Don't Stop The Wire - March 24
Don't Stop is a publication dedicated to uplifting the underdogs and amplifying the voices of those who are often marginalized or overlooked.
Our platform is committed to sharing empowering stories, highlighting the resilience and achievements of individuals and communities that are typically underrepresented.
Through thought-provoking articles, inspiring interviews, and compelling visuals, Don't Stop aims to foster a sense of inclusivity and celebration of diversity.
Join us as we shine a spotlight on those who persevere against the odds and make a meaningful impact in the world. Together, let's ensure that their stories are not only heard but also respected and honored.
In Rotation
Discover Halima
@halimabot
Raised between Lagos and London, now based in Brooklyn, Halima draws from a tri-continental story that started as a student exploring the worlds of folk, jazz, and theatre and ever expands in the present. She marks her label debut with EXU, her first EP on the burgeoning Secretly affiliate drink sum wtr. Finding new pathways through the music of her youth — British soul, UK Garage, R&B, and beyond — Halima anchors the project in the infinite nature of self-discovery, uncertainty, and renewal:
"Both artistically and culturally, it represents all the places that informed my spirit."
Exu (Eshu) is the Yoruba deity of 'crossroads,' the great mediator between the forces of life and the messenger between humans and gods. "They are known for being the God of change, chaos, and unpredictability, so they are often misunderstood," Halima explains. "But they are present in our lives to bring us to better versions of ourselves. This project is about facing Exu and resisting it. Then succumbing and realizing Exu is within you."
Discover Earth to West
@earthtowest
Prolific artist Earth to West has once again defied expectations with the release of his fifth solo-produced album, "Hyena Carpets 3". Following a staggering pace of five albums in the last seven months, Earth to West continues to captivate audiences with his introspective lyricism and innovative soundscapes.
"Hyena Carpets 3" serves as a poignant reflection of Earth to West's internal journey intertwined with the complexities of the contemporary world. Through playful bars, conscious reflections, and unfiltered realism, the album offers listeners a raw and immersive experience.
Drawing inspiration from diverse musical genres including jazz rap, underground hip-hop, and experimental beats, Earth to West creates a sonic landscape that is both familiar and refreshingly original.
The album features a collaboration with talented artist Visca Blue, adding depth and dimension to Earth to West's already rich tapestry of sound.
Discover MUSTAFA
@mustafathepoet
Mustafa shares his first single of the new year, “Imaan,” alongside a self-directed music video that stars Imaan Hammam, creative direction from Ramy Youssef & co-direction from Nabil Elderkin. The single is his first for new label Jagjaguwar and follows his 2023 release “Name of God” and his critically acclaimed 2021 project When Smoke Rises. Alongside “Name of God,” “Imaan” serves as the second taste of Mustafa’s forthcoming debut album, which is set for release later this year.
Featuring backing vocals from Snoh Aalegra, “Imaan” marries Mustafa's Sudanese influences with American folk for a wholly singular sound. Against the steady strum of an acoustic guitar and a sample from Sudan's Abdel Gadir Salim, the song delivers a sincere tribute to how culture and God can stand in the way of love while trying to find a way to God that can protect it.
Speaking on the track, Mustafa shares:
‘Imaan’ is a love song between two people in search of God and purpose. It’s about longing for all that we don’t have evidence of. Two Muslims journeying through their love of borderless Western ideology and how it contradicts with the modesty & devotion in which they were raised. ‘Imaan’ sonically represents this tussle too - the Sudanese strings and Egyptian oud woven into the bed American folk chords and drums. This tapestry, this collision is the song, is the romance, is the person Mustafa is. How it’s never enough, or too much. The song sits in the grey that people of faith are afraid to live in, but identify with. It’s about the way faith swings beneath Mustafa and Imaan like a rope. How cultural tension and bias and racism can inform and dismember romance.”