Mim Suleiman

Mim Suleiman

Mim Suleiman is a singer, songwriter and performer from Sheffield, with roots in Zanzibar, Tanzania. She works across house, electronic and deep house, and her music also draws on soul, blues, funk, jazz, rock, dance music and East African traditions.

Background and style

Suleiman begins her musical career without formal training, leaving work as a teaching metallurgical technician at the University of Birmingham after she starts experiencing voices, rhythms and poetry as part of her creative practice. She writes in English and Swahili, her native language, and also sings in several other languages, including Fula. Her work centres on East African vocals and percussion, and she is known for a versatile, energetic stage presence.

Performing and recording

She records as a solo artist and performs internationally, with appearances across Asia and Europe. Alongside her own work, she is a member of Sheffield group Bare Knuckle Soul, which performs on MTV and receives support from BBC Radio 1 presenters Ras Kwame and Trevor Nelson. She also works on a collaboration project with Rafiki Jazz.

Other work

Suleiman also leads workshops, where she encourages audience participation and uses singing, rhythm and movement to teach East African grooves and vocal patterns.