SpinSpinNYC

Mustafa Akbar is known across the globe as one of the best funk and modern soul singers and there’s something so amazing about his abilities and delivery. We first heard Trust featuring members of Mustafa’s band Nappy Riddem playing over a tiny smartphone speaker after wrapping up a party at the ESL mansion in Washington D.C. Once Nutritious & Commodore produced a moody, storming vocal house remix and dub, B.C. beat-chef JPOD delivered a signature bass bending break mix and reprise. Mustafa Akbar debuted in 2001 on the Thunderball album Scorpio Rising singing on ‘Heart Of The Hustler’ released by Thievery Corporation’s record label ESL Music. Since, Akbar’s been featured across numerous house, break, soul and funk records. In 2003, Akbar released his first solo music with the album Natural High. In 2006, Thunderball featured Akbar again, twice, on the album Cinescope (‘Return Of The Panther’ and ‘Elevated States’) released by ESL. In 2008, Fort Knox Five debuted their first album Radio Free DC featuring Akbar on four tracks, ‘The Spirit Of 75,’ ‘How To Start A Band,’ ‘Uptown Tricks’ and the successful ‘Funk 4 Peace.’ By 2009, Akbar released his second solo work, a soulful album titled That Day out on Kizum Music. In 2011, Akbar debuted his reggae band Nappy Riddem with the release One World Sovereignty on Fort Knox Recordings. Then, in 2013, Akbar forged a relationship with Europe’s Basement Freaks, singing on three tracks on the album Funk From The Trunk (‘Gimme More,’ ‘Bedroom Stories,’ and ‘Dancin’) out on Jalapeño Records. In 2015, Fort Knox Five released the album Pressurize The Cabin with Akbar taking center stage on both ‘Whatcha Gonna Do’ and ‘Keep It Poppin.’ In 2016, Akbar performed again with the Basement Freaks on the album Time Machine (‘Move Your Body’ and ‘Little Red Afro’)--’Little Red Afro,’ a tribute to long time friend and member of the Fort Knox Five, Jon H, who passed away in 2015. This project is years in the making and we look forward to highlighting Akbar’s musical prowess on SpinSpinNYC.

Nutritious - Flash It - SpinSpinNYC by Zoe Wilder

Nutritious - Moonset - SpinSpinNYC by Zoe Wilder

Kohib - Time For Cake - SpinSpinNYC by Zoe Wilder

Cubez is a new live act from Brooklyn rooted in the MPC traditions of DiViNCi, AraabMuzik and Just Blaze, however performed by a duo of drummers with a focus on Roland SPD samplers and the goal of uniting fans and dancefloors through future music. "Always hyped for new Cubez! Demented, intricate, twisted and intelligent beats from real musicians/songwriters who love bass! Starkey remix is of course killer also!" -Bassnectar "So sick, love this tune! Sxy trippy hip hop. My fave. Can't wait to hear more!" -Ooah (Glitch Mob / Panty Raid) "Skams is constantly keeping you guessing and doesn't follow some generic drop formula. It's a heavy one, and was a fun track to remix." -Starkey "Fun, eclectic, intricately orchestrated and combined with an incredibly skilled live performance." -Zoe Wilder (URB Magazine) Adding your early feedback and support is greatly appreciated as we prepare to roll out their debut release and accompanying music video on May 7th 2013.

Cubez is a new live act from Brooklyn rooted in the MPC traditions of DiViNCi, AraabMuzik and Just Blaze, however performed by a duo of drummers with a focus on Roland SPD samplers and the goal of uniting fans and dancefloors through future music. "Always hyped for new Cubez! Demented, intricate, twisted and intelligent beats from real musicians/songwriters who love bass! Starkey remix is of course killer also!" -Bassnectar "So sick, love this tune! Sxy trippy hip hop. My fave. Can't wait to hear more!" -Ooah (Glitch Mob / Panty Raid) "Skams is constantly keeping you guessing and doesn't follow some generic drop formula. It's a heavy one, and was a fun track to remix." -Starkey "Fun, eclectic, intricately orchestrated and combined with an incredibly skilled live performance." -Zoe Wilder (URB Magazine) Adding your early feedback and support is greatly appreciated as we prepare to roll out their debut release and accompanying music video on May 7th 2013.