B.C. Dodge & R. Mordant Mahon chat with Alman Nusrat about his journey as a musician in this episode of “What a Relief!” — IRUSA’s official podcast.
This week, B.C. & Mordant welcome singer, songwriter, poet and writer Alman Nusrat. The Connecticut-born artist channels his faith through his music, and has been doing so since the age of 12. He is now 24 and has two albums under his belt, but he recorded his first demo at home when he was just in middle school. He seeks to write music that both Muslims and non-Muslims can relate to.
“Even if I’m talking about God or the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), people can understand it as talking about their beloved…music is a universal language and music connects us all,” he says. Nusrat shares his views on creating art that is spiritual yet all inclusive, and the importance of being able to connect with people from all walks of life. His focus, he says, is “creating content that is relevant to the youth,” while always striving to be better.
He gives listeners an inside glimpse at what it’s like working alongside the legend Yusuf Islam, also known as Cat Stevens. “The man you see on stage is genuinely the same exact person you meet in person,” he says, describing what it was like to learn from his decades of experience creating spiritually uplifting music.
This episode also touches on Nusrat’s time touring with Islamic Relief USA over the past few years, and the importance of using your talents to give back. “There’s something amazing to me about people coming together for a common good. It allows you to witness the good in humanity, the good in people, and what they’re able to do when they put their minds together to help people out,” he says.
Get your weekly dose of inspiration with stories from the road that will warm your heart, like the story of a young fan who battled cancer, or a face from the audience who reminded Nusrat of the impact his music can have.
“I was singing a song about the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh),” Nusrat narrates, “he was an orphan and he turned out to be who he is, one of the most revered people on the face of this earth. I was singing about that, and I noticed there was a little girl, an orphan, who perhaps had some sort of disease. She started crying during the song and I saw her from the stage. It gave her a sense of hope that despite her conditions, despite the fact that the world seems to have turned its back…she’ll be safe in the hands of God. That day I saw myself as a vehicle to give people messages of hope and peace.”
Check out this week’s podcast to learn about one Muslim artist’s journey. Glean advice from him about how to begin your own path, and get tips on how find yourself as an artist. Tune in for insight on the differences of opinion surrounding music, and understand the reason why some are still wary of it.
**And now you can reach out to us at our new email address: warp@irusa.org!**
“What a Relief!” is the official podcast of Islamic Relief USA. Co-hosted by social media specialist B.C. Dodge & Mordant Mahon, IRUSA’s “What a Relief!” puts a human face on what’s going on in the world and how you can enact positive change in it. New episodes every week!
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