Mumzy Stranger

Muhammad Mumith Ahmed (Bengali: মুহাম্মদ মুমিথ আহমেদ; born 18 January 1984), known professionally as Mumzy Stranger or his producing name SP, is an English rapper, 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 one of the latest prospects of British-Asian R&B artists in Britain.[1] He sings in a unique style combining reggae, dancehall, R&B and soul, and in different languages including English, Bengali, Punjabi, Hindi and Arabic.

Mumzy Stranger
মুহাম্মদ মুমিথ আহমেদ
Background information
Birth nameMuhammad Mumith Ahmed
Also known asMumzy Stranger, SP, Stranger Productions
Born (1984-01-18) 18 January 1984
Plaistow, London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • dancer
InstrumentsPiano, guitar
Years active2005–present
Labels
  • Tiffin Beat Records
  • Timeless London
Associated acts
Websitewww.mumzystranger.com

Early life

Ahmed was born and raised in Plaistow, Newham in East London to Bengali Muslim parents. He is the second youngest of six in his family.[2] He is of Bengali origin and was raised in a traditional Islamic home.[3]

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). Since his rise to local fame, his main fan base is still derived from the east side of London. He has also gained international success.[4]

2005–08: Career beginning

Ahmed was one of three finalists in BBC Asian Network's Unsung competition in 2005 with his song "Jump Up",[5][6] after a friend of his sent in Stranger's demo tape,[7] which caught the attention of Rishi Rich, a Bhangra-fusion producer who was also one of the judges for the competition.[8]

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 Boishakhi 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.[9] The single was set to be titled "One More Chance" but was later changed to "One More Dance", according to Rishi Rich.[10] His second single, "Showgirl", was released in August 2009.[7][11] 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.[12]

On 18 November 2010, Ahmed supported Sean Kingston at The O2 Arena.[13]

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.

In December 2010, Stranger's debut album was Journey Begins released on in the UK.[14] Stranger performed songs from the album with a live orchestra to 600 fans and media at a one-off concert on 18 December at Stratford Circus in Stratford, London.[15] 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 produced by chart topping producer Steel Banglez.

2011–12: Award nominations and Stranger Family

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.[16] He ended up winning Best Urban Act.[17]

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.[18] Stranger performed the single at the UK AMA with Junior.[19]

On 8 April 2011, Ahmed's single "Heartbreaker" was released as a free download.[20][21]

Ahmed collaborated with Junai Kaden[22] 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.[23] The track entered the UK Asian Download Chart at no. 7, making it his very first top 10 single.

In 2012, Ahmed launched Stranger Family, a music collective with Junai Kaden, Char Avell, Tasha Tah and Ramee.[24] The group released their debut single, "Ghetto Refix" in 2012, which was a new version of Kaden's track "Ghetto" from his album From Me to You.[25]

In November 2012, Stranger Family was scheduled to tour the UK alongside Canadian-South Asian group Culture Shock in the XOXO Tour, with the two groups even collaborating on a single, "XOXO", for promotion of the tour.[26][27] However, due to poor ticket sales and issues regarding managing from Tiffin Beats Records, the tour was cancelled[28] and would eventually lead to the breaking up of the Stranger Family.[29][30]

2013–17: Independent success

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, the song was written by Yazz Nasir. He has also been to India with Tasha Tah to feature in a song called "Kurbaan". The track was made before, but the song was remade for Bollywood and the video has been shown on B4U Music.[31]

After leaving his previous label, Tiffin Beats Records, Mumzy released a new record, "Love Comfort", as part of his new label he created, Timeless London.

Similar to how Mumzy launched artists as part of his Stranger Family collective in 2012,[25][24] Mumzy began launching new artists with his comeback with "Love Comfort". "Love Comfort" featured himself and a new female artist he signed, Shayma, and was produced by Lyan Roze, a producer signed to Timeless London who would go on to produce many of Mumzy's future singles.[32][33] Mumzy then signed Rupika Vaidya, a Sweden-based singer, and was a featured artist on her debut single, "Karle Manmani" in 2015.[34] In 2016, Mumzy signed Nish, who featured in the Bangla Refix of Ahmed's single "Jaan Atki", which was produced by Lyan Roze and would go on to become No. 1 on the UK ITunes World Chart.[32][33][35] In late 2015, Mumzy Stranger featured in Iksy's parody music video alongside Corner Shop Show, Humza Arshad, Bengali Blitz, Puremovements and Char Avell.

2018–present: Vertigo and new projects

In March 2018, he featured in Humza Arshad's parody of the viral Nike advertisement, known as "Nothing Beats A Londoner", featuring notable Londoners from underrepresented minorities such as Juggy D, H-Dhami, Tasha Tah, Sevaqk, Bobby Friction, Raxstar, Tez Ilyas, Arjun, Steel Banglez, Char Avell, Jay Sean, Corner Shop Show (Islah Abdur-Rahman, Michael Truong, Can Snatchy Kabadayi) and Naughty Boy.[36][37]

Mumzy Stranger was featured on Dutch-Pakistani F1rstman's collaborative single "Dance" alongside fellow UK South Asian artists Raxstar, H-Dhami & Juggy D.[38][39] The single, described as starting a "global desi movement",[39][40] became successful and would go on to feature on Spotify's Global X playlist and win Best Collaboration at the 2019 BritAsia TV Music Awards.[41] The five would also later release a remix featuring Arjun to coincide with the 2019 Cricket World Cup[42] with new lyrics to match the cricket theme.[39]

Mumzy featured on Nish's debut album Identity, co-producing and singing on the lead single "Love Lost" and producing the song "Maa Baba".[43] After Identity, Mumzy was featured on Master-D's summer single "Tumi Jaio Na",[44] both of which are considered part of an "urban Bangla movement".[39][40]

On the October 18, 2019, Mumzy released his second studio album, Vertigo. The album, with hip hop and R&B songs in multiple languages, features Mumzy's previous collaborators Nish, Raxstar, Arjun, F1rstman, and Lyan as well as J Riley, Snap Capone, Corleone and Inkra Dabelle.[45]

In 2020, Mumzy Stranger was featured on "Gallan Kardi", a remix of Jazzy B's hit song "Dil Luteya", from the Bollywood film Jawaani Jaaneman.[46]

In July 2020, Mumzy's 'Habibti' reached #4 on the Billboard 'Top Triller Global' list.[47]

Charity work

Ahmed is an ambassador for Newham Council's anti-violence campaign to prevent gun and knife crime.[48] 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.[49] For Ramadan 2018, Mumzy took part in Barnardo's FastForADay campaign.[50][51]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Result
2009 Urban Music Awards Best UK Asian Act Won
2010 BritAsia TV Music Awards[52] Best Urban Asian Act Won
2011 UK Asian Music Awards[53][54] Best Album (Journey Begins) Nominated
Best Male Act Nominated
Best Urban Act Won
Best Video ("Fly With Me") Nominated
2014 BritAsia TV Music Awards[55] Non-Asian Music Producer Won
2017 Urban Music Awards Artist of the Year (Asia) Won
2019 BritAsia TV Music Awards[41] Best Collaboration ("Dance" by F1rstman, Juggy D, H Dhami, Mumzy and Raxstar) Won

Discography
Main article: List of songs recorded by Mumzy Stranger

Albums
Album Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
Journey Begins
Vertigo
  • Released: 18 October 2019
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Mixtapes
  • MixTape (DesiDrop.com exclusive, collection of Mumzy's promo songs) (2008)[56]
  • No Stranger to This (hosted by DJ Limelight) (2010)
  • Now Or Never (mini mixtape, co-produced with JUSZONIN) (February 2015)

EPs
  • "7even" (EP) (co-produced with JUSZONIN) (2016)

Videography

Music videos
Year Song Artist Album Label Media Notes
2009 "One More Dance" Mumzy Stranger Tiffin Beats Records Tiffin Beats Records directed by Phil Hawkins/Box Bot
"Showgirl"
2010 "Fly With Me" Journey Begins directed by Orson Nava
"Nach Billo" Malkit Singh Billo Rani Moviebox Moviebox
"Manjave" Sophie Choudry Sound of Sophie
"Shimmy" Preeya Kalidas Constant Craving
"Sona" Abbas Hasan
2011 "Ha Karde" Goldkartz 24 Karaatz X1Film
"Heartbreaker" Mumzy Stranger Desi Box Desi Box Desi Box exclusive track
"Aaja Mere Naal" Junai Kaden From Me to You Tiffin Beats Records Tiffin Beats Records
2012 "Ghetto Refix" Junai Kaden, Mumzy Stranger, Char Avell, Tasha Tah & Ramee lyrics by Yazz Nasir, Mumzy Stranger
2013 "Runaway" Mumzy Stranger
"Let Me In" Salique Black Label
"Sazaa" Nafees lyrics by Yazz Nasir
2014 "Love Comfort" Mumzy Stranger Timeless London Timeless Media directed by Mumzy Stranger & Humza Arshad
"Get to Know" directed by Humza Arshad
"Kuriya" Rameet Kaur
2015 "Got Me Singing" Raxstar directed by Hasinth Pathirana
"Ash Kardi" Mumzy Stranger Timeless London Timeless Media lyrics by Yazz Nasir & Mumzy Stranger
"Pray"
"Diamond Girl" Adam Saleh and Sheikh Akbar TrueStoryASA Directed by Waz Islam & Sachin Patel
"Circles" Mumzy Stranger Timeless London lyrics by Yazz Nasir and Mumzy Stranger
"Tomorrow's Another Day" Adam Saleh Naz Promotions Naz Promotions
"One Last Time Lyan Roze Mix" Stevie Hoang & Mumzy Stranger Stevie Hoang Stevie Hoang
2016 "Jaan Atki" Mumzy Stranger Timeless London Timeless Media
"Won't Leave" Char Avell Timeless London

XLVI Records

 Timeless Media

Avell Pictures
"Diamond Jewel" Mumzy Stranger Timeless London Timeless Media
"Diamond Jewel (Bangla Remix)"
"Let's Make Love" Mumzy Stranger & JusZonin
2017 Manja Nish
"Come My Way" Mumzy Stranger
Jaan Kad Di Jaave Mumzy Stranger, Lyan Roze, H-Dhami Timeless London Timeless Media

See also

References
  1. "Mumzy's Bio". BBC Asian Network. 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  2. "Mumzy Launch Party". Manchester Evening News. Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  3. "Bio". Mumzy's Official Website. 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  4. Maher, Amelia (19 August 2009). "Mumzy Stranger: Mumz The Word". RWD Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  5. "Unsung finalist". BBC Asian Network. 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  6. Press office (30 March 2005). "Three finalists go head to head in BBC Asian Network Unsung 2005". BBC. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  7. "Interview with Mumzy Stranger". Desi-Box Media. July 2009. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  8. "Mumzy: Brit-Bengali Soul". MTV Iggy. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  9. "Mumzy launch party". The Asian News. 17 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  10. "Making of One More Dance Music Video". MTV Iggy. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  11. "Mumzy Stranger's Showgirl". The Asian News. 15 August 2009. Archived from the original on 18 August 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  12. "Top 5 Collaborations". DesiHits. 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  13. "Mumzy to support Sean Kingston". DesiHits. 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  14. "Mumzy Stranger - The 'Journey Begins' (Out Soon)". SimplyBhangra.com. 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  15. "Mumzy Stranger to release debut album". Manchester Evening News. Manchester. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  16. "Most Nominations at UK AMA 2011". dailyrindblog. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  17. Jas Sembhi (10 March 2011). "2011 UK Asian Music Awards Winners". desiblitz.com. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  18. "Brand new single". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  19. "Mumzy & Junior's Performance at UK AMA". BBC Asian Network. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  20. "Making of "Heartbreaker"". DesiBox.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  21. "Mumzy Stranger is a "Heartbreaker"". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  22. "New Mentor Role". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  23. "Mumzy's new protoge". DesiHits. 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  24. "Tasha Tah talks 'Oye Oye', Honey Singh and Fusion Bhangra". DESIblitz. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
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  30. "Junai Kaden Sets The Record Straight About His Departure From The Stranger Family". 14 November 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  31. "Sazaa is Number 1". BBC Asian network. 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  32. "Nadia Ali speaks to Nish and producer Lyan". BBC. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  33. "Mumzy Stranger, Lyan Roze & Nish". BBC. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  34. "Rupika Vaidya ft. Mumzy Stranger- Karle Manmani is out now". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  35. "TALENTED SINGER NISH IS ALL SET TO BECOME THE NEXT BRITISH SUCCESS STORY - EasternEye". Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  36. "HUMZA ARSHAD: Nike Ad Parody". HumzaProductions. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  37. "Nothing Beats A Londoner PARODY". 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018 – via YouTube.
  38. "F1rstman unites for 5 Stars 'Dance' Collaboration". DESIblitz. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  39. Episode 35 - The Nish Episode, retrieved 8 April 2020
  40. Episode 34 - The Mumzy Stranger Episode, retrieved 8 April 2020
  41. Dhiren, Manga (7 December 2019). "BritAsia TV Music Awards 2019 Winners". www.desiblitz.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  42. F1rstman feat. Mumzy Stranger, H-Dhami, Raxstar, Arjun & Juggy D – Dance (Cricket World Cup Remix), retrieved 8 April 2020
  43. BritAsiaTV (4 March 2018). "NEW RELEASE: NISH FT. MUMZY STRANGER & LYAN – LOVE LOST". BritAsia TV. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
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  45. Vertigo by Mumzy Stranger, retrieved 8 April 2020
  46. "Jazzy B helps to Steal Hearts in Bollywood's Gallan Kardi". DESIblitz. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  47. "Kash Doll's 'Ice Me Out' Becomes Latest Top Triller U.S. No. 1 Song". Billboard. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  48. "Mumzy Stranger fights Knife and gun Crime with Tower Hamlets". Newham Council. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  49. "Sky Ride Leicester (Mumzy Stranger)". Zimbio. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  50. "Plaistow pop superstar Mumzy Stranger delves into Barnardo's rich east London archive". Barnardo's. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  51. "Plaistow singer Mumzy Stranger takes part in charity campaign for east London's muslim community". Newham Recorder. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  52. Sembhi, Jas. "Brit Asia TV Music Awards Winners". DESIblitz. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  53. "The Lebara Mobile UK Asian Music Awards 2011... and the nominees are..." ethnicnow.com. 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
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  55. Baddhan, Raj (7 October 2014). "Brit Asia Awards 2014: Winners list". BizAsia. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  56. "Mumzy – MixTape". DesiDrop.Com. 2008. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
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