AYO Official video
Latest News: My First Single "AYO" Is Out Now!
I’m excited to announce that my first single AYO IS OUT NOW!
Exclusively Available For Purchase On This Website!
AYO is a musical call to the Gnawa ancestors the griots honoring their spirit, wisdom, and enduring legacy through sound and rhythm.
The song was recorded and filmed in the beautiful natural surroundings of Uvita, Costa Rica, where the environment became an essential part of the creative process. Blending the sounds of nature with Gnawa music, AYO was written from the voices and rhythms of the natural world, creating a unique connection between ancestral tradition and the earth.
This release is a heartfelt tribute to heritage, storytelling, and the deep relationship between music, nature, and ancestral memory. I can’t wait to share this journey with you.
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Thank you for your support and for being part of this journey. The story of AYO is just beginning.
30 Minutes of Justice
I was honored to be part of 30 Minutes of Justice, performing alongside an extraordinary collective of world-class musicians. The project brought together artists from across the musical spectrum, including Mike Dillon; Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits); Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds); Joey Porter and Drew Sayers (The Motet); Lou Lou and Ashish “Hash” Vyas (Thievery Corporation); Daniel Sadownick (Screaming Headless Torsos); DJ Logic; Zion Godchaux (Boombox); Kam Franklin (The Suffers); Mr. Lif; Borahm Lee (Break Science/Pretty Lights Live Band); Jeremy Salken (Big Gigantic); Rymo (Slightly Stoopid); Dave Brandwein (Turkuaz); Dave Scalia (Elle King); and many other exceptional artists.Originally conceived as a creative collaboration between friends during the COVID lockdown, 30 Minutes of Justice grew into a powerful musical statement following the death of George Floyd. The project became a celebration of unity, diversity, compassion, and solidarity—bringing together artists from different backgrounds, genres, and cultures to stand against inequality and use music as a force for connection, hope, and positive change. It was truly an honor to contribute to a project with such an inspiring message and to share the experience with so many remarkable musicians.
For the full story behind the project, complete list of featured artists, and a discussion with several of the participants, please see the video description in the link below.
Sharing the sounds of Gnawa music with the next generation
Ismail introducing students to the rich musical traditions of Morocco through a Gnawa gembri workshop, presented in collaboration with the Moroccan Embassy in Washington, DC. Through an immersive cultural experience, students explored the gembri instrument, traditional rhythms, and the history and spirit of Gnawa music, celebrating the power of music as a bridge between cultures.
