Omar Musa

Omar Musa was born in 1984 in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia, to a multiracial family. His father, Musa bin Masran, was a prominent accomplished poet and former actor from Sandakan as well as Sipitang,{{Cite web|title = Lightning Over Sandakan|url = https://omarmusa.bandcamp.com/track/lightning-over-sandakan|publisher = The Saturday Paper|access-date = 2025-03-29|language = en-AU}} Sabah, Malaysia, immigrated to Sydney in 1980. His father is of Suluk heritage, whilst Musa’s paternal grandmother is of Kedayan descent from the border areas between Malaysian Borneo and Brunei.

Musa’s mother, Helen Musa, of Irish extraction, is a former theatre director and historian who is now an arts journalist and critic. She currently serves as the arts editor for Canberra CityNews and has worked extensively in the arts field.{{Cite web|title = Rapper, poet and novelist Omar Musa|url = https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/books/2019/11/02/rapper-poet-and-novelist-omar-musa/15726132009018|publisher = The Saturday Paper|access-date = 2025-03-29|language = en-AU}}

Musa grew up in a block of flats in Queanbeyan, a satellite city of Canberra often referred to as "struggle town." He has described his upbringing as influenced by the cultural diversity of his Macedonian, Korean and Serbian neighbours, whose homes were filled with the scents of traditional cooking. He also witnessed social challenges within his community, including domestic violence, which he recalled in his 2013 TEDxSydney talk, Slam Poetry of the Streets. In the talk, he contrasted his childhood with the idealised image of Australia, stating that his experience held "no white sails of the Opera House ... no pavlova."{{Cite web|title =Omar Musa, Australia's star slam poet, brings 'in-betweener' perspective to US|url = https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/feb/17/omar-musa-australia-malaysia-poet-here-come-the-dogs|publisher = the garret podcast|access-date = 2025-03-29|language = en-AU}}

Despite financial constraints, Musa was raised in an environment immersed in the arts. His parents, both strong advocates for artistic expression, provided him with access to cultural experiences such as concerts, exhibitions and theatre performances. This exposure played a significant role in shaping his creative development, and he has credited it as a formative influence on his artistic journey.{{Cite web|title =At home with Omar Musa|url = https://thegarretpodcast.com/at-home-with-omar-musa/|publisher = the garret podcast|access-date = 2025-03-29|language = en-AU}}

Musa studied at the Australian National University and the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he honed his literary and artistic skills.

Musa's career began in poetry, and he gained national attention as a runner-up in the 2007 Australian Poetry Slam.{{Cite web|title = Poetry Slam comes down to a 'Slam-off'|url = http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/12/04/2438328.htm|publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date = 2016-01-28|language = en-AU}} He won the competition the following year, performing at the Sydney Opera House. He also won the Indian Ocean Poetry Slam in 2009.{{cite web |last1=Mordue |first1=Mark |title=Omar Musa |url=https://neighbourhoodpaper.com/expression/omar-musa-in-amsterdam/ |website=Neighbourhood |date=24 January 2018 |access-date=12 April 2024}}

Much of Musa's early work explores themes of migration, Australian racism, violence, masculinity and loneliness. He has published four poetry collections: The Clocks (2009),{{cite web |title=The clocks / by Omar Musa |url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/6609454 |website=National Library of Australia |access-date=12 April 2024}} Parang (2009), Millefiori (2012),{{cite web |title=Omar Musa: Millefiori |url=https://www.penguin.com.au/books/millefiori-9780646969244 |website=Penguin |access-date=12 April 2024}} and Killernova (2018). Parang, named after the Malay word for "machete," explores themes of his Malaysian heritage, migration, and loss.{{cite web |title=Omar Musa: Parang |url=https://www.penguin.com.au/books/parang-9780143572275 |website=Penguin |access-date=12 April 2024}} Millefiori and Killernova further delve into subjects such as identity, masculinity, and disempowerment. Musa's poetry is known for its poignant and reflective examination of cultural identity and personal struggles.

During a visit to family in Borneo, Musa developed an interest in woodcutting, which led him to incorporate his own woodcut artwork in Killernova, adding a visual element to his creative work.{{cite web |last1=Cousins |first1=Lucy E |title=Multi-Faceted Artist Omar Musa On Operating At The Margins |url=https://taustralia.com.au/omar-musa/ |website=T Australia |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=12 August 2022}} Musa's fourth collection of poetry, Killernova, also features his woodcuts.{{cite web |title=5 Questions with Omar Musa |url=https://www.liminalmag.com/5-questions/omar-musa |website=Liminal Mag |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=2 December 2021}}

Musa has collaborated with various musicians and hip-hop artists, including Kae Tempest,{{cite web |title=Omar Musa |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplejunearthed/artist/omar-musa-qbn/ |website=ABC |date=24 August 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}} Kae Tempest, Horrorshow, Kate Miller-Heidke, L-FRESH the LION,{{cite web |last1=Fuamoli |first1=Sosefina |title=Omar Musa opens up on his new EP, Dead Centre, and his return to music after time out of the hip hop scene|url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/omar-musa-opens-up-on-his-new-ep-dead-centre-and-his-return-to-music-after-time-out-of-the-hip-hop-scene/ |website=The AU Review |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=5 August 2016}} Marc E. Bassy, Lior, Hau Latukefu from Koolism, Joelistics, The Last Kinection, Daniel Merriweather, Mantra, Akala, and Soweto Kinch.{{cite web |title=Omar Musa |url=https://literaturfestival.com/en/authors/omar-musa/ |website=internationales literaturfestival berlin |access-date=12 April 2024}} His work frequently combines poetry with music, showcasing his versatility and ability to blend literary and musical expressions.

In 2014, Musa published his debut novel, Here Come the Dogs,{{cite web |title=Omar Musa: Here Come The Dogs |url=https://www.penguin.com.au/books/here-come-the-dogs-9780670077090 |website=Penguin |access-date=12 April 2024}} which centers on the lives of three disillusioned young men in small-town Australia. The novel examines issues of race, identity, and the struggles of marginalized youth. 'The Los Angeles Times called the novel "rousing" and "searing", and said that "with compassion and urgency, Here Come the Dogs excavates the pain of those who struggle to remain part of a ruthless equation that has been determined by others."{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-0117-omar-musa-20160117-story.html|title=Review: Omar Musa brings Australian hip-hop, poetry and subculture to the US in 'Here Come the Dogs'|date=14 January 2016|website=Los Angeles Times}} Here Come the Dogs was nominated for numerous awards, such as the Miles Franklin Award and the International Dublin Literary Award, and won the People's Choice Award at the ACT Book of the Year Awards.{{cite web |title=Henshaw, Musa take Book of the Year honours |url=https://the-riotact.com/henshaw-musa-take-book-of-the-year-honours/160427 |website=Riotact |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=18 December 2015}} Musa was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's'' Young Novelists of the Year and short-listed for the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards in 2015.{{cite web |title=NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2015 shortlists announced |url=https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2015/04/24/32926/nsw-premiers-literary-awards-2015-shortlists-announced/ |website=Books + Publishing |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=24 April 2015}}

In 2017, Musa released Since Ali Died, a full-length hip hop album featuring Sarah Corry, Amali Golden and Tasman Keith.{{cite web |title=Omar Musa "Since Ali Died" new album out now |url=https://allaussiehiphop.com/2017/12/05/omar-musa-since-ali-died-new-album-out-now/ |website=All Aussie Hip Hop |access-date=12 April 2024 |date=5 December 2017}} In 2018, he created a one-man play, Since Ali Died, based upon the album, that premiered at Griffin Theatre in Sydney, Australia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/sydney/theatre/since-ali-died-review|title=Since Ali Died review | Theatre in Sydney|website=Time Out Sydney |last1=Tongue |first1=Cassie }}

Musa continues to be an active figure in both the literary and artistic communities, using his diverse body of work to explore themes of identity, race, and the human experience.

• The Clocks (2009)
• Parang (2013)
• Here Come the Dogs (2014)
• Millefiori (2017)
• Killernova (2021: Australia, Penguin) (2022: UK, Broken Sleep Books)

• Since Ali Died (2018)

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Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian hip-hop musicians

Category:Obese Records artists

Category:People from Queanbeyan

Category:Australian male poets

Category:21st-century Australian novelists

Category:21st-century Australian poets

Category:Australian people of Malaysian descent

Category:Australian people of Irish descent

Category:Australian Muslims

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