The biggest problem in South Africa is that we have a disrupted timeline. Historically, politically, spiritually, economically, in people's minds, in people's heads.

Ibrahim is considered the leading figure in the sub-genre Cape jazz. Ibrahim's song "African Marketplace" has achieved such widespread popularity that the Swedish Communist Party always plays it at demonstrations and meetings. Within jazz his music particularly reflects the influence of Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington.

Ibrahim is considered the leading figure in the sub-genre Cape jazz. With his wife the jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin he is father to the New York underground rapper Jean Grae as well as to a son Tsakwe.