written by Michael Brown
Raised under the bright lights and relentless pace of Harlem, New York, in the 60s and 70s, Brother Mustafa’s early life was steeped in the urban culture of the North. At just ten years old, he experienced a drastic shift, moving to the grassroots, country-boy lifestyle of Southeast Georgia. The transition was a culture shock, but it would later define the duality of his identity.
As a teenager, Brother Mustafa spent summers in Jesup, Georgia, during the explosion of hip hop, a cultural movement that resonated deeply within the African American community. The era was filled with DJs, MCs, breakdancers, and graffiti artists making their mark. Everyone wanted to be part of it, and Brother Mustafa was no exception. Taking on the moniker Grand Master T, he introduced a New York flavor to the South, becoming a respected DJ who knew how to keep the party going. What started as a hobby quickly became a lucrative endeavor, solidifying his name in the scene.
For Brother Mustafa, hip hop wasn’t just music—it was life. From 1972 to 2024, he witnessed the evolution of the culture, recalling the early days when hip hop provided a voice to the voiceless. Community parks were filled with MCs and rappers using music to express the struggles of African Americans. It was an art form that brought people together without the violence and drama that would later infiltrate the industry.
As hip hop grew, so did its influence on fashion. Master T reminisces about the polka-dot shirts, fresh sneakers, and high-top fades that became staples of the culture. The music and style went hand in hand, making the movement even more powerful.
Brother Mustafa’s upbringing was a tale of two cities—Harlem and Brooklyn. Splitting time between his father in Harlem and his mother and stepfather in Brooklyn, he experienced the best of both worlds. Despite having both father figures in his life, he couldn’t escape the temptations of his environment. Hustling became second nature, and alongside DJing, he turned to bootlegging and drug dealing to make money.
Reflecting on his past, Brother Mustafa shares an important lesson: “You have hustlers who do it out of necessity and those who do it for greed. I feel the ones who hustle out of necessity do better. That was my story.”
However, the game caught up with him. After an 18-month prison stint, he returned to a world that had changed. Determined never to touch drugs again, he sought a new path, working in construction and even helping build the mall in Brunswick and the federal prison in Jesup. Despite leaving the music industry behind, he found himself drawn back into the hustle—this time through money, women, and partying. His new vices led him further down a dangerous road.
The turning point came on a fateful night at a club. What started as a typical evening ended in violence. Retrieving his pistol “just in case,” he found himself in a deadly altercation. Shots were fired, and he fled, only to be cornered by the police. Within 72 hours, he learned that the man he shot had died. The weight of that realization crushed him—one night had cost him everything.
His mother collapsed upon hearing the news, and he had to face his father with the truth. But the deepest pain came from knowing he had taken a life—an innocent college student who would never return to his family. Out on bail, Brother Mustafa lived recklessly, knowing he was destined for a 15-year sentence.
The final breaking point came when he had to tell his daughter he was going away for a long time. The moment he heard the judge read out his sentence—life plus 25 years—his mother’s cries filled the courtroom, solidifying the harsh reality.
Today, Brother Mustafa reflects on his journey, carrying the lessons of his past while still holding onto the essence of mastering his craft as a business man, maintaining his faith in Allah, and a second chance at life. His story is a testament to transformation, redemption, and the enduring power of culture.
Check Out Brother Mustafa On Voices of The Village Podcast
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