cloud collecting #22: Qur'an Shaheed
on embracing collaboration and solitude, trusting instincts + wandering without expectation
For the second interview of the year, I’m thrilled to have Qur’an Shaheed sharing some of her creative story with us. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Qur’an perform in LA several times, and I hope this interview brings new eyes, ears, and hearts to her incredible work.
Also, Qur’an’s family recently lost their home to the devastating LA fires and have a GoFundMe to help rebuild. I want to share the link here — any support, no matter how big or small, makes a difference during this difficult time. Thank you!
And, if you’re local to LA, Qur’an has a daytime event with the Living Earth community in Arlington Garden on Sunday, February 9th. The event will blend yoga and sound, offering a soothing balm for stressed and unsettled nerves.
Qur'an Shaheed is an experimental pianist, poet, singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. Trained extensively in jazz, classical and contemporary music, her sound is innovative and personal, incorporating elements of improvisation as well as neo-classical and neo-soul techniques. Shaheed also composes film scores, focusing on projects that reflect on society, history and unifying acts. Her album Process with producer Jesse Justice was released in 2020 on Preference Records.
1. How has LA and your creative community here shaped your work and view of creativity?
LA has always been home, but creatively, it’s been this space of constant evolution. Growing up in Pasadena and now being based in Inglewood, I’ve been surrounded by such a rich mix of artists, musicians, and thinkers. The city itself feels like an open-ended experiment—there’s always something shifting, something new to be inspired by. My community has pushed me to lean into improvisation, to trust my instincts, and to embrace both collaboration and solitude. Whether it’s performing with the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, playing keys for The Voices of Creation, or working with different filmmakers and producers, I’ve learned that creativity isn’t just about what I make—it’s about how I engage with the world around me.
2. Where did your love of music, voice, and piano begin? And when did you start identifying as a creative?
Music has always been a part of me. I started playing piano when I was four, learning from my mom, Sharon Shaheed, and my grandmother, Monique Simpson. Their guidance gave me a deep foundation in jazz, classical, and contemporary music, but my sound really started forming when I gave myself space to explore. I think I fully stepped into my creativity when I started writing songs in 2012—it was this turning point where I moved beyond just playing and started shaping my own voice.
Vocally, I was more hesitant at first. I didn’t grow up thinking of myself as a singer, but over time, I realized my voice was just as much an instrument as the piano. Now, my music blends everything I’ve absorbed—jazz, neo-classical, neo-soul, improvisation—into something personal and constantly evolving.
3. How do you cloud collect (connect to childlike wonder) in your creativity?
For me, it’s all about instinct and curiosity. Improvisation has always been a big part of how I create—I like approaching music as if I’m discovering something in real time. Playing with movement, whether it’s through dance, pole, or even running, also keeps me connected to that childlike wonder. It’s in the way I collect small moments—textures, sounds, a phrase someone says in passing—and let them live in my subconscious until they naturally resurface in my work. I think the most honest creativity comes from allowing yourself to wander without expectation, and that’s something I try to tap into every time I sit at the piano or start a new project.
The best online place to find Qur’an is her Instagram, find that here.