Zulu vocalist Anaiah Rasheed Muhammad has publicly responded following allegations made by an individual claiming to have been his former partner and roommate, who accused him of physical abuse and grooming. The accusations present a disturbing pattern of alleged abusive behavior, which not only targets the accuser but also extends to other individuals in his life, including fellow musicians and members of his mosque. These detailed claims were shared by a person identifying herself as Simpson.

In the wake of these serious allegations, former Zulu drummer Dan Brown has also commented on the situation, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative.

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Detailed Allegations Against Anaiah Rasheed Muhammad by Simpson

CONTENT WARNING: The following accounts include descriptions of violent physical and mental actions that may be disturbing to some readers.

In a lengthy and impactful post, Simpson outlined various allegations, including acts of kicking, choking, punching, gaslighting, and verbal harassment. For a full account of her experiences, please refer to her post shared on Instagram.

Simpson’s statement, which she made public, highlights her motivations for coming forward: “I am choosing to make my own experiences and this information publicly known now for the sake of my mental and emotional health, to liberate myself from the pain and burden of suffering in silence, to warn others, and hopefully to enact some kind of change surrounding this man.”

“Everything detailed here is from my experience except for where otherwise noted, revealed to me by trusted sources who have been victims of this man, witnesses to his abuse, or both. I know these accounts to be verifiably true and I do not intend to speak for or over anyone else, and their identities will continue to remain private at this time. I echo sentiments regarding justice and accountability from a friend whose healing journey has been incredibly helpful in identifying and processing my own experiences.”

“Since moving in with Anaiah a year ago, the nature of our relationship rapidly transformed into a violent one. What began as playful interactions quickly escalated to abusive encounters, including punching and kicking under the guise of ‘rough housing’ that left my body battered and bruised. This set the stage for continued grooming to test my tolerance. In April of last year, a seemingly consensual encounter left me traumatized, and I was gaslit into believing I was simply on my period until a healthcare provider examined me after a later incident where he choked me hard enough to leave a substantial bruise on my neck, extending down to my collarbone. It was only after revealing this bruise to someone else that I realized I needed to seek help.”

“I reached out to friends for advice on how to navigate the situation, questioning whether it was abnormal or concerning, as I spent time in denial about how precarious my circumstances truly were. I adapted to everything he wanted, mingling with his friends and accommodating his preferences, leaving me feeling isolated and controlled.”

“Recognizing something was profoundly wrong, I began to share my experiences with others, hoping to find someone who had been harmed by Anaiah. This search uncovered an extensive and horrifying pattern of abuse, of which I was the latest victim. Some of this abuse took place in the same living space we shared, affecting other victims, including fellow musicians and sisters from the mosque.”

“Anaiah crafted an image of himself as charismatic, friendly, and principled, making him appear trustworthy from an outsider’s perspective. However, the women and femmes he pursued and coerced into sexual situations experienced a drastically different reality. Their feelings post-encounter ranged from blindsided and uncomfortable to confused and violated, leaving them mentally unstable. His demeanor would shift dramatically if he did not get what he wanted; he would punch holes in the walls, drive recklessly with me as a passenger, and even threatened to harm himself or others.”

“After a few weeks, while discussing my situation with a friend who had come to visit, Anaiah recorded part of our conversation through the walls and used that recording to justify the harm he inflicted on me. He sent it to the person I was discussing, who he had previously warned would hurt me. She arrived with her family and kicked down my bedroom door while I was naked and on the phone, demanding I fight her while they recorded everything. This chaotic scene only ended when neighbors called the police, resulting in a large police presence at our residence.”

“After this traumatic incident, we all moved out that month, which also displaced our other Black female roommate who had supported me and stood up to Anaiah. Later that same day, his bandmate reached out, feigning concern while actually recording our conversation, asking about our relationships with Anaiah and sending that information to others, likely as a means of creating an alibi. We told him to leave us alone and blocked him, only to face a barrage of slanderous comments from Anaiah, who claimed we were trying to destroy his hard work. This narrative trivialized the serious abuse and misconduct we had endured, painting us as jilted lovers rather than victims of a deeply troubling situation.”

“The harassment I faced persisted for months, with individuals associated with Anaiah approaching me to inquire if I was ‘still okay’ with them. I received relentless harassment via social media and phone calls, even after the fires this year, when someone from the mosque who helped Anaiah move out identified himself and used racial slurs against me. Anaiah has isolated himself from anyone addressing these issues, and my friend, who supported me, was fired from his band without notice, being told he made Anaiah feel uncomfortable.”

“Following the assault in my bedroom, I sought mediation, although I struggled to be in the same space as him. The mediator informed me that Anaiah claimed he would take self-accountability, which was false. He asked if I would stop discussing the matter, which was never mediated. Anaiah has employed various isolation tactics to silence me until now, trying to maintain his image while painting himself as the victim. I want to assert that Anaiah is not safe. He espouses revolutionary and community-oriented language while failing to embody these values, demonstrating significant manipulation skills. His refusal to acknowledge the harm he has caused and to apologize or explain his actions renders him extremely toxic and dangerous, particularly to Black women. Given his pro-Black and anti-establishment platform, this community deserves true restorative justice.”

“After changing my address and phone number and avoiding spaces frequented by him, I now feel secure enough to share my story. However, this only scratches the surface of my experiences with grooming, manipulation, and coercion over the past two years. I still feel unsafe in certain areas of LA, particularly in religious settings, fearing encounters with him or those who enable his behavior. The emotional toll of escaping this situation has been debilitating, affecting my daily life profoundly.”

“I publicly ask for your support: please refrain from collaborating with Anaiah or any of his projects until he takes accountability for his actions. I urge you not to engage in victim-blaming. Anaiah will attempt to deflect blame and portray himself as a victim, so it is crucial to focus on the impact of his actions and the ripple effects of harm he has caused through coercion, sexual assault, invasion of privacy, gaslighting, harassment, and manipulation.”

“The emotional labor involved in recounting and sharing this sensitive information cannot be overstated, especially given the retaliation and harassment I have faced from Anaiah and his associates for attempting to speak out. This process is frightening, as I have no idea how they may react next.”

“I seek your love, support, and understanding during this challenging time. I want to express my gratitude to friends and loved ones, both near and far, who have provided me with space, support, food, and care during my healing process, which may take years. Their encouragement has been invaluable as I navigate this traumatic period.”

“I remain open to conversations with other victims who have spoken out or those who may choose to come forward after reading this. You do not have to endure isolation or silence any longer; together, we can create and maintain safe spaces while holding each other accountable.”

Simpson has also shared Instagram stories from other women who claim to have experienced similar violence and abuse at the hands of Zulu’s Muhammad.

If you or someone you know is dealing with abuse, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website. A disclaimer on the site notes that if there are concerns about monitored Internet usage, an alternative option is to call 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233).

Anaiah Rasheed Muhammad’s Official Response to the Allegations

The vocalist of Zulu has formally responded to the allegations leveled against him.

His response, also shared via Instagram, articulates the following:

“I want to address the false and deeply troubling accusations that have been made against me. Please forgive me if my words aren’t perfect; I am doing my best to navigate this situation. I intended to share this immediately but did not want to convey a lackluster message.”

“To begin with, I categorically deny ever engaging in any form of physical abuse. Violence against anyone, especially partners, goes completely against my values, and I would never harm anyone.”

“As a person and a Muslim, my faith and moral values guide my actions daily. Islam teaches respect, integrity, and accountability, and I strive to uphold these principles in my life. I condemn any form of physical or sexual assault and would never engage in such atrocities. The claims against me are not only false but also deeply damaging to me, my loved ones, my band, and those who have supported me throughout my life.”

“Moreover, I want to be absolutely clear that I have never engaged in coercion, manipulation, or isolation of this individual. At no point have I tried to control her environment, interfere with her personal life, or restrict her in any way. I have never encouraged or allowed anyone—friends, acquaintances, or otherwise—to harass, intimidate, or gang-stalk her. Any suggestion that I have done so is entirely false and contradicts the values I uphold.”

“Following our falling out (for context, we were not in a romantic relationship, and I was upfront about this, maintaining open communication), I made every effort to distance myself from this individual out of respect and to avoid further conflict. Despite the false accusations, I have remained committed to resolving matters in a mature and dignified manner. I even attempted mediation through an imam, offering a chance for a respectful and neutral conversation to resolve our communication discrepancies. However, she was not willing to meet, and I respected her decision without further pursuing it.”

“I am fully prepared to defend myself against these claims and will cooperate with any necessary process to clear my name.”

“I trust that the truth will ultimately be revealed, and I deeply appreciate those who continue to support me during this challenging time.”

Former Zulu Drummer Don Brown’s Support for Simpson

Following Simpson’s initial post, former Zulu drummer Don Brown, who played with the band from 2023-2024, shared his thoughts through his Instagram stories.

In a post that has since expired, Brown remarked, “For everyone who asked me if I still play for Zulu, this is why I don’t. Happy International Women’s Month (year, every year).” His post also featured the beginning of Simpson’s Instagram statement.

Brown subsequently posted another Instagram Story, further clarifying his stance.

“Thank you all for reaching out yesterday. I appreciate everyone checking in, but I wasn’t the one directly affected; my friend was and still is. I want the focus to remain on supporting my friend who was harmed and ensuring she receives the love, support, justice, and healing she deserves.”

“I don’t enable behavior like this. I was raised by strong women and continue to surround myself with them. What I did is not admirable; it’s the bare minimum. I’m just calling out the unacceptable behavior, and I hope everyone continues to hold people accountable, even beyond this moment.”

Brown concluded, “Shoutout to @whoissimpson for being brave enough to share. [Hand heart emoji] you big dawg.”