Yash Musabji shows the shine and the grind as he works to elevate Rockford’s film and music scene
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Yash Musabji’s debut short film “Prelude to L1F3” reveals his vulnerable side as it takes viewers through the inner workings of mental turmoil after heartbreak.
The credits reveal his work ethic.
There you see the 26-year-old musician and filmmaker’s hands on nearly every part of the project: from writing and directing to composing the music, operating cameras, directing photography, editing, creating visual effects and even working as a grip and preparing craft services.
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Friends and colleagues say it’s emblematic of the roll-up-your-own-sleeves approach Musabji has taken to his budding career. He says the work he puts in should show Rockfordians that your goals may be difficult, but they’re achievable if you’re willing to put in the time.
When he wanted a visual component to his album, he spent five years creating the music video and movie. When it was time to open his own recording and podcast studio, he hand-built the space along with his sister, Muskan, doing everything from drywall and sanding to glass installation.
“It’s extremely motivating to see the sweat equity he puts into his work,” said Neil Bloom, the owner of Future Memory Media and a friend of Musabji. “He puts in more sweat than anyone else.”
The short film was made with a cast of roughly 40 actors and shot in Rockford, Wisconsin and Las Vegas over the course of five years. It debuted at a red carpet event at the Nordlof Center last year. Now, it’s been picked up for streaming on the America Nu Network, the media platform run by entrepreneur and record executive Dame Dash, who co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with music mogul Jay-Z.
It’s also up for one of this year’s Rockford Area Arts Awards for Production of the Year. Musabji is nominated along with Leslie Crow of Nicholas Conservatory, “Jumping to Delusions” at Artists’ Ensemble, Nielsen Chorale, Rockford Dance Co.’s “Sleeping Beauty” and the Soar Awards. The Arts Awards show happens Friday at Rockford Woman’s Club.
“I think it’s definitely ahead of its time,” Bloom said of “Prelude to L1F3.” “He took his music and he gave it more life and more story. I think other artists will start to follow suit as they find a new platform. I think everything is so short form nowadays that people will be wanting something a little more longform like this to give the music another level.”
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Musabji, who was born in a small village in western India, came to the U.S. with his mother when he was 2 and has been in the Belvidere area since 2005. The Belvidere High School and Rock Valley College alum viewed his short film as an introduction of sorts to his creative side.
“This is my hello, world,” he said. “Hello, I am Yash Musabji: I’m an artist, I’m a rapper, I’m a producer, executive director, actor, a writer — I’m Kanye West without the crazy.”
Musabji is also the youngest sitting board member of the Rockford Area Arts Council and runs his own film and recording studio, Icon Studios, which he opened earlier this year inside Test Site, 213 N. Third St. And he has helped youth at Comprehensive Community Solutions in Rockford learn the craft while fitting in time for his own future projects, such as the follow-up to Prelude called “L1F3: Chapter 1.”
“I really am a workaholic,” he said. “I just love what I do so much it doesn’t feel like work.”
His work with film and video production through Icon Studios has taken him across the country, but he said it’s Rockford where he’s focused on helping the industry thrive.
“I don’t know what it is and what my infatuation is with trying to grow this city and make it better,” he said. “I want to provide more of the film industry here. … We have amazing vidoegraphers. We have amazing talent here that is unseen or not highlighted.”
Musabji’s podcast, The Creative Struggle, and his behind-the-scenes videos about the making of “Prelude to L1F3” are meant to show the difficulties during the creative process that are often unseen.
“There’s a beauty behind that struggle and I want to highlight that because people usually only see the shine and not the grind,” he said.
It also makes his work relatable, and can serve as inspiration to other filmmakers and artists.
“What I do, a lot of other people can do if they put in the right amount of hours and dedication,” Musabji said. “The Creative Struggle is supposed to highlight how difficult everything is but how achievable it is.”
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He’s helping encourage the next generation of filmmakers through his work with youth at Comprehensive Community Solutions, a nonprofit that helps young people better their lives through workforce development and education. Some of the young men and women helped with his red-carpet event. He worked with others on documentary-style videos that showcase CCS programs. He worked with the group on everything from brainstorming scripts to acting, shooting and editing.
“He is so charismatic and humble and willing to inspire and help others become their best self,” said Claudia Consuelos, director of workforce development at CCS. “The youth recognize real, and that’s exactly what he’s able to give them.”
She said some of the young men and women who got to attend the red-carpet premiere still talk about the experience, and the film itself showcased some of the overlooked beauty of our community. Some of the local locations in the film include Rock Valley College, downtown Belvidere, Rockford City Market, Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin, Lino’s, the Boone County Fairgrounds and Sinnissippi Park.
“Not only did he record in multiple places, I think watching the album but also knowing that’s a part of where we grew up is very impactful,” she said. “It gives it a different lens and it really pays homage to the beautiful places around Rockford.”
He’ll next be working with the group on an anti-violence video project.
The roughly 40-minute “Prelude to L1F3” is a tragedy about a protagonist who is rushed to the hospital after a crash and begins to relive moments of his chaotic past while on the operating table. Musabji said he drew from past relationships to tell the story of the heartbreak and pain shown in the short film.
“Guys also go through heartbreak and pain and they lose people,” he said. “This story was to essentially let other guys know that you’re not alone: A lot of other people go through the same things that you guys do.”
Musabji is planning on a follow-up to the film, and he said his goal is to make Rockford a destination for creative work.
Bloom, of Future Memory Media, counts Musabji among a handful of local videographers who are helping grow the industry here.
“He always has a vision for what can be the biggest thing he can do,” Bloom said. “And, well, that’s what he wants to do.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
