Boshia Rae Jean

Hip Hop, Islam, and the challenges of being a young Muslimah in today's hectic world.

Q. Let’s start with the most obvious question. Who is Boshia Rae Jean?

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim... So first off I want to say this before I start public speaking or performing. I just want Allah to be in everything that I do, Inshallah. May Allah guide me down the righteous path, and forgive me for anything that I might say wrong. Ameen.

A. Who am I? Hmmmmmm, it’s not that simple, but it can be if I stop fighting with my nafs. You expect me to brag about what I do, and somehow think that will be satisfying to my soul but it won’t be because all I can do is focus on my Deen first. Allah has given me so much that I can’t go back to who I was. I’m currently a human being that is trying my best by focusing on how to be a better servant a to Allah subhana wa ta’ala.

Who I am has become a more in-depth answer for me when growing in Islam. There are things that I do and have been given the talent to do, Alhumdulillah. For instance I dance, I sing, I rap, and I write music. I even decided to get into birth work so I became a doula. So Who is Boshia Rae Jean? An evolving human perhaps. Who are you? That’s the question I should have answered you with. My art is not who am nor will I be defined by it, it’s a way of self expression, Alhumdulillah.

“Allah gives me all that I need to be successful. Allah is my guide, my source of sustainment, and answers to questions I have had for so long. Islam has allowed me to free up space of doubt and wonder in my mind.”

Q. When did you begin singing, and at what point did you realize, music is my calling?

A. My mom was very close to my next door neighbors at the time, and they would always go to church every Sunday. I was 9. My mother basically suggested to them to take me with them on Sundays. I was attending for like two months regularly, I believe, and my neighbors suggested for me to join the choir. I was so nervous it took me about two Sundays to actually say to the choir leader I would attend choir rehearsal. Keep in mind I didn’t plan on actually singing I just wanted to watch. I attended choir rehearsal that week ready to watch. It was then I was asked to try to sing a lead part by the choir director. I was like ok why did she feel compelled to choose me to sing lead? I started to learn the the melody from the organist while I was sweating profusely learning the song my heart was pounding so crazy.

I was not prepared for what was about to come out of my tiny mouth. I was shocked because I only would hum and play around at home singing songs. Surprisingly I could hold a tone. Hmm, I said, thank you God because I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen, but It was God given. I really couldn’t believe this powerful serene voice came out of me. As I was singing a woman who took the place I originally desired as a spectator said, “Amen that child can sing.” Alhumdulillah, I’m just grateful reflecting on this story. It literally is reminding me how Allah has been with me this whole time.

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