It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ibraheem Basir, a cherished resident of Minnesota and visionary founder of the A Dozen Cousins food brand whose creative spirit and commitment to cultural authenticity touched countless lives across the country.
The talented entrepreneur and community advocate left this world on March 4, 2026 just a week before his 40th birthday creating a profound void in his family the artistic and business worlds and the wider community that admired his work. His sudden departure has united friends collaborators and admirers in grief while celebrating the meaningful platform he built to honor heritage through wholesome accessible meals.
As a rapper poet and performer Ibraheem Basir was renowned for his skill with words crafting bars and stanzas that left lasting impressions on listeners through the Excelano Project where he served as a cherished member and helped shape spoken word and creative expression in Minnesota.
His artistic voice blended personal stories cultural pride and social insight delivering performances that inspired audiences and nurtured fellow creators in the Twin Cities scene. This deep connection to poetry and performance infused everything he touched including his later entrepreneurial journey with authenticity and purpose.
As founder of A Dozen Cousins Ibraheem helped create a platform that merged artistry with community engagement by launching a line of soulfully seasoned beans and rice inspired by the Creole Caribbean and Latin American flavors he grew up with in Brooklyn. The name itself honored his large extended family including his daughter as the twelfth cousin and the brand quickly grew to national distribution in stores like Trader Joe’s Whole Foods and Sprouts.
His commitment to elevating others through music culture and now food made him a respected figure who turned personal heritage into products that celebrated Black and Latino traditions while promoting healthier convenient options for busy families.
Ibraheem’s dedication extended to initiatives like Project Potluck which supported BIPOC entrepreneurs and fostered inclusive growth in the food industry reflecting his belief that business should uplift communities and preserve cultural recipes with wholesome ingredients. He moved to Los Angeles during the pandemic to expand the company yet maintained strong ties to Minnesota where his artistic roots first flourished and where he continued inspiring young creators and business owners.
Beyond professional achievements Ibraheem was a loving father who raised two beautiful children while building his brand from the ground up demonstrating the same resilience and warmth that defined his poetry and performances. He reconnected deeply with family during challenging times and took pride in seeing his products on shelves across the nation a tangible reminder of the meals and memories that shaped him.
The platform he established with A Dozen Cousins and the creative energy he shared through the Excelano Project will continue to nurture future generations of artists, entrepreneurs, and families who find connection in his work, even if his life ended much too soon. Loved ones and fans today pay tribute to this extraordinary guy whose words, goods, and generosity created a stunning tapestry of love and cultural resiliency that will last for many years to come.
