Moez Masoud is Here to Stay

Moez Masoud is a shapeshifter who uses his words to share a powerful message in many forms. Music, film, lectures and important studies are at the forefront of his world and goals. His new single, Here to stay is a mission statement on standing up for what is right, something Masoud is passionate to defend. We spoke with the musician, scholar, filmmaker and overall luminary about his work, lifelong mission and more. Just like his newest single, it’s clear that Massoud is Here to Stay.  

Your new single, Here to Stay is more than just a song, but a mission statement. Its message is very powerful. We don’t think we can do it justice, so I’ll let you explain it here in your own words. 

To me, Here to Stay is about standing firm in the face of oppression. It’s about truth that refuses to be erased, no matter how much they try to bury it. I wrote it because I was furious—furious at the disproportionate loss of innocent lives, at the silence of those who should have spoken up but didn’t.  

It’s a refusal to look away, a refusal to let history be rewritten. When people are being silenced, you raise your voice louder.  

How did the song come to be? And what has the response been like so far? 

The song came to be in a way because it had to. It wasn’t calculated. It was a visceral reaction to what I was witnessing, an instinctive response to injustice. The words and melody actually came together almost at once, which rarely happens for me.  

I recorded the demo with my dear friend Shady Ahmed, and we both knew that Sherif Mostafa from Cairokee was the right producer for it. Sherif has this rare ability to tap into the soul of a song—to hear what it needs before you even say it. He nailed it on the first iteration. We hit the studio, laid down a couple of takes, and that was it.  

The response has been powerful. People hear the urgency in it, they feel the weight of what’s being said. It’s resonating with those who have been waiting for someone to say what needed to be said. And of course, it’s making some people uncomfortable—which means it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.  

Your work as a musician, film producer and activist shows firshand how there is power in art; and how you can use your talent to create change. What motivates you to continue creating work with such powerful social and cultural messages?

Because silence is complicity. Because art has the power to break through where politics and diplomacy fail.  

I don’t create just to create—I create because there’s something that needs to be said. Music, film, philosophy—these are all different ways of cutting through the noise, of reaching people in ways that facts alone can’t. If you have a voice, you use it. If you have a platform, you stand on it. And if you have something real to say, you say it—loudly.  

What do you hope to instill through your work, whether that’s music, film or keynote speeches? How powerful is storytelling? 

Storytelling is everything. It’s how we make sense of the world, how we remember, how we resist.  

I hope my work reminds people that truth exists—even in an age where everything feels distorted. That some things are worth standing for, no matter the cost. Whether it’s through a song, a film, or a speech, the goal is the same—to wake up, to start feeling again, thinking again. Because once that happens, action isn’t far behind.  

You’re currently completing your Ph.D in the Philosophy of Science. Can you tell us how science relates to your current work? And how can the study of science be applied in our everyday world to combat current situations? How do you hope to incorporate this into your work? 

Science and philosophy aren’t just abstract disciplines—they shape how we understand reality.  

The way we talk about justice, oppression, and truth—it all ties back to deeper questions about reality, knowledge and ethics. To me, whether I’m making music, a documentary, or giving a talk, it’s always about searching for clarity, cutting through illusions, and getting to the core of things.  

What do you hope listeners and viewers take from your work? What is the one message you hope to share?

That truth matters. That silence is a choice. That no matter how much some people try to erase, rewrite, or distort, reality doesn’t bend to their will.  

I want people to leave my work feeling something—passion, hope, urgency—just something real. Because once you feel, you act.  

You’ve obviously traveled the world over. Do you have a favorite place you’ve visited? 

I love traveling, because literally every place on earth teaches you something. But the places that stay with you aren’t just about geography—they’re about moments, moments of clarity.  

There are so many places! There’s Cambridge, where I spent years immersed in thought. There’s Los Angeles, where creative energy is endless. There’s Kuala Lumpur, a city that pulses with cultural depth, where tradition and modernity uniquely collide. And then there’s Tarim, in Yemen, where I studied traditional sciences and Sufism—a place where spirituality and knowledge intertwine in a way that leaves a mark on your soul. And, of course, there’s no place like home–Cairo!

You’re clearly a shapeshifter and cultural influence. What other shapeshifters have inspired your own work and path in life? 

The ones who refuse to be defined by one thing. The ones who don’t fit into neat little boxes.  

Artists like Roger Waters and Eddie Vedder, who use their platforms fearlessly. Thinkers like Al Ghazali and Rene Guenon, who challenge everything. Filmmakers like Scorsese, who turn reality into something unforgettable. They all refused to play by the rules. And that’s the only way to create something that lasts.