Maimouna Youssef

Maimouna Youssef is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. She claims to be of Choctaw, Creek, Cherokee and African American heritage.[1] She performs music under the stage name Mumu Fresh.

Musical career

Youssef earned a Grammy nomination for her vocal contribution to “Don’t Feel Right” by The Roots in 2007.[2][3] She performed in the 2007 hip-hop documentary film Dave Chappelle’s Block Party.[4] Youssef released an EP, Black Magic Woman, and a full album, The Blooming, in 2011.[5][6] With DJ Dummy, she released the album Vintage Babies featuring Common, Irvin Washington, and Malik Yusef in 2017.[7][8]

Youssef represented the Washington DC chapter of the Recording Academy at the 2015 'GRAMMY Festival at Sea'.[9] She performed an NPR Tiny Desk concert with August Greene in February 2018, and her own set in July 2018.[10][11]

On September 26, 2018, Youssef was the featured guest on What's Good with Stretch and Bobbito, an NPR podcast. She talks about her Native American heritage, culture, and family. She also shares how her mother, grandmother, and brother affected her as a youngster and fledgling vocalist, including an anecdote that her mother knew she could sing by listening to her cry. Youssef relates her experiences navigating the music industry as a signed and as an independent artist.

In 2021, she was featured on Tech N9ne's album ASIN9NE alongside rapper Lil Wayne on the song "Too Good"

Life

Youssef was born in Baltimore, but moved to Philadelphia when she was about ten. She was partly home schooled by her theatrical parents who taught her how to handle an audience and a microphone.[12] She went to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts when she was in her teens graduating in the class of 2002.[13] She went on to the New York Film Academy, but she dropped out. She returned to Baltimore and went to live with her aunt.[12]

References
  1. Tesfamariam, Rahiel (6 December 2011). "Interview: Maimouna Youssef". Urban Cusp. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  2. "Grammy nominations - The Roots". Grammy Awards Official Website. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  3. "BBC Music - The Roots featuring Maimouna Youssef". BBC Music. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  4. Ugwuomo, Ugi (27 June 2014). "Ebony Magazine Interview: Maimounna Youssef". Ebony. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  5. "Review: Blooming". Soul Bounce. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  6. "Review: Black Magic Woman". Washington City Paper. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  7. Cakes, B (7 September 2017). "Soulbounce Vintage Babies Review". Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  8. Fontaine, Drew (9 December 2017). "The Couch Sessions Review: Vintage Babies". Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  9. "Performers at the GRAMMY Festival at Sea". Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  10. Chandler, D L (11 July 2018). "Hip Hop Wired: Review of Mumu Fresh". Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  11. "NPR Tiny Desk Concert: Mumu Fresh". NPR. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  12. "Outtakes: Maimouna Youssef Discusses "Black Magic," Recording With The Roots". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  13. "Ellington School Alumni: Maimouna Youssef". The Duke Ellington School. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
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