"Ummah Wake Up:
Ani's Call For Social Activism
"
by Mehmet DEDE
Ani is a songwriter, producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist who defies categorization. With her eclectic blend of pop, eastern and middle-eastern instrumentation and clever wordplay she hopes to break barriers in the minds of not just non-Muslims but also her own Muslim community. Armed with an Islamic pop album - the first of its kind in the US - she's ready to spread her message out and about.
To trace Ani's eclecticism, one has to go far back to her childhood. Born in Malaysia she was raised in Germany, Egypt and India thanks to a frequently traveling ambassador dad. Ani started taking classical piano lessons when she was 5 years old. Later she picked up the sitar and the tabla when she was living in India. The guitar, drums and other percussion instruments followed. More recently she started a production house that produces Islamic music including her own CD, Ummah Wake Up. Layered with social commentary, on Ummah Wake Up, Ani talks about the power of women, uplifting messages of self-empowerment, the importance of Islamic rituals and the liberation of some old ideas to forge ahead. "I'm promoting myself as a social Muslim activist, and my way of speaking up is by the medium I know best and that is through music and songs," she adds.
Having been influenced from Stevie Wonder and the Beatles to world masters like Ravi Shankar and Umi Kalsum, we sat down with the talented Ani for a very personal interview where she bared her soul and mind.
What kinds of music were you exposed to growing up?
When I was living in Egypt and India, I listened to a lot of traditional music. I had older brothers who went to boarding school in England and when they would come back in the summers they would bring back music. One of my brothers was into rock music like Led Zeppelin, another was into mellower music like Cat Stevens and James Taylor, and yet another one was listening to pop music like The Jacksons and Elton John. My dad would play traditional Malaysian artists, but also Nat King Cole. When we were living in India, it was during the time when there was no importation of any sort of music or TV programs. Everything they had was straight up classical Indian music. So, I grew up with a lot of different music around me.
How did you get into the music business?
I studied Economics and Political Science in the States. That's when I realized that you could make a living being a songwriter. I didn't have training in the creative process of songwriting, or on the business side of things. I taught myself arranging, programming and engineering. Everything was a learning curve. In time I started to write lyrics and melody. As a result of that I was getting cuts and commercial releases.
How did your family react to that?
My parents were surprised and thought I wasted my college education. My sister is a conservative Uztazah. She believes music does not have any place in Islam but even she realizes that the Islamic pop CD is an entity we need. As a result she is very supportive of what I am doing.
What was the premise for your Islamic pop album, Ummah Wake Up?
I was asked to make such an album by fellow Muslim parents who felt there was no alternative for their very American kids. They liked the quality of songs and production of American pop songs but did not like the lyrics and the message it sent. Writing secular pop songs is what I do for a living, so blending my two worlds made that request doable. In the process of writing for the album I felt very drawn to highlighting our social issues, discrimination, traditions. I also wanted to show the western world that there are 'normal' Muslims out there.
I have stepped into spotlight as an artist not because I want the glamour, but because I have a social message. I am a social activist and I urge every Muslim to volunteer every week for a non-profit organization. It is our Islamic duty.
The term Islamic pop doesn't really exist in the US.
I coined the term "Islamic pop" because we don't have one. We have Yusuf Islam and Dawud Wharnsby Ali who sing nasheeds (Islamic songs), where they blend percussion and vocal arrangements. They both come from a very professional and successful folk musical background. Secondly, there is no pop music for the young Muslims. There are some male rap artists, but for American-Muslims there really isn't any pop alternative. I just got back from a promotional tour in Malaysia and Indonesia and the album is very well received over there. My music is being played at pop stations that are the equivalent of Kiss FM [in California], and not religious stations.
What kind of a response have you received in the US?
Whoever hears it in the US loves it. The beat draws them in and then they start singing the lyrics. Surprisingly the whole positive message is appealing to non-Muslims as well, despite the word jihad! I have more non-Muslim buyers - I perform at Jewish temples, Christian and Latino events. The obstacle that I have been having is with the Muslim establishments. Most are reluctant to sell the CD, as they are afraid of alienating their conservative audience. It is unfortunate that to some, my gender is THE issue, and the positive message is inconsequential.
In the US the songs have been played on public radio stations, that's just about it. Commercial radio won't play this. If I beat around the bush and sing about generic spirituality, it may get more coverage. But I refuse to compromise my message about Islam.
What is the underlying theme in your music?
Social activism. We have to change as Muslims if we're going to change this dreadful world we live in. And it's not Islam at fault. It's us humans, Muslims that have messed it up for all of us and we are letting them by sweeping it under the rug.
To kids I have songs like "Just Like Khadijah," whereby I promote Khadijah as our role modal, because she was a rich businesswoman who gave much of her wealth to the survival of Islam. I did a video for the song and incorporated Muslim women in the world today who are moving their own mountains. Its my tribute to these Muslim women, our modern day 'Khadijahs'. My goal is to reach out, inspire, and challenge the listener to make that change so we leave our children a world that welcomes them rather than one that discriminates against them.
To read lyrics, listen to sound clips, watch music videos and find out more information about Ani visit www.ilhamproductions.com
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