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| Rashed Al Nuaimi |
I am always trying to give a voice to artists and I pride myself that I been doing this since 2008. Its simply a liberating feeling for me when I reach out to artists who are not getting enough "exposure" to feature on my blog just as a sign of solidarity and support. Today's guest is Emirati singer Rashed Al Nuaimi whom I first stumbled on via his instagram account and this song:-
I became a fan and I wanted to show support. I salute this brother and wish him nothing but the best. The interview has been done a month ago and I thank him for his time. Have a nice read & show love to him.
Big Hass: What's up brother?
Rashed Al Nuaimi: Thank you for having me brother.
BH : Your passion for singing shows. How did that passion start?
RAN: There's no real way to answer this question..I like it ever since I was a kid, it was just something I always did; but I can definitely tell you when the transition happened between becoming something I'd do in the shower to something that I might make a career of.
It was not until I went to university and i joined my first vocal lesson class and I tapped into the "opera classical" type venue and I had my first recital at the end of the semester. I remember inviting my family to attend and they were all shocked although they knew I sing, but not to this extent..So i guess that course I took in university was the transition..I felt this could be something bigger..
BH: Do you remember the first track you ever heard?
RAN: "Laugh" Can you ever know the first track? but i can probably say the first favorite song was for "Whiteny Housten" who was a big inspiration as a kid, it was weird because I wouldn't find anyone my age listening to it. She was the reason why I would label myself as "Powerhouse" vocalist maybe. My housekeeper who was Ethiopian is the one who introduced me to Whitney Housten.
BH: You just finished/finishing the military service for the UAE. Salute on that. How do you feel and what has this experience meant to you?
RAN: I haven't finished yet; for me I serve my country in various ways, I dont label whatever I do with the army as extremely different, Either I serve it with my music, my day job and with literary just living here. Whatever I do with the military is just adding to that whole journey of giving back an unmeasurable debt that I have to my country for giving me everything. It's something that I pride myself on alongside the other things that I do..My music is also a big part of that "giving back".
BH: Do you believe the UAE has a solid foundation in supporting their Local Artists?
RAN: Step by step. It's not fully formed yet, but its being created as we speak. We are kinda of setting a pedestal for the ones who would come after us. It's hard but its happening and we are creating it.
BH: Tell us about your participation at the Emerging Talent Competition that took place last year? how was that for you?
RAN: That was the biggest crowd I ever performed for. I thought I'd be nervous but surprisingly I was very comfortable. I love watching the reactions of people, I felt everything in its details. I saw facial expressions, I actually felt what the weather was like, how the "dishdasha" was moving in the wind. I also got to meet amazing local artists and interacting with them, getting to know their stories.
BH: Have you released any original material? and would you be interested in working with local/regional producers?
RAN:It's time for me to release original material. I been doing covers for quite sometime and gotten a name for it. I am definitely working on that. YES! of course, I would love to collabo, either I am doing a horrible job at finding them or they are doing an amazing job at hiding (lol) , if you know any, please direct me to them.
** This interview was done about a month ago and ever since Rashed collaborated with Egyptian producer Moseqar in an awesome track/cover - check it out
BH: How important is the support of the family?
RAN: Extremely important. I know a lot of people might not get it, I understand the value of having it. Sometimes you have to work against their wishes but I definitely believe that family's support will create a more stable road and it will also create a stamina that you need.
BH: What can we find on Rashed's MP3 player?
RAN: Mainly its Adele, Sam Smith, Whitney Housten. I also been listening to Mura Masa and John Bellion.
BH: Name few local artists you love listening to?
RAN: I been really digging Rotana Tarabzouni's "Daddy" , "Dancing Shoes" by Mougleta and also the Omani Artist "Ghazi Al Balushi"
BH: Do you believe Radio Play is as important as before?
RAN: I guess it depends where you want to reach with your music, what's your definition of success and how much do you follow "mainstream/commercial" music. I definitely am a radio listener but I also can point out that the radio is not a "definitive" result of success, big part of it is marketing and feeding a commercial need, but i think its an outlet that somehow spreads your music. I would love my message to go through but also it would not affect me negatively if it did not because I believe in my message. Its an important tool, I hope it gets used in the right way to support the right people, to push the right content.. You can not deny that hearing your songs on the radio wont give you butterflies.. that's a fact :)
BH: What's coming up for you in 2017?
RAN: Well, military for the remainder of 2017. Hopefully 2018 will be my year ;)
BH: What's your dream?
RAN:As cliche as it sounds, as many times you've heard it on Hallmark postcards..it is honestly to be happy. With music or without music, but I do believe that music for me is the road to reach my dream
BH: Any last words or shout outs?
RAN: Believe in yourself. Be Yourself and criticize yourself in a positive and healthy way. Always strive to be your own.
Thanks for your time Hass!
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