Mustafa “Effortless” Shakir

Spoken Word Poet, Artist, Singer, Songwriter.

Mustafa “Effortless” Shakir says that the term “renaissance man” is passé and that we should all refer to him as a “polymath,” the consummate hyphenate artist extraordinaire. Raised in Harlem during the 80’s and 90’s, he found himself drawn to the many art forms around him, pooling inspiration from hip hop, dance, culture, film, photography, fashion, philosophy etc. “I’ve been writing since I can remember being able to hold a pen, my mother was always writing something so I guess I took suite.” Poetry came naturally to Mustafa who has used the written word to process his emotional impressions growing up. Poetry led to rapping and three albums to date HolyWar, Chameleon, and DIEMIND: god the carbon copy; plus partnership with Candice Anitra and the Love Machine project. (new ep released 11/14)

Mustafa’s written work also includes narrative script writing, he’s written, directed, and starred in a sitcom pilot presentation called, “HollyWeird Fitness” as well as a short film entitled, “Untitled Symphony” that has won some accolades on the festival circuit. Currently his writing’s taken the shape of a one-man experience called, “XII: SpokenYouniverse;” a multi-character spoken word journey through consciousness, which is being produced by Russell Simmons for All Def Digital’s poetry Vertical.

Mustafa has been popping up here and there on the big and small screen, with “Record/Play” which was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2013 but most recently on NCIS: Los Angeles, Shameless, and slated to shoot in November a HBO mini series titled, “Crime” helmed by John Turturro.

What is closet to his heart is The Love Mob, an organization he founded with two other lights, whose goal is the reconnect 3.7 billions people to the power of love and community through Organized Acts of Love. Founded in 2012 TLM has been involved in initiatives ranging from flash mobs for a purpose to campaign support for Marianne Williamson’s bid for congress. “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

An album, a sitcom, a web-series, an organization dedicated to spreading love, a short in pre-production, and a touring one man show he is certainly living up to his name “Effortless” and his claim. “….with God anything is possible.”