Native Deen is an
Islamic musical group from the
Washington, D.C. area. Native Deen's music combines a
hip-hop style with
lyrical themes grounded in
Islam.
The group uses
percussion instruments and synthetic sounds. They do not use wind or string instruments
"Deen" in
Arabic means "religion" or "way of life." Native Deen comprises Joshua Salaam, Naeem Muhammad, and Abdul-Malik Ahmad, young Muslim men who were born and raised in the District of Columbia. Their music seeks to inspire young people to keep their Islamic faith amid the pressures and temptations of daily life.
[1] Group members identify themselves as Muslim, and wear traditional Islamic dress such as
kufis and
shalwar kameez. They say there is more than one way to identify as a Muslim, both by etiquette and dress.
[1] Their music typifies the subgenre "positive hip-hop".
[2
Native Deen's members met through Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA). Each appeared on MYNA RAPS, an album produced to spotlight the work of aspiring Muslim
songwriters and recording artists. Salaam, Ahmad, and Muhammad, who were performing as solo acts, joined together to form Native Deen.
[1] Their music was produced under the "Mountain of Light" label, which was founded by
Yusuf Islam (previously known as
Cat Stevens).[
citation needed]
Native Deen's most recent album includes the track
Still Strong, featuring
Isam Bachiri of
Outlandish. In support of this album, the group toured Australia, performing in Sydney, in Queensland, and at the "Sounds of Light Concert" in Melbourne.[
citation needed]
The group's newest album is entitled "The Remedy
المفضلات