Sep 11

Sep 11 A Palestinian you should know: Ahmad Ibrahim

You Should Know, Q&A, Palestine in America, Print Issue

A Palestinian you should know:

Ahmad Ibrahim

The following was originally published in Palestine in America’s 2020 Music Edition. Order a print copy or download a digital copy today!

Palestine in America: What’s your name?

My name is Ahmad Ibrahim

PiA: Who are you?

Ahmad Ibrahim: I’m a Palestinian American musician, producer, and recording engineer

PiA: Where do you live?

AI: I live in Urbana, IL

PiA: How has your experience been in the music scene there?

AI: I just moved here, but the music scene was cool before covid.

Before this I lived in LA, I had a lot of fun out there too. I played a lot of shows, worked in recording studios, had a diy space, worked on film, radio and podcasts.

PiA: What type of music do you make and how did you get into it?

AI: I’ve played with a lot of different styles of artists, but most of my experience is in rock music

PiA: What kind of themes do you explore in your music / lyrics?

AI: I always loved “weird” kinds of music growing up like jazz fusion and prog rock. The themes in my music seem to always be straight joy and appreciation for life, or alienation and dystopian outlooks over what goes on in the world.

PiA: What's your favorite lyric you've ever written?

AI: “All things manifest with time, taste the sunshine with your mind”

PiA: Brag about yourself: have you collaborated with any cool artists?

AI: I engineered a bunch of sessions for Brian McKnight and DJ Battlecat. I did a session with Mya once, she’s really nice. My band Tygers of Wrath opened for Melt Banana, that was a lot of fun.

PiA: What’s the dream collaboration that you’re trying to manifest?

AI: How high can I shoot here? Can I do a track with DJ Khaled and Herbie Hancock?

PiA: How does your Palestinian family / friends / community support you?

AI: I have a LOT of cousins, and they come out to the gigs! I love my family and friends.

PiA: How does Arabic or Palestinian music / culture find its way into the music you make? (if at all)

AI: I think everything you experience ultimately informs what you make, but I think I could definitely expand my musical vocabulary more toward Palestinian and Arabic culture. I’m learning to play the oud, studying the maqams and playing them loud and distorted with a fretless bass. I’m workin on it.

PiA: What kind of future would you like to see for diaspora Palestinians in music?

AI: I’m excited to see what the kids are cookin up and look forward to supporting their efforts. This world is lacking in Palestinian narretives in the arts. And I know y’all are out there!

PiA: What's the best career advice you've ever received?

AI: I’ll let you know when I hear it. lol

PiA: In the near future, Palestine is free, we're throwing a big party there to celebrate, and everybody gets to play some music, what records (not your own) are you bringing to play at the party?

AI: Brothers Johnson - Right On Time

PiA: What are your social media handles?

Ig: @ahmad.sounds / twitter: @soundsmells