When Smoke Rises
Album-Level Production & Liner Credits
The Story of the Release
When Smoke Rises is the landmark debut project by Toronto poet, singer, and songwriter Mustafa (Mustafa Ahmed). Self-described as 'inner-city folk music', the eight-song record honors childhood friends lost to gun violence in Regent Park—including Ali Rizeig (Ali) and Jahvante Smart (Smoke Dawg). Grounded in acoustic fingerpicking, atmospheric electronic production from Frank Dukes, James Blake, and Jamie xx, and communal Sudanese vocal traditions, When Smoke Rises received international critical acclaim, winning the 2022 Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year and shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize.
Canadian Press & Critical Reception
"Mustafa transforms unspeakable communal grief into an enduring, luminous monument of Canadian folk music on When Smoke Rises."
"Mustafa creates a revolutionary genre of inner-city folk that gives voice to Regent Park's resilience, grief, and tender brotherhood."
"When Smoke Rises is a poignant, exquisitely crafted eulogy that balances devastating sorrow with radiant community warmth."
Official Music Videos & Visuals
Documenting and crediting the Canadian filmmakers, cinematographers, and directors behind the screen.
Official music video directed by Mustafa and King She, filmed on location in Toronto's Regent Park neighborhood.
Tracklist & Credits
Are you credited on this release?
If you’re a songwriter, session player, recording/mix engineer, or visual designer credited on When Smoke Rises, claim your MusicList profile to verify your credits and link this work to your public Canadian discography.