One of the world’s most eminent religious pop stars, British singer Sami Yusuf has stretched his talents across many genres and projects.
The latest: a compilation album featuring modern takes on traditional music of North Africa, Andalusia, Persia, Kurdistan, and more, and is a tribute to the rich traditions of Sufi mysticism.
In all his work, Yusuf takes on religious themes, while encorporating new elements, such as English folk music or Persian Sufi poetry. In this way, he views his art as an exploration of identity in a global world.
“A lot of young guys are going through an identity crisis and I think that’s where people like me come in and say you can be British, you can be Muslim, you can be hip, you can be having fun,” explains Yusuf. “It’s not either or.”
Sami Yusuf explores roots and worlds in music
Like his music, Yusuf’s fame spans the globe. By incorporating a variety of languages and drawing on various influences, he hopes to make music that all can find accessible.
A Dancing Heart, an example of traditional Azeri music, featuring zurnas and qanuns, and lezginka dancers projected onto the background
Mast Qalandar, a song based on a song from the Indian subcontinent about ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib
“What I am doing is unique in the sense that it’s bringing together so many different influences and cultures and it’s kind of saying, ‘Look it works, we can all live together and we can all share and just chill,’” Yusuf explains.
His first album, “Al-Mu’allim”, primarily featured English with some Arabic lyrics. Next, he followed with “My Ummah” – a worldwide hit. He has since released six more albums and the SAMi EP, an exploration of his British roots. Additionally, he has based songs on books and real events, such as his song “Supplication”, based on The Kite Runner, and “Muhammad” as a response to the attack on a school in Beslan in 2004.
Sami Yusuf pulls on influences from all around
Yusuf was born in Tehran, Iran, to Azeri parents. He immigrated to Britain at the age of only 3 years old. He cites his British upbringing as what gave him “the opportunity to pursue his music career.” He add that some of his primary influences include Bruce Springsteen, George Michael, and Elton John.
Though a practicing Muslim himself, Yusuf wants his music to be defined not by its religious nature, but rather its innovation. “I have an issue with being labelled as a religious singer,” he tells The Independent. “I see myself as an artist who is versatile and sings about whatever inspires him.”
Yusuf’s father – a composer – exposed him to formal music education early on. Firstly, he studied piano and composition at the Royal Academy. However, after only 8 months, he dropped out. Briefly, he considered a legal career; however, he soon returned to music, even completing his music education at Salford University despite already achieving international fame.
“O Lovers: Music from the Unseen World” honors poets such as Rumi and Abu Nawas
Yusuf’s latest album, “O Lovers: Music from the Unseen World,” is tribute to Sufism. The album consists of 15 songs, “each one a mystical love song.”
The music included has roots in Andalusia, North Africa, Turkey, Kurdistan, and Persia, just to name a few. The album also features singers Abida Parveen and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
Ilahana, a recording from the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in 2019 in Morocco featuring Moroccan vocalist Ismail Boujiya
Ya Rasul Allah, from the Kurdish Qadiri tradition of Western Iran and incorporates lyrics in Persian, Turkish, and Arabic in addition to the original Kurdish
Listen to the full album on YouTube or any major streaming service.
