“Kiwi” Cover Art

Let’s frame the scenario: you’re a 19 year-old aspiring musician who’s been writing music since middle school. You’re finally reaching a point in life where you’re confident enough in your own abilities to start releasing and distributing your own tunes. Except, the landscape of the entire music industry and performance is in total flux at the moment, undergoing evolutionary changes day-by-day. 

That’s the situation Wisam Ahmed finds himself in as he readies the release of “Kiwi.” The 19 year-old singer-songwriter from Framingham has been making music since he was in 7th grade, developing his talent, tweaking his style, and pushing himself to follow what has been his passion for what amounts to nearly half of his life at this point. “I wrote the song at a time where I was really uncertain of my general place and direction in life. it’s a reminder for myself that if I just keep doing what I’m doing, everything should work out fine. It’s basically me telling myself to calm the fuck down and have some kiwi.”

Wisam Ahmed

There’s something zen about that: the pacifying nature of soaking in the sweet nectar of a delicious fruit on a sweaty summer’s day and just embracing the uncertainty of life. “Kiwi” kicks off with Ahmed setting that very scene. “I really gotta shave my head, hands keep getting caught up in knots.” He goes on to describe being able to taste his own sweat, a sensory experience that elicits visceral caution and fear for the future. It’s that summer heat that frazzles our minds beyond belief; sometimes it’s legitimately harder to string together thoughts on these dog day afternoons. 

“Kiwi” explores insecurity and disorientation while offering a valuable lesson. The titular fruit almost acts as a totem for the singer; he keeps returning to it to find a center in the middle of uncertainty, falling back on the refrain of “tak[ing] it one day at a time.” 

Ahmed, an Indian Muslim and current Boston University student who spent his youth all around the world – in Newton, Framingham, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Texas, Florida – has crafted a chill summer jam: a simple acoustic guitar line, catchy melodic vocals, plus a trap beat that keeps the song pulsing forward. And the simple approach works. “Kiwi” works wonders as a reminder to take a break, spare some space for yourself, and enjoy the ease of life’s simple pleasures. Cut some kiwi and kick up your feet. 

Stream “Kiwi” via Spotify below or here via your streaming service of choice, and keep an eye out for the EP Wisam Ahmed is working on that reflects upon his freshmen year at B.U.