MUMU FRESH

In 2018, Maimouna Youssef became the songwriter and voice of Ford Motor Company’s “Roll On” campaign celebrating Women of Color, and was awarded the prestigious post of “Musical Ambassador for The United States,” travelling to Central America to support the rights of young women. Maimouna’s Afro-Native roots and rich activist history have spawned collaborations with philanthropic leaders including W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IMAN, Congressional Black Caucus, and Global Citizens Festival. She’s shared her story of Afro-Native artistic and philanthropic excellence while making appearances on MSNBC, FOX 45, NPR, CNN, Sway In The Morning and global network, Al Jazeera.

In 2019, Mumu performed at the BET Black Girls Rock! Awards and received a standing ovation for her soul-stirring performance of her song “Say My Name” honoring Sandra Bland and the Mothers of the Movement (M.O.M), which is a group of women whose African American Children have been killed by police brutality or gun violence. Later that year, she delivered a soulfully nostalgic tribute to hip hop supergroup and cultural pioneers Arrested Development with gospel artists  Mali Music, Travis Greene and rapper Dee-1 that aired on Black Music Honors. 

As a songwriter, she’s co-written songs with and for artists like Grammy and Oscar winner Common, Glenn Lewis, The Roots, Disney’s Vanessa Hudgins, hip Hop Duo, Dead Prez, Indigenous rapper and dancer Supaman, and Oddisee among others.

As a performer, Maimouna has shared the stage with countless icons and legends in the making including The Roots, Dave Chappelle, Sting, Bobby McFerrin, Lala Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Rapsody, Burna Boy, BJ The Chicago Kid, Common, Mali Music, Lauryn Hill, Ed Sheeran, Billy Ray Cyrus, D’Angelo, Femi Kuti, Aloe Blacc, Zap Mama, Bruno Mars, and Nas.

In 2018, Maimouna received international acclaim for featured performances on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series as a solo artist as well as alongside Common, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins, Black Thought and DJ Dummy. NPR calls her “an abundantly gifted singer and emcee” with “multi-octave range and ferocious rap delivery.”

Her stage show has been called a “unique”, “spiritual” and “life-changing” experience, captivating audiences at world-famous venues around the globe such as Lincoln Center, Harlem Stage, NYC Summer Stage, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Montreaux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Sundance Film Festival, Jazz Café (London), Red Rocks Amphitheater (Denver), Central Park SummerStage (New York), Rueben Dario National Theater (Nicaragua), The Recording Academy’s “Grammy Festival At Sea,” and New Africa Shrine (Lagos, Nigeria), and opening Artist for Common’s national “Let Love” Tour.

With three solo independent projects to her credit “The Blooming” (2011), “The Reintroduction of Mumu Fresh” mixtape (2014) and the “Vintage Babies” with DJ Dummy(2017) — and film credits including Queen Sugar,Being Mary Jane, Girls’ Trip and Dave Chappelle’s Block Party— Mumu Fresh is building a growing international online fan base of over 180k loyal fans and two new EPs on the way. Mumu Fresh has been busy collaborating with GRAMMY-Award winning producer DJ Jazzy Jeff’s PLAYList session creatives and most recently she released a viral single and video with award-winning producer Salaam Remi entitled, “EmOgs”.

Behind the scenes, Youssef serves as a Governor for the DC chapter of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Board as well as a mentor for several Grammy U affiliated young aspiring artists. She has received recognition from several local non-profit organizations such as One Common Unity, Bmore News, & Womb Work Productions as well as international awards from Mayor Luis Fernando Castellanos Cal of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico for her outstanding service and commitment to the youth worldwide. 

Maimouna’s work continues to establish her as a true Global Citizen, a musical healer, teacher, powerhouse performer, and community pillar.