“Bismillah,” Umraan Syed’s 10-track debut album released in November of 2018, was a quiet first release that gained momentum as the years went on. The release of this album acquired global attention not only because of its impactful tracks but also due to the musician’s background.
It does not come as a surprise that the representation of Muslims in the world of hip-hop, indie-rock, and American music is close to negligible. The only Muslims that the American music industry has ever known are DJ Khaled, Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, Cat Stevens, and now Umraan Syed.
Born in Illinois, Umraan Syed realizes the minimal Muslim representation in the music industry of the United States, and he wishes to change that. He states, “Muslims are underrepresented in pop culture, and hip hop, indie rock and American music at large and I am trying to change that.” Even though Islam is not the sole focal point of his music, it does involve subtle Islamic impressions. Coming from a unique background, Umraan is stealing the spotlight with his diverse portfolio.
He not only is a singer and a rapper, but his professional portfolio also encompasses multi-instrumentalism and music production. His versatile personality and a diverse portfolio are not the only factors that set him apart from other musicians. It is the fact that he combines a plethora of music genres, such as Jazz, R&B, old and new school Hip-Hop, Indie Rock, Classic Rock, Experimental with utmost perfection to bring to the listeners a sound that is unique and reaches directly to the soul.
He is gradually covering his path towards success in the American music industry, and his story is worth narrating. It is a form of inspiration for all the Muslims who live with an aspiration to become great musicians one day, but the stereotypical mindset of the world weighs them down.
Falling in Deep Admiration for Music…
Umraan Syed, the son of Raoof Syed and Iffath Syed, was born on December 4, 1991, in Hoffman Estates, a beautiful and small village in Illinois. Not many Muslims are born in families like that of Umraan. His father, a chemist at Fuji Film for forty years, was an aficionado of progressive rock, while his mother worked at a daycare for twenty years and as a pharmacy technician for fifteen years.
Being born to a father who is such a huge music enthusiast meant being exposed to this artistic form of expression at an early age of Umraan. By spending time with his father, the young mind of Umraan began to embrace music as it made him feel connected to it. He grew up listening to bands like Camel, Pink Floyd, Grobschnitt, Eloy, Yes, Asia, and Porcupine Tree.
Adding to his passion for music was Umraan’s elder brother, Junaid Syed, who, just like his father, was in unconditional love with music. It was [brother’s name] that introduced him to bands like Interpol, Depeche Mode, The Cure, U2, REM, and Pet Shop Boys. While progressive rock impressed him, it was after listening to Eminem’s VMA performance in 1999 that he fell in deep admiration for hip-hop. Other musicians that inspired him to step into the hypnotic world of music were mos def, Talib Kweli, and blackstar, who he used to listen to in the early 2000s.
The music that he produces today has deep influences from the craft of all those musicians he listened to growing up. The silvery lyrics, mesmerizing melodies, and a dulcet voice that tantalizes the soul make Umraan Syed a sensation in the industry.
A Look into the Future…
Umraan Syed’s “Bismillah” stirred hype in the industry and convinced the world that this musician has the potential to give unique melodies and impressive tracks to the listeners. He started writing the songs of his debut album in 2017, and it took a year to perfect each of them. The track, “Whispers” that caught the maximum attention and made Umraan a global sensation, was the perfect portrayal of his potential.
His music is a soul-soothing combination of multiple genres, and the resulting music is praiseworthy. The world is going to hear more from this 28-year-old who is currently working on his second album. His sophomore album, “House in the Vines,” is expected to hit the industry on his birthday this year. The title track has been released, giving an insight into what his fans are going to get when the complete album is released in the market. The elite skills have grabbed the attention of some notable media platforms such as Earmilk and Hype Magazine, a sign that this Muslim-American is a musician is the one to look out for!