Tasneem is a bilingual (English & French) Canadian- American Multi Disciplinary Artist with roots in East Africa. Their focus is on writing, filmmaking, music & acting with an emphasis on disability justice and clean air advocacy. A multi cultural upbringing has shaped her artistic practice. They came of age in Oklahoma growing up on Whitney Houston, Peter Gabriel, Afropop Worldwide, and Sade. Tasneem’s career began fronting the rock band JUNGLI performing at Carnegie Hall & singing back-up and playing guitar for Kelis on Saturday Night Live. They have played at the AKF Gala in NYC, Art Basel alongside the late Zaha Hadid & LA’s Grand Performances. Tasneem has shared stages with John Legend, Martha Wainright, Seun Kuti, Baloji & Florence and the Machine. They are part of the CBC Polaris Music Prize Jury and have spent time as music producer mentor at Daniels Launchpad Artscape in Toronto, focusing on women and non binary musicians and producers. They are currently working with the Massey Hall Lullaby Project writing music with young mothers and teaching at Workman Arts in Toronto. You can hear their music in the film India Sweets and Spices streaming on Netflix and Hulu. Their music is streaming now on all platforms.
A graduate of New York University they participated in the CBS Diversity Sketch Showcase as a writer and took part in the OutFest InFusion NBC/Universal emerging filmmakers program. Tasneem’s directorial debut a Musical short “I’m a Muslim” was written and performed with support from Muslim Public Affairs Council. They shot and directed a music video for their single “All Your Cousins”. Their short film September 10th which Tasneem wrote, directed, composed and starred in was supported by Canada Council for the Arts and premiered at Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Festival in Toronto as part of the Local Heroes Shorts Program. Tasneem seeks to create work and tell stories that amplify their unique voice and experience.