALLY" are multi-talented like that. I am in the process of scoring two local movies this year but I cannot say the names of them now for protection reasons; as well as, I'm doing a lot of original projects. As you can see, we can do it all.
Widow: Why do you refer to your music as militant flavored tracks? Musse' Mus':Well, I was in the military and for some reason I am fascinated with the vibe of the aggressive sound that the drums, guns, and percussion have. I just like those medium BPM type tracks with a sound that puts you on your toes . . . kinda suspenseful. A lot of artists for some reason feel those type of tracks. It doesn’t matter the genre. They just get into another mode and start to rip it like WHOA! Its kinda good to get an artist out of their norm ya know. It just makes them more diverse and its nothing wrong with that. Not many producers can effectively make a suspenseful-military-type of track unless its on the level of Vinny Idol or Supa Mario of D-Block, or Whoo Kid of G- Unit . . . but I can do more than just militant stuff . . .
Widow: How good of an engineer are you? Musse' Mus':I just finally taught myself to engineer, and no it is not easy. Now let me say this…many producers say they can mix down and engineer but it is not that easy. It takes a lot of ear training to effectively mix down a track and make it level and there is no school that can teach that…either you got it or your don’t. Engineering involves a lot of patience and track time trying to get the best final sound using hardware and software. And yes, you do have to have the right equipment to be a effective engineer. On a scale of 1-5, I would rate my engineering skills a 4 because I am using Pro Tools with a Digi 001. I'm still a little limited but I'm satisfied for now.
Widow:You’ve stated you have blessed the mic at underground venues. When did you start rapping? Are you still rapping? Musse' Mus':Hehehe . . . Well I've been rappin' since my high school days. A lot of kats be lying 'bout that shit and it ain't cool. If you been rappin' since your 20’s dudes, then say it. Stop tryin' to get more street cred' by lying 'bout that . . lol. Sorry, I had to get that off my chest but yeah I was battling kats in high school at lunch time at St. Joe’s. I was a comedic rapper and dudes be like "w-t-f" you just say. I was nice with it. Everybody wanted to sound like Black Moon and Tribe Called Quest cuz that was the flow at that time in 95. I used to rip at NowChild Sound Stage, 5 Seasons, and Organic Souls back in '03-'04 but I stopped. I got frustrated by the lack of support and the bullshit cliques that used to act like they made it already. I just decided to focus my energy into producing. But let it be known, I can still rip it if I want. I still drop 16’s here and there on mixtapes just to keep my self nonrusty.
Widow: Well, we know you can rap and handle your self in the studio but do you have any other musical skills? Musse' Mus':Well, I'm trying to learn how to play the keyboard but I'm still in training. I can also songwrite my ass off. I have a big book of lyrics just collecting dust . . . and no I can't sing . . . lol
Widow: Have you been recognized or awarded for your skills and talents? Musse' Mus':Well real recognizes real. I have a great team working together with me and the company. We look out for each other. I've been told all kinds of comments; such as, your one of the best diverse producers in the area. I know what I am capable of. I haven’t formally received an award or anything similar yet but the time is coming sooner than you think.
Widow: Now let's talk about your studio manners. Are you easy to get along with in the studio? Musse' Mus':You should see me at work. I got like a midas touch or something. I wish I could live in the studio. This is how serious I am about my work. When I compose, I put myself in a zone and bang out sounds that I have no idea I was capable of and it’s a instant hit! When I record an artist, it's perfection and play. I perfect the session and we all have fun like its always a positive, understanding, and respectful environment. I let the artists do his/her thing; I just do my engineering on the system.
Widow: So what would the average artist say about your quality of work? Musse' Mus': They would say my work is superb and top of the line. They'll say this because when I put a final mix on a session its ready for the radio believe that! With the equipment that I have, people are amazed with what I can do. I mean I don’t have Hit Factory type of equipment but its not low end either.
Widow: Since you say you make instant hits, have you recorded and engineered any music that has hit record store shelves? Musse' Mus':Well, I always have my mixtape projects in many stores and booths for promotional sales and distribution in the Maryland malls: Mondawmin Mall, Security Mall, Annapolis Mall, and Owings Mills. As far as retail sale, this year, Zakia Sahar’s ‘Eclectic Blends’ will be hitting 4 store shelves including FYE in addition to ‘Twilight Confessions’ which I have to remaster.
Widow: What are some of the artist projects you have completed? Musse' Mus': Wow, Ok here it is . . .
Zakia Sahar - Twilight Confessions
Spityashyt Mixtape Volume 1
Mossburg - Black Sheep (recorded and mixed)Rep UR State Volume 1Mossburg - The Punchline Champion sampler
Big Status - Greenday (mixed)
Porche 9-11 - Changen Lanes (produced ‘Respect Me’)
Baltimore’s Most Wanted- Hunt For The Best MC (arranged/mixed/produced 4 tracks)
Widow: Do you like listening to your projects even after production is completed? What about listening to other local talent? Musse' Mus': Of course, I listen to a lot of local up and coming artists mixtapes just to see where
everyone is going. I got a little MOL, Billo, Porche 9-11, Unreal, Comp, Mully, E the Poet, Billy Lyve, Minlus, Jon Conner, Big Status, Caddy da Don . . . just too many to name…But I also do constantly bump some mainstream: Bahamadia, Ghostface Killa (all CD’s), Busta Rhymes-ELE, Faith Evans-Keep The Faith, Weather Report, Foxy Brown-Broken Silence, Gwen Stefani…
Widow:What artists and/or producers would you like to work with? Musse' Mus': I would like to work with Jill Scott. I have tons of tracks for her, Nas, Jay Z, Styles P, Ameil Larrauiex, Redman, and Floetry. I mean it don’t matter as log as they can rip my production..As far as producers, well my producing partner Kenei Kontrac is like my ace right now. We both have tons of heat just waiting to be laced but I don’t mind collabin' with other serious producers…I never hate..and I respect every producers flava.
Widow:What are some of your future goals? Musse' Mus':Well, I really like scoring. I would like to form a production deal or merger with a major movie production company or maybe do some acting. I'm not really sure but I like the spotlight . . . lol . . . hey who don’t. Oh yeah, I'm also into real estate. That will always pay the bills ya know…
Widow: Do you have any advice you would like to give to aspiring artists, engineers, and/or producers? Musse' Mus': Yeah! Stop playing all the games you used to play in your spare time. Every second you waste chillin' taking a break on the Xbox another hungry producer or artists is bangin' out hits and you are losing the race . . . Use your time wisely . . . remember you are getting older not younger.
Widow: Before we conclude, is there any other information you would like the public to know about you? Musse' Mus': A lot of major shit is in the works for the 07’. I can't say a lot now but just know that after I release this Baltimore Most Wanted and Eclectic Blends CDs, me and my producing partner Kenei Kontrac got some heavy hits to move along with Nokio (of Dru Hill). Stay tuned for the name ‘Legion of Goons' . . . just a bug to put in yall ear…
Sorry, I had to get that off my chest but yeah I was battling kats in high school at lunch time at St. Joe’s. I was a comedic rapper and dudes be like "w-t-f" you just say. I was nice with it. Everybody wanted to sound like Black Moon and Tribe Called Quest cuz that was the flow at that time in 95. I used to rip at NowChild Sound Stage, 5 Seasons, and Organic Souls back in '03-'04 but I stopped. I got frustrated by the lack of support and the bullshit cliques that used to act like they made it already. I just decided to focus my energy into producing. But let it be known, I can still rip it if I want. I still drop 16’s here and there on mixtapes just to keep my self nonrusty.
Widow: