Iraqi-born and Toronto-based, Mustafa Ismaeel is a DJ and producer renowned for blending emotive grooves with a genre-defying sonic palette. Rooted in a multicultural upbringing, he draws on his origins and nomadic experiences to craft vibrant, deeply expressive sets and productions. Born in Iraq, growing up in India, and maturing in Canada has added to the versatility and universe of his music.
How would you describe your sound?
It’s kind of challenging to put it into words, but if I had to sum it up, I’d say: groovy, warm, deep-housey, and always built around a strong story or theme.
What pulls you the most about the electronic music scene?
Basslines 🙂 haha. But honestly, so many things. Mainly the underground vibe and the deep connection this music brings; whether it’s a connection to our emotions or to the community. There’s something profound about finding that one special track, attending that one unforgettable event, or discovering a new sound or talent. It’s full of mystery and surprises; it’s art and human connection melted together.
Tell us about your event brand and soon-to-be record label, Narratives, in collaboration with Dilby, Alaa Jazeeri, and Daniyal Shah.
I’m super happy about the dream team we’ve formed, and I’m beyond excited to launch the record label; our first release is scheduled for September! We’ve already done a few great showcases this summer, and our events and community are growing fast. This project is the crème de la crème for me, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in such a short time; especially knowing that we haven’t even properly started yet. It’s a blessing.
How do you navigate trends while staying true to your sound and not falling for hype-driven genres?
To be honest, I think about that a lot. Maybe in my early days as a producer, I was swayed too much by certain trends after getting inspired. But over time, you develop your own approach and sound. For me, I’ve already found my style, which gives me the freedom to experiment with new elements while still sounding like myself. Inspiration is great for creativity; as long as you don’t lose your artistic identity in the long run.
How important do you think collaboration is in this scene?
There’s something really special about working with other producers, musicians, and vocalists. The energy resonates from multiple directions, and when everything aligns; that’s when true magic happens. Sure, creating music on your own is also powerful and has its own beauty, but collaboration opens up a whole new realm.
As you know, I love remixing tracks that have strong raw elements; it’s always exciting to open up the stems another artist sends. Lately, I’ve also been working with up-and-coming vocalists. Sometimes they send me raw vocal ideas, or I’ll send them a basic track, and they’ll write on top of it. Actually, our first release on Narratives is a collaboration EP between me and Dilby.
There are endless ways to collaborate—and for me, this is a lot of fun. Honestly, we don’t need things like AI vocals. There’s so much raw talent in the world; so many amateurs will blow your mind when they sing or play. Just reach out—you’d be surprised how excited and energized people get when you involve them. It brings so much more life and emotion into a project compared to some emotionless AI-generated whatever, lol.
Tell us about the feeling you get when you play your own music live.
It’s a mix of emotions haha. When I’m testing new tracks, I’m usually focused on technical stuff like the mixdown, the master, whether the kick is punching through; all that nerdy producer stuff. But when everything sounds good and the crowd is vibing, it’s one of my favorite feelings ever. Even when I play my already released tracks; which I often do if the moment fits—it’s amazing to see people dancing or singing along. That’s a kind of personal artistic achievement only a few people truly understand.
Your remix of “Make It Hot” for Husa & Zeyada has been charting steadily since it dropped. Why do you think this track resonated so much?
Oh man, I love how this one never gets old. I’ve thought about it before, and I honestly think it just comes down to how everything fits together in the track. The bassline groove is super funky and strong; it kind of dances with the vocals (or maybe the other way around haha). The vibe is sexy, naughty, and just a lot of fun.
Now you’ve got a new HZ remix; this time of “Waladi.” What drew you to this track?
I was playing the same stage as Husa & Zeyada at MDLBEAST Festival in Riyadh last year, and I still remember that during their set, I went to the washroom and heard the original version of “Waladi” playing; and I fell in love with it. The vocal is energizing and repetitive; it has a real sha3bi or Egyptian street vibe. I thought it was super cool and unique.
How important is jamming when working on new music?
If you asked me that a few years ago, I would’ve said not very important. But now, it’s a completely different game. I’ve set up my whole studio in a way that everything is connected and ready to jam and record instantly; from drum machines and hand drums to synths and keyboards. Everything invites you to play.
This is amazing when I’m starting a new idea or want to add something fun and spontaneous to a track. Don’t get me wrong; sometimes I need to recreate a lot of those elements later, but jamming gives you the soul of the track.
Do you think jamming helps you stay connected to your own voice as an artist, especially in a trend-driven scene?
Oh yes 100%. The beauty of jamming and working out of the box is that your body naturally gravitates towards what fits. Whether it’s drums or synths, if you know what you’re doing and you keep playing, you’ll usually end up with something that sounds great and is uniquely your own.
What’s most important to you when you’re in the studio? Is it the gear, the environment, or just letting go?
For me, the most important thing is the sound quality I’m hearing. I’m a bit of an audio snob sometimes haha. But beyond that, the environment is really key; it helps you let go. And letting go is both the ultimate goal and the ultimate challenge.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through a musical lens?
Through my taste in sounds and how I blend different styles, I’ve come to realize I’m both the Pisces and the Dragon. I am water and fire; and I fully embrace both sides.
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