Mustafa was born in Lebanon and raised in Basra, Iraq, located at the tip of the Persian Gulf. From an early age, he was influenced by a variety of musical styles due to the heavy trade between Asia and Africa. With no access to instruments and his parent’s refusal to pay for music lessons, Mustafa started playing “drums” on pots, pans and tables. Cheap clay drums were next, followed later by a trap set in high school.

Mustafa moved to England in his teens, where he became familiar with Latin music and rhythms as well as East European music. He came to Seattle in the early 80’s to attend Seattle University and join a leading Egyptian Orchestra. Mustafa extensively played Persian and Turkish music with various bands in Seattle and Los Angeles before joining Children of the Revolution.


Mustafa also currently teaches middle-eastern percussion in the Seattle area.