Ashley Anthony Chin (born 21 August 1982), also known by his stage name Muslim Belal, is an English actor, screenwriter, spoken word poet and rapper of Jamaican descent.
He began his acting career in the 1999 BBC film Storm Damage and his music career in 2005. He has acted in a number of stage productions including Gone Too Far! (2007). Chin came to prominence as a supporting role in the films Sket (2011) and Anuvahood (2011). He is perhaps best known for his role as Tyson in the film Victim (2011) and Michael in the award-winning short film The Boxer. Chin also played the role of the antagonist, G-Money, in The Intent (2016), and reprised his role in the prequel The Intent 2: The Come Up (2018). He played the role of Isaac in the short film series The Essence (2019). Chin has also released a book titled Faith in October 2019 and states that the book is based on his journey from the streets to Islam. A film based on the book is set to be released in 2022 and Chin is set to write and direct the film.
With music and poetry, Chin performs under his alias "Muslim Belal" and released his debut studio album, Pray Hard in 2009. He released his second album The Transition in 2010. His third studio album My Sumaya was released in 2015. Chin's poetry combines spiritualism with social issues and his own personal history. He also works as a life coach and delivers workshops and talks at youth clubs, universities and events.
Early life and education
Chin was born in Gypsy Hill, London, England. His parents are from Jamaica, he was named after his paternal grandfather who was Chinese. He grew up with his mother, Andrea Ellis, and elder sister, Kareena Chin, in a South London council estate. He was brought up as a Christian, however spent his youth being involved in gang culture.
Chin achieved an A grade in GCSE drama and left school at the age of 15. In 1999, Chin and his family moved to Thornton Heath, Croydon.
Chin had a talent for poetry, which he started developing from the age of 12. In 2001, he and a friend set up a music studio, for a band, where Chin used to play keyboards and different sound boards. The former street gang and musical collective was called SMS 'South Man Syndicate' (later known as South Muslim Soldiers), and he was known at the time as Smalls.
Career
1999–2006: Beginnings
In 1999, Chin began his acting career in the BBC film Storm Damage directed by Lennie James. He then made his theatre debut as the role of Young Mal in Roy Williams' Lift Off at the Royal Court Theatre. Chin converted to Islam in 2002, during this time he stepped away from his career to focus on his faith. Since his conversion to Islam, Chin has adopted the name Muslim Belal. In December 2005, under this stage name, he performed at the inaugural Global Peace and Unity Event in the ExCeL Exhibition Centre organised by Islam Channel.
2007–2009: Return to Acting and Pray Hard
Chin returned to acting in 2007, where he played Razer in Bola Agbaje's Laurence Olivier award-winning play Gone Too Far!. Laurence Olivier was impressed with Chin's performance that he made him reprise his role in 2008. He also played the role of Carl Wilkins in Roy Williams' There's Only One Wayne Matthews at the Polka Theatre. In August 2007, he played the role of Seales in BBC Radio 4's radio adaptation of E. R. Braithwaite's novel To Sir, With Love. Chin also starred in a supporting role in the television seriesThe Bill in 2007. He also had supporting roles inHolbyBlue, The Fixer, and Law & Order: UK during this time
In July 2008, Chin performed at the Islam Expo in Olympia, London. In February and March 2009, he toured with other Nasheed artists, including Mecca2Medina and Poetic Pilgrimage on the "I am Malcolm X Tour". In 2009, he released From the Streets to Islam, a CD in which he is being interviewed and responds to the questions by rapping. This was a preview to launching his first album. In the same month, a collaborative charity single "Feed the World, Feed the Fasting" was released by Muslim Aid. The song featured Chin along with artists Rizwan Hussain, Abdullah Rolle, Khaleel Muhammad, Labbayk and Mecca2Medina. In October and November 2009, he supported Shaam on their UK tour. Ashley Chin released his debut studio album Pray Hard on 15 August 2009 by Halal Dawa Records under his alias Muslim Belal. Chin's poetry combines spiritualism with social issues and his own personal history. The album features themes of repentance, his conversion to Islam, giving advice, praising Allah, preparations for the hereafter and supplicating to Allah.