Sufi Rapper: The Spiritual Journey of Abd al Malik: The Spiritual Journey of Abd Al Malik - Softcover

Abd Al Malik

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594772789 ISBN 13: 9781594772788

Publisher: Inner Traditions, 2009

Synopsis

As a poor black resident in one of the notorious French banlieus (the ghettos surrounding French cities), Abd Al Malik had every chance of meeting the same fate as many of his peers: drug addiction, prison and/or an early grave. Despite his early involvement in the endemic crime that was routine in his neighbourhood, his keen intelligence won him admission to some of the most prestigious schools in Strasbourg. His dual life as student/pick-pocket ended when he converted to Islam, where again his intellect and sensitivity prevented him from entering the hate-filled spiral promoted by the fundamentalists. His distaste for the hatred they preached in the madrassas and his love of music led him to Moroccan Sufi master Sidi Hamza al-Qadiri al-Butchichi, whose message of universal love and joy now animates the rap songs of this prize-winning composer and performer. As the singer says in his 'Ode To Love': Love the other whatever the cost and direct the struggle against yourself The treasure of the just is buried within my chest If there is enough for one, let's share it, there is enough for all. · Explains how the luminous message of love in Sufism now animates Malik's music · Offers an intimate look at life in the ghettos and madrassas of the poorest neighbourhoods in Europe

About this title

About the Author

Born Régis Fayette-Mikano in 1975, Abd Al Malik formed the rap group New African Poets in the early 1990's. Following his successful career with them, he released two solo recordings, the most recent of which, Gibraltar, has garnered a number of awards, including the Prix Constantin and the prestigious Victoire de la musique. He also appears on Moby's 2008 album, Last Night. Abd al Malik lives in France.

From the Back Cover

POPULAR CULTURE / MUSIC "In our Western world where 'street culture' has become a religion unto itself, Abd al Malik's journey from ghetto gangster seduced by fundamentalist Islam to happily married Sufi poet resonates like a vibrant call, shattering our cliches and prejudices. Social divides are but a hallucination. Everything can be reconciled and reconnected. This Sufi rapper may not be a wise man or a saint--just a punk whose soul cracked open, like most of the great masters--but his voice is a wake-up call reminding us that the path starts anywhere and always ends up in the same place: in Love." --Marianne Costa, coauthor with Alejandro Jodorowsky of The Way of Tarot As a poor black resident in one of the notorious French banlieues (the ghettos surrounding French cities), Abd al Malik had every chance of meeting the same fate as many of his peers: drug addiction, prison, and/or an early grave. Despite his initial youthful involvement in the endemic crime that was routine in his neighborhood, his keen intelligence won him admission to some of the most prestigious schools in Strasbourg. His dual life as honor student/pickpocket ended when he converted to Islam, where again his intellect and sensitivity prevented him from entering the hate-filled spiral promoted by the fundamentalists. His distaste for the hatred they preached in the madrassas and his love of music led him to Moroccan Sufi master Sidi Hamza al Qadiri al Butchichi, whose message of universal love and joy now animates the rap songs of this prizewinning composer and performer. As the singer says in his Ode to Love "To love the other whatever the cost and lead the battle against yourself In my chest the treasure of the just is buried If there is enough for one let's share it, there is enough for all." Born Regis Fayette-Mikano in 1975, ABD AL MALIK formed the rap group New African Poets in the early 1990s. Following his successful career with them, he released two solo recordings, the most recent of which, Gibraltar, has garnered a number of awards, including the Prix Constantin. He is the recipient of the prestigious Victoire de la Musique award for the best male artist of the year and the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres award. He also appears on Moby's 2008 album, Last Night. Abd al Malik lives in France with his wife, the R&B singer Wallen, and their son.

Edition details

• Publisher: Inner Traditions
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1594772789
• ISBN 13: 9781594772788
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176