Canadian folk singer and storyteller Mustafa the poet delves into the intricate experiences one goes through during the process of grieving for a loved one. Mustafa is well known for his ability to shed off the hard layers a grieving person may build up over time and it’s safe to say that the content of the poet’s folk songs, is more of a personal letter to the listener rather than just a song. Beautifying grief is not an easy thing to do, but the new single “Stay Alive” is a direct message to those who may be suffering they are not alone. Following the death of his late friend Smoke, the song seems to be a means of communication with his late friend. The lyrics depict a conversation many grieving persons may feel to have.
Mustafa is truly a unique artist. Choosing to speak up about and against harsh street violence that he grew up around using soft melodies and folk as his medium is not something you see often and the tone of his songs where he communicates with his lost ones, allows the listener to feel like they’re having a conversation with their lost ones. It’s a Bittersweet experience listening to this song, but we believe it’s more sweet than bitter.