Mumzy Stranger

Mumzy Stranger
Background information
Native name মুহাম্মদ মুমিথ আহমেদ
Birth name Muhammad Mumith Ahmed
Born 18 January 1984
Plaistow, Newham, London, England
Origin Newham, London
Genres Hip hop, grime, R&B, dancehall
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, musician, dancer
Years active 2005–present
Labels Stranger Productions
(2013–present)
Associated acts Rishi Rich, Preeya Kalidas, Abbas Hasan, Yasmin, Wiley, Karen David, Sonu Kakkar, Junior Giscombe
Website www.mumzystranger.com

Muhammad Mumith Ahmed (Bengali: মুহাম্মদ মুমিথ আহমেদ; born 18 January 1984), better known by his stage name Mumzy Stranger, is a British-Bengali MC, singer-songwriter and record producer, known for his distinctive soulful-bashment style. He made his mainstream recording debut in the summer of 2009 with his debut single "One More Dance", which topped the UK Asian Charts, as did the follow-up singles, "Showgirl" and "Fly With Me". He is the first artist of Bangladeshi descent to have entered the mainstream music industry and still remains to this day one of the latest prospects of British-Asian R&B artists in Britain.[1]

Early life

Ahmed was born and raised in Plaistow, Newham in East London to Bengali Muslim parents. He is of Bangladeshi origin and was raised in a traditional Islamic home.[2]

In 2000, Ahmed started out in the UK garage scene at the age of 16, and was involved in pirate radio until 2003 when he left as he felt like a stranger (from which he derived his stage name). So far since his rise to local fame, his main fan base today is still derived from the East side of London and has yet to make a name for himself in other parts of London and the country, though he has had semi international success in his career.[3]

2005–08: Career beginning

Ahmed was one of three finalists in BBC Asian Network's Unsung competition in 2005 with his song "Jump Up",[4][5] after a friend of his sent in Stranger's demo tape,[6] which caught the attention of Rishi Rich, a Bhangra-fusion producer who was also one of the judges for the competition.[7]

Two years later, as a graduate from the University of Westminster, achieving a BA (Hons) in Business Information Technology,[1] Ahmed finally went into the studio with Rishi Rich. With the help of Rishi Rich, he released his promo single, "Let's Party" in 2007, which Rich produced along with the next single, "Stranger". He performed in the UK at the Royal Festival Hall in South Bank, London and at the 2008 Baishakhi Mela, a concert of Bangladeshi musicians. He also performed at the award show for the UK Asian Music Awards in 2008.

2009: Debut single and collaborations

Ahmed's debut single "One More Dance" was produced by Rishi Rich and was released in July 2009.[8] The single was set to be titled "One More Chance" but was later changed to "One More Dance", according to Rishi Rich.[9] It failed to reach the mainstream charts but topped the UK Asian Charts on its debut.[10][11] His second single, "Showgirl", was released in August 2009.[6][12] Mumzy is heard on two tracks on The Streets of Bollywood 3, a remix album by Rishi Rich, Hunterz and Kami K, mainly focusing on bringing Indian and urban music together.

Ahmed collaborated with several UK and international desi artists, such as H-Dhami, Preeya Kalidas, Abbas Hasan and Malkit Singh.[13]

On 18 November 2010, Ahmed supported Sean Kingston at The O2 Arena.[14]

2010: Debut mixtape and album released

Ahmed released his debut mixtape, No Stranger to This, which was put together in the course of seven days and officially released on 11 December, a day before his debut album, Journey Begins. Stranger and Stereo Nation are heard on the soundtrack of It's a Wonderful Afterlife. The track is a remix of a hit song by Stereo Nation, "Larl Larl Buleeya (Remix)". The track is Stranger's debut on a British film soundtrack. He is also heard on the soundtrack of Toonpur Ka Super Hero, making his debut on a Bollywood film soundtrack.

2011–12: Award nominations and singles

At the UK Asian Music Awards's Nominations Party held at the West Midlands' super-club Gatecrasher, in Birmingham on 1 February, Ahmed was nominated for 4 awards, Best Album (for Journey Begins), Best Male Act, Best Urban Act and Best Video (for "Fly With Me"), the most for any solo act at the UK Asian Music Awards 2011.[15] He ended up winning Best Urban Act.[16]

After the release of his debut album, he released his new promotional single titled "Mama Used to Say", a collaboration with Grammy-Award winning British R&B singer, Junior, which was released on 10 March.[17] Stranger performed the single at the UK AMA with Junior.[18]

On 8 April 2011, Ahmed's single "Heartbreaker" was released as a free download.[19][20]

Ahmed collaborated with Junai Kaden[21] on the track "Aaja Mere Naal". The track is Junai Kaden's debut single and produced by Mumzy himself. The single was released on 14 April 2011.[22] The track entered the UK Asian Download Chart at no. 7, making it his very first top 10 single.

2013–present: Brand new projects

Mumzy is the featured artist on Nafees' song titled "Sazaa", which went to number 1 on The Official Asian Download Chart in its first week of release, making it Mumzy's first number one single to date. He has also released his new record, "Love Comfort" featuring himself and a new female artist he signed, Shayma. He has also been to India with Tasha Tah to feature in a song called "Kurbaan"; this track was made before but the Bollywood Industry extended it for 6 minutes and the video has been shown on B4U Music.[23]

Mumzy then went on to make his Imperial debut at Shaam '14. To be completely honest, he gave it his all but in the end it wasn't enough to impress and his performance was absolute shit. After 5 minutes of autotune and backing track (with the crowd completely oblivious to his attemps to turn up) he left the venue in tears after being completely ignored. Rumours say he got into a physical altercation with the Paksoc presidents on his way out after the presidents refused to pay him for his shit performance. Regardless, Mumzy will be back next year at Shaam '15 dropping his new mixtape. So come Shaam yeah?

Charity work

Ahmed is an ambassador for Newham Council's anti-violence campaign to prevent gun and knife crime.[24] On 29 August 2010, Stranger took part in the Sky Ride Leicester, a free, family-orientated and fun traffic-free mass participation cycling event in Leicester, England.[25]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2009 Urban Music Awards Best UK Asian Act Won
2010 BritAsia TV Music Awards Best Newcomer Act Won
Best Urban Asian Act Won
2011 UK Asian Music Awards Best Album (Journey Begins) Won
Best Male Act Won
Best Urban Act Won
Best Video (Fly With Me) Won
2014 BritAsia TV Music Awards Non-Asian Music Producer Won

Discography

Journey Begins (2010)

Journey Begins
Studio album by Mumzy Stranger
Released 12 December 2010
Recorded 2009–2010
Genre R&B, hip-hop, bashment
Length 51:54
Label Stranger Productions
Producer Mumzy Stranger, Rax Timyr, Rishi Rich, Diligent, Steel Bangelz, THE ALiBI, Vee
Journey Begins
Review scores
Source Rating
DesiHits

Journey Begins is Stranger's debut album, released on 12 December 2010 in the UK on Tiffin Beats Records.[26]

Singles

The album's lead single is "Fly With Me", produced by himself at his home studio. The single debuted at number 15 on the UK Asian Download Chart and stayed in the top 40 for more than 17 weeks but dropped off the chart at week 18. There are several remixes of "Fly With Me", a Grime Mix featuring Flo Dan, Gods Gift, KID & Roly; a Rishi Rich Kulcha Mix and a Bangla Mix featuring SH8S. Stranger's fourth and final single from the album is "Spaceman" featuring Wiley.

Promotion

Stranger performed songs from his new album with a live orchestra to 600 fans and media at a one-off concert on 18 December at Stratford Circus.[27]

Critical reception

DesiHits rated the album 3/5, stating their description of the album as simply average. They stated: "Despite high expectations and many memorable collaborations and features, "Journey Begins" doesn't impress us. But we know how what a great singer Mumzy Stranger is and we are hoping he snatches them awards."[28]

Commercial reception

The album achieved moderate success, reaching number 4 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Album Chart on its debut.[29] The album was nominated for "Best Album" award at the UK Asian Music Awards 2011.[30]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Fly With Me"  Ghetto RefixMumzy Stranger, Rax Timyr 03:53
2. "Superwoman"  Mumzy StrangerRax Timyr 03:33
3. "Drop It"  Mumzy Stranger, THE ALiBIDiligent 03:35
4. "Positive Vibe"  THE ALiBIDiligent 03:58
5. "Spaceman" (featuring Wiley)Mumzy StrangerSteel Bangelz 04:38
6. "Schizophrenic"  Mumzy Stranger, THE ALiBIDiligent 03:23
7. "Left With None"  Mumzy StrangerDiligent 03:22
8. "Rainfall"  Mumzy StrangerDiligent, THE ALiBI 04:01
9. "Can I Love Again"   Mumzy Stranger, THE ALiBI 04:10
10. "Genesis" (featuring Yasmin)Mumzy StrangerRax Timyr, Mumzy Stranger 03:32
11. "Promises"  Mumzy StrangerRishi Rich, Rax Timyr 04:58
12. "Fatal Attraction"  Mumzy StrangerRax Timyr 04:33
13. "Sexy Mama"  Mumzy StrangerRax Timyr, THE ALiBI 04:18
Total length:
 60:45

Mixtapes

Guest appearances

Videography

Music videos

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Mumzy's Bio". BBC Asian Network. 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  2. ↑ "Bio". Mumzy's Official Website. 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  3. ↑ Maher, Amelia (19 August 2009). "Mumzy Stranger: Mumz The Word". RWD Magazine. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  4. ↑ "Unsung finalist". BBC Asian Network. 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  5. ↑ Press office (30 March 2005). "Three finalists go head to head in BBC Asian Network Unsung 2005". BBC. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Interview with Mumzy Stranger". Desi-Box Media. July 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  7. ↑ "Mumzy: Brit-Bengali Soul". MTV Iggy. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  8. ↑ "Mumzy launch party". The Asian News. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  9. ↑ "Making of One More Dance Music Video". MTV Iggy. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  10. ↑ "Mumzy Stranger – 'One More Dance'". Radar Music Videos. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  11. ↑ "Making of Mumzy's "One More Dance" Music Video". MTV Iggy. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  12. ↑ "Mumzy Stranger's Showgirl". The Asian News. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  13. ↑ "Top 5 Collaborations". DesiHits. 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  14. ↑ "Mumzy to support Sean Kingston". DesiHits. 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  15. ↑ "Most Nominations at UK AMA 2011". dailyrindblog. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  16. ↑ Jas Sembhi (10 March 2011). "2011 UK Asian Music Awards Winners". desiblitz.com. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  17. ↑ "Brand new single". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  18. ↑ "Mumzy & Junior's Performance at UK AMA". BBC Asian Network. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  19. ↑ "Making of "Heartbreaker"". DesiBox.com. 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  20. ↑ "Mumzy Stranger is a "Heartbreaker"". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  21. ↑ "New Mentor Role". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  22. ↑ "Mumzy's new protoge". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  23. ↑ "Sazaa is Number 1". BBC Asian network. 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  24. ↑ "Mumzy Stranger fights Knife and gun Crime with Tower Hamlets". Newham Council. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  25. ↑ "Sky Ride Leicester (Mumzy Stranger)". Zimbio. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  26. ↑ "Debut Album release date". simplybhangra. 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  27. ↑ "Journey Begins: One-Off Concert". Asian News. 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  28. ↑ "Journey Begins: Album Review". DesiHits. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  29. ↑ "No. 4 on iTunes Hip-Hop Chart". Mumzy's Official Website. 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  30. ↑ "UK AMA 2011". BBC Asian Network. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  31. ↑ "Mumzy – MixTape". DesiDrop.Com. 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2008.

External links