Ahnaf, the Muscian

Mohamed Ahnaf Ibrahim, 22 years old, aka Nuff got into the music field because it always felt natural to him. He said that he was brought up in a home where people recognized the importance of music in everyday life. Ahnaf says that when he writes, it feels like a necessary release that he can and have gotten completely lost in music making for days on end because he finds it extremely enjoyable and thought provoking.

He finds himself always humming melodies, even when doing menial household chores. He eventually comes up with a line or two and quickly records that into his phone and later on, picks up whichever instrument is closest to him and then he’s off! Other times, he just feels like making a beat or trying out a specific chord progression if that is the case. He normally sits in his workstation by the keyboard.

Nuff believes that musicians and artists in general are the truth tellers of our society. When something happens that catches our attention as a nation, artists tend to be among the first to comment on it. As a songwriter, there are things that he can’t say any way other than through a song. Whether it be commenting on politics and societal issues or admitting things to himself that he finds hard to do any other way.

With regard to how he wants to impact the scene in the Maldives, he’s very keen to level out the playing field for those musicians just starting out – himself included. Nuff agrees that The Maldivian Musicians Union is doing good work to protect its artists and provides them with the support they need to pursue this wonderful experience of being a musician. He added that the union has his full support and that he he looks forward to the work they have planned and will do.

When asked if he had something to say to aspiring young musicians he said, given that he’s an upcoming artist and is new on the scene, Nuff feels it inappropriate for him to dish out advice about this without having had enough experience to offer advice of value. That said, if you are interested in music and have things to say, just start with what you’ve got. Write songs and let everything out.