The Muslims
Who They Are
The Muslims are an all-queer, Muslim, black, and brown punk outfit comprised of drummer FaraH BaHbaH; vocalist, guitarist, and principal lyricist QADR; and bassist Abu Shea. Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, this Durham-based three-piece has developed an unparalleled sound that deftly infuses classic afropunk with queercore and hardcore. Three years later, the group continues to push the boundaries of the white-dominated punk scene with unapologetically tongue-in-cheek political satire.
Why You Should Listen
Gentrifried Chicken, The Muslims’ fourth studio album, reached audiences at the onset of the recent resurgence in the Black Lives Matter movement and the accompanying nationwide protests against racial discrimination and police brutality, and the uncompromising anti-establishment sentiments expressed throughout this latest release provide dynamic embodiments of the campaign’s core tenets. The fierce single “Call the Cops” describes the long-standing mistreatment of minorities by police (“Claiming we’re equal, receipts show that is a lie / If I wanna get shot, I call the cops”). The eponymous B-side “Gentrifried Chicken” covers white privilege and the disavowals of gentrification (“Waving at me ain’t the mood / With ya whack granola ass / Chatting up the neighbors / Just to make you feel better / You a fuckin’ gentrifier”). The near-cover closing track “Blink 9-11 (What’s My Race Again?)” tackles rampant racial discrimination and painful stereotypes (“But then the bouncer said, no baggy jeans in here / But I was wearing fuckin’ tights / That’s about the time it fuckin’ dawned on me / Nobody loves you when you’re black and free / I shoulda checked the demographics first / What the hell is wrong with me / That bitch said I don’t act my race”). Naturally, this scintillating lyricism, ripe with a compelling combination of humor and resentment, pairs effortlessly with the group’s signature rough-hewn vocals, redlining guitar riffs, intricate basslines, and pounding percussion. The Muslims provide the best kind of protest music: raw, genuine, and unfiltered. The emotions are so raw, the stories so palpable, the politics so vehemently justified that you can’t help but empathize. Even just one listen will deepen your understanding of the longstanding systemic oppression still present in America today.
What You Should Listen To
All of The Muslims’ releases will keep you on your toes and wanting for more. To get your feet wet with this unforgettable trio, I would recommend listening to Gentrifried Chicken, an all-out assault that manages to jam 10 songs into an explosive, yet abbreviated, twenty minutes. Afterwards, work towards the sophomore LP Mayo Supreme, which includes back-to-back-to-back key singles “Moshed Potatoes”, “Ya Late”, and “Fuck the Cistem”. If that still wasn’t enough, you can’t go wrong with their self-titled debut, a bold and powerful first issue.