Who is MYNA Raps?

Basically MYNA Raps is just a group of youth who write songs about Islam and the struggle as young Muslims in America. We are not really a group or anything. Anyone who has talent and writes Islamic lyrics on specific aspects of life as a young Muslim in America is welcome to represent on the tape.We try not to be superficial and just say good things about Muslims and Islam but rather go in depth into what really concerns Muslim youth in this country. Our main goal is not to please the people but to please Allah (SWA).

Where is MYNA Raps located?

MYNA Raps has no real location. A couple of brothers and sisters in the D.C. Metropolitan area have spearheaded the project for the last several years. But talent can come from anywhere. The very first MYNA Raps was produced by brothers in Indiana. The tapes themselves have been sold internationally.

Who is Native Deen?

Joshua Salaam, Abdul Mailk Ahmad, and Naeem Muhammad, who produced the MYNA Raps tapes, wanted to start a group where they could do this professionally. This is how Native Deen came about. The first album under the name of Native Deen will be coming out soon, Insha-Allah. This does not mean the end of MYNA Raps. We are currently looking for new talent to join us on the MYNA Raps 6 inshallah.

Who gets the money from MYNA Raps?

Since the work we do is only for the sake of Allah, we give the money made from the sales of the tapes to MYNA (Muslim Youth of North America). The money goes into funding camps and conferences in order to develop a higher awareness of Islam in Muslim youth. Also MYNA raps was produced this year with their own studio equipment. The money also goes into acquiring better equipment for future Islamic projects.

Why does MYNA Raps use no wind or string instruments?

There is a very big debate over the use of musical instruments. Some scholars such as Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi say that if the lyrics of the music is Islamic, then any type of musical instrument is permissible. However there are others that say that wind and string instruments must be avoided and only percussion (drums) instruments can be used. There other scholars that say that only the duff (tambourine) can be used. Even other say no instruments at all are allowed. Since this is such a hot debate, we tried to use the least amount of instruments possible and still give the sound most American Muslim youth are used to. All the sounds are produced electronically and we try to pick only the sounds that resemble a percussion sound. Some songs on the tapes use no instruments at all while some are limited to just basic drum sounds. Others use a array of different percussion sounds including electronically produced sounds of the marimba, log drum, and other percussion. We pray to Allah that our intentions are accepted in this matter and we have made a correct decision. Click here for a discussion about music in Islam

Why do all MYNA Raps have a similar format?

If you listen to any MYNA Raps, you will notice a similar format in each tape. This is done so that the youth can be exposed to Quranic ayats and Arabic nasheeds in addition to the songs. We try to preface each tape with Arabic nasheeds (songs/chants) and have an ayat of the Qur'an before each song. This way the listener will be able to understand the song better after hearing the verse that precedes it.

What style of songs are on MYNA Raps?

Despite the name MYNA Raps, we try to be as diverse as possible when producing an album. On the tapes currently available, we have a variety of styles including rap, reggae, and regular songs. We always include a song/chant that repeats an Arabic phrase like "La illaha illlah" (There is no God but Allah).

How can I be on MYNA Raps?

We are always looking for new people to be on MYNA Raps. Although we are not looking for a specific style, we are looking for specific content in the song. The songs on MYNA Raps are geared to Muslim youth in this country. So the content of the song should be geared toward them. This means that songs overly childish are not encouraged. But if you have a song, rap or even a poem, please send it to this address: info@mynaraps.com

Who were the people who worked on the last two tapes?

Here is a list of the people who worked on the "THE NEXT LEVEL":

Producer: Abdul-Malik Ahmad

Advisors: Amer Ahmad, Naeem Muhammad,

Lyrics:

Intentions alright - Naeem Muhammad, Abdul-Malik Ahmad

Istikhara - Abdul-Malik Ahmad

Deening - North Star, (beat courtesy of Scientific Sounds) Karim Amin, Naeem Muhammad

Worldly Satisfaction - Abdul-Malik Ahmad

The Eternal One - Navid Rasheed

Only Fear Allah - Abdul-Malik Ahmad

Huwa - North Star, Shaheed of SCU, beat courtesy of Scientific Sounds,Karim Amin, Naeem Muhammad, Aymen Shaheed, Jahar

The Next Level - Mu'minah Ahmad, Intisar Rabb

Here is a list of the people who worked on "FOR THE CAUSE OF ALLAH":

Producer: Abdul-Malik Ahmad

Advisors: Amer Ahmad, Naeem Muhammad, Joshua Salaam, Khalil Moore

MUSLIM: Naeem Muhammad, Abdul-Malik Ahmad

Remember the Days: Joshua Salaam

Hell Fire: Naeem, Joshua, Abdul-Malik

Thank You Allah: Abdul-Malik

Drug Free: Joshua

Subhannallah: Abdul-Malik

Ramadan: Joshua

Friends: Abdul-Malik

For the Cause of Allah: Joshua

Voices for Quranic Ayats: Hanaa Unus, Rahima Ullah, Yasmin Shafiq

Intro and ending: Hanna Unus