The Official Website of Y Misdaq aka Yoshi

My name is Yusuf Misdaq, also known as Yoshi. I am a multimedia performance artist in his mid-20's. I make music, write and make films. I operate primarily out of Brighton, (where I was born and raised) London (where my studio is currently based) and Washington D.C. in the USA where I spend 3-6 months each year.

Since 2004 I've released 2 solo albums, made 3 documentary films and published my 1st novel. My music has been reviewed in international music magazines such as The WIRE, Hip-Hop Connection, Stylus and many others. Poetry of mine, articles and features on/by me have appeared in Emel, Naked Punch, Illume and others. This year I was also featured on television (BBC South-East Today) and radio (BBC Southern Counties) - both were to publicise my new book. My first documentary film was selected for a special screening at the 2005 Brighton film-festival. I've performed music and poetry in venues like the ICC in Birmingham, RADA in London, Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and countless other random venues, bars and clubs (many of which were grimey and smelly).

Presently I am putting the final touches on my upcoming 3rd solo album (which will also include a DVD documentary I directed). I'm also trying as ever to get my newly published novel into the hands of as many people as possible. As well as this I'm working on collaborative projects, most notably a photographic/poetry exhibit with a German photographer, and an album of other-worldly experimental hip-hop with an Illinois-based producer. My next documentary projet (which is one-third complete) is a series of films about Afghan-Americans.

LAST GIG: Speech given on Diversity and Art. Hangleton Junior School, Hove, Monday 28th January.

LAST GIG: Performing music from my upcoming 3rd album and speaking.
SOAS University (Khalili Lecture Theatre) London, Friday 29th February 2008, 5-9 PM.

LAST GIG: Giving 3 Creative Writing classes and workshops to Undergraduate Students at The University of Brighton. April 2008.

NEXT GIG: Concert for the Ocean - Yoshi & Friends. A concert of Yoshi's music live on Brighton Beach, with acoustic instruments interpreting some of Yoshi's hip-hop tracks from 'Flowers & Trees' & some of his new world-folk material. The performance is Yoshi's goodbye to Brighton and the concert is being given for the water as opposed to the audience. Guests include Rahma Ali, David (from Scribe Tribe) and various other musicians including a n Iranian Tonbak drummer, a Kurdish Daf drummer, Harmonium, Guimbri Guitar (Yoshi) and so on... Sunday 13th April, 15:00, Brighton Beach, on the pebbels by the old West Pier.

Speaking events - For all age-groups (from little bambinos to school-kids to Universities) focusing on the subjects of Art & Creativity as a career-option, the 'DIY mentality' and also the benefits of working in a Multi-Cultural Society.

Live performances - Ranging from Hip-Hop & Electronica, Acoustic Guitar and Piano sets, to Spoken-Word readings of Poetry, Short Stories and Novel excerpts etc. I also do professional Voice-Over work.

Filming aside from my own documentaries I can be hired as a cameraman on a freelance basis for all sorts of community/private events, i.e. Weddings, Performances, Circumcisions ;) etc. As an additional service I can also Edit and put together a final film and finished product on DVD.

Workshops / 1-to-1's on fiction-writing, film-editing and digital music-making.

Producing music for solo artists / recording demos at my studio

Check the other sections above to see what I've done in more detail, or find out more about me through the links, articles and essays below.