Iraqi-Kiwi artist I-NZ whose real name is Majid, just dropped his first EP just a year following the release of his viral YouTube video ‘This Is Iraq’, a remake to ‘This Is America’ by Childish Gambino.
The EP titled ‘Dollars & Dinars’ is now available on ALL streaming services. As a Kiwi born in Scotland to Iraqi parents, the cultural diversity is evident throughout his music,
The 8 track project is reflective of I-NZ’s current headspace as he addresses aspects of his personal life alongside various social injustice and political subjects.
The EP carries a dark and mysterious theme throughout yet still offers head bobbing moments by way of quality productions from A’Y and Prince Q.
There are couple of tracks that I really like on the EP, I like "Geppetto" and "Ellah Billah". I think I-NZ style challenged the producers which results in something kind of unique. It will be interesting to see how the Dubai Hip-Hop fan base react to this EP especially that it has "Vibes" but also there are important lyrics/songwriting that addresses issues that people in Dubai/region might not care about or want to get away from.
I-NZ has since been creating music that aims to bridge his Eastern roots with his Western upbringing. He does that in his own way. I still want to see what he has for the future and can't wait to get to know that EP he just dropped a bit more.
It didn't take a lot of time for me to become a big fan of this artist, her vibe and humbleness are just incredible. She has always shown support to artists in Dubai and I believe its our turn to show love to one of most talented musicians in this region. I had a quick Q&A with Aleks who just dropped her new solo song exclusively on Anghami. Have a good read ;)
Big Hass :You're an incredible keyboardist and vocalist. How did it all start for you?
Aleksandra: It all started when my parents took me to music school at the age of 5 after discovering that I was born with perfect pitch. It was at the time of the civil war in former Yugoslavia so no one was really buying pianos then but my parents had some savings and supported my love for music. My first piano was a beautiful 100 year old vintage upright we got from a family that was emigrating because of the war. I studied music for another 20 years or so after that. And during that same time, since the age of 12,
I was singing and playing in different bands and working with different music producers and touring with them around Europe.
BH: How has it been working with Hamdan Al-Abri?
Aleks: He’s just brilliant! I have never met anyone like Hamdan. He has been a constant inspiration. He's a pioneer, groundbreaking and super brave with everything he's done, always a step ahead. I love the way he treats music and artistry with so much respect. He is so incredibly talented and hard working - his music is before everything else and on the top of all that he's so humble. So much love and respect for him.
BH: You just dropped a NEW solo song produced by "Rayan" Too Close To The Sun EXCLUSIVELY on Anghami. How did the track evolve? and how is it working with one of the hottest producers in town?
Aleks: Ohhhh, I love working with Bailouni! For me, his studio is a little happy place i always love going back to. Growing up an artist I always felt a bit like an outsider, felt like I'm not always fully understood. Amazing thing about Bailouni is that he understands my ideas and visions and I feel like I can express myself fully without being judged - and thats something I highly value. We work really well together. He’s so quick, talented and knowledgeable. And he’s just getting better and better!
With ‘Too Close To The Sun’ I just came to the studio with the piano lick I recorded on my voice messages and we loved the way how piano sounded detuned and slightly distorted. I played it again and we tried recreating the sound and while I was trying to figure what pads to play - Bailouni already created the magic. Then I just went in and laid down some vocals. We actually kept a lot of the original vocal takes.
BH:You are inspired by legends like ella fitzgerald, billie holiday, aretha franklin, how important is it for the young generation to also study those greats?
Aleks:I think the fact that many great artists are long gone and that we still listen to their music says a lot about the longevity of the music. I don't believe in theory that old music is better and that whatever we are listening to today is bad - on the contrary - but I think it’s great to know the history so you can make the future better. I apply that in every sphere of life.
BH: What are your thoughts on the Dubai Music Scene?
Aleks: The first time I came to Dubai (almost 6 years ago) and started checking out the music clubs and bars I was pretty disappointed by the music being played. Everywhere I went I heard the same Top 40 music, sometimes even in the same order :) Living in Europe - I was used to going to live music clubs, techno clubs, hip-hip clubs or just any kind of club that played ‘underground’ or ‘alternative’ music, so places where there was some kind of subculture. It took me a while to find different venues and likeminded people, I started to realize that there is some alternative scene here. From that point on things changed rapidly!
New artists started popping up and there are many great ones. I figured that I can also create something that is going to maybe influence someone else in the future. Thats the great thing about this place, that we all can be pioneers in something and there is a whole new generation of young, bold and beautifully creative people who grew up on the art scene over here. If they are the epitome of things to come - then the future looks and sounds good.
BH:What does live performance mean to you?
Aleks: I've been performing since I was 8 years old so it’s pretty much second nature to me. I feel way more natural expressing myself through live performance and music. Performing live means you summoning a wide range of emotions, personalities and traits. I always try to leave a piece of my heart on stage. The biggest compliment for me is when someone says that my music sounds genuine or it touched someone in some way.
BH: Tell us something not a lot of people know about you..?
Aleks: I believe in equality, freedom of mind and speech. I love Wes Anderson’s and Wong Kar-wai’s movies. I studied video art and 3D animation for a while, and if I wasn't a musician I would probably be a Graphic Designer or a contemporary dancer :)
BH: Any last words to Re-Volt blog?
Aleks: Thanks a lot for all the love and support Big Hass, you're such a legend! Keep up with great work promoting and helping artists. We are all lucky to have you in our region, helping us get heard. I have nothing but love and respect for you.
Listen to the track Aleks just released on Anghami below
Below is a list of few Khaleeji Rappers you should know about. These are rappers that are GCC Nationals. *** Please feel free to send me others & I will add it Rappers should be from GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE, OMAN, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait)
Soaking in a tub filled with Laban (Yoghurt) and humoring a crawling snake, Dubai-based Somali rapper Freek comes back with an original trap music video that tackles things in its rawest form. It is simple. It is utterly "WADHA"
Video directed by the incredible Omar Tartoob and the song was produced by the genius "RAYAN"
He's one of the very few "trap" artists I truly appreciate/enjoy listening to, only because I know he reps his reality whether that's positive or negative.
I love the word-play he uses and visually its just DOPE!
Emirati singer/songwriter "Abri" alongside his group Funk Radius just released a video for their track "Sunny Daze". I had the honor to interview Abri and also catch this track performed on my show. I fell in love with it and the vibe. Abri is considered a legend in the UAE scene not to mention that hes mad talented. I am so happy to see him release videos/songs. This video is so cool, given that it's also directed by "Freek" who is one of the best at this in the city. When I asked Freek how was it working with Abri, he said " Humble man, been seeing him on TV since I was a teen.. and now I am collaborating with him to direct a video for him. It's an honor.."
And this is what Abri had to say "I am excited about releasing Abri & Funk Radius 'Sunny Daze (Ankabūt)', our new single and video exclusively on Anghami. The song and video were done a while back so i was itching to get it out there so that people could hear it and watch the amazing video (shoot and edited by Freek T.V) at the same time, that way they get the whole experience. The song and video go hand in hand.'" & When I asked him about the spider, Abri said " The Spider is symbolic. It represents the female and fate. The choices that we make construct our lives. SO if you do good things then good things happen but if you make bad choices, then..."
The video was released EXCLUSIVELY on Music Streaming Service "Anghami" - Check it out below. Dope Song. Dope Visuals. Abri is BACK!
Dubai Based Singer/Songwriter "Shèbani" releases a video for her track "Right By You" after ONE year of dropping her EP "Alter Ego" which was produced entirely by RAYAN. The video was released EXCLUSIVELY on Music Streaming Service provider "Anghami" - Check it out below During the span of the year, Shèbani went to the UK to study music at BIMM London - that experience was great for her, she met a lot of people and also performed in London and on campus.
Shebani
What I personally love about Shèbani is her passion & dedication. She's humble and mad talented. Go show some love & follow her on Instagram Fans who subscribed to her mailing list also got a "gift" from Shèbani and it was a song entitled "O.K"
This is a quote from her about the video...
"It’s been the year of my life. A year of music, growth, accomplishments, hardship, long lasting friendships, and eye opening experiences. I don’t believe that any of it would’ve been possible without the support that you have shown me. I’m a big believer that life is all about giving back as much as you receive. So it is with a warm heart that I can finally give you back a gesture that measures my gratitude." Shèbani
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!
I was able and through the good people of 1520 to get a phone interview with American Hip-Hop artist "RUSS".. sadly the audio got damaged and it wasn't recorded well.. ;( I am trying my best now to either revive it or do a re-interview when he comes to Dubai, UAE for his FIRST SHOW IN UAE )
The main question people wanted to ask RUSS was about his "policy" for not having any opening acts in his shows. His reply was ""Let them build their own **** fan base, I have worked so hard to get mine and I ain't giving it away like that & if rappers get mad, let them get mad"
He also expressed his love for the Middle-East ! He does have fans from Saudi who will be flying in to attend. His show on Friday 29th is highly anticipated and it's so cool to see someone like "RUSS" selling out venues worldwide. At one point he kept releasing a song every week for a year. His work ethic is incredible and when I asked him about that, his answer was "I simply wanted to blow up" which he did!
If you're in the region, make sure you fly out for this and attend the show.
Big salute to Rèpublique for hooking me up with 2 free tickets! I cant wait to be there and hopefully get a backstage pass and do the interview (THIS TIME VIDEO !!)
I've known Kshr Abz since 2011/2012, I remember he was & hopefully still a fan of my radio show "Laish Hip-Hop?" - I hosted him on the show as well. I liked his flow and I always want to give a platform to artists to express their talent. Life is a journey and I am now broadcasting my show from the UAE and Kshr is building his own following in the UAE and on the web, I believe he's got loyal fans and people behind him that push him & support his music.
He just released this video for his track "Campaign" ft 1 Take Nandos (produced by Blue Nova), this track was part of his EP called "3 Piece" that has 2 other songs that fit the same vibe
I asked him to talk about the track, he gave re-volt this answer "This song is just talking about me having people behind me.....Team too strong I might run for president....Squad running like a campaign is the hook.. it's a track you celebrate with your circle, your close people that support you and move with you" He is trying to target a different crowd and I love that he's always experimenting. Check out the video below
Dina Saadi is a visual artist based Dubai. She was born in Moscow and raised in Damascus. She holds a BA in Visual Communications. She has completed many artwork in public spaces across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the US. Her style is influenced by Pop Art, rich in colour and pattern. Dina believes in changing the world through art and transforming public spaces into galleries. She is very passionate about empowering Arab women to use the streets of the Middle East as their canvas.
Dina, living and working in Dubai, focuses on her career as a visual artist, muralist and video blogger that travels around the world documenting the various stages of her journey and process. Dina Saadi was artist in residence at thejamjar from 15 January to 9 March. She is holding a Solo Exhibition in Dubai at JamJar from 13-23 March,2017 that I truly recommend you checking out. I had the pleasure to take a sneak peek and I LOVED IT !! Here's the flyer:
Social links: www.instagram.com/dinasaadi/ www.facebook.com/SaadiDina/ Snapchat: dina_saadi dinasaadi.tumblr.com twitter.com/SaadiDina
If you been following me, then you know that I fully support my brother el Seed, his work is inspiring, not only because its visually beautiful; but also he's very humble about it and he's a people person. He's currently in process of doing his FIRST OFFICIAL WALL in Dubai, which is a bit of a shock given that an incredible Arab artist like el Seed has done work ALL across the world; but that's why the support should always be there for these kind of artists who are shaping our lives in a creative way. I will be trying and cover the process as he continues to work; here are some of the pictures from the first couple of days. If you're in Dubai, pass by Green Planet (City Walk) & show support for a man who is a legend in the making. Very proud to have seen el Seed's work even gone up with him on the CRANE one time! Check here
Incredible Color Contrast .. el Seed working #elSeedinDubai
Had to get a Selfie with the man himself!
@ it ...
on the Left Ahmad (ANTHLGY) & Ouahid (el Seed's friend & manager)
Selfie with a legend
**UPDATE el Seed is still going strong and below are few pix updating the process:-
Dubai based Sarah Al Shaybani is truly one of my favourite local artists in Arabia! Sarah has always had an authentic and humble vibe. She is about to release her first EP entitled 'Alter Ego' - I personally am looking forward to hear it. Sarah will be teaming up with Rayan who has produced all the tracks on the EP!
Follow the journey and catch few glimpses of the EP @ Sarah's FB Page HERE
Shout out to my people hosting this amazing podcast! Really enjoying it. Salute to OT, Jibb & Toofless. I love the authenticity of this podcast. Proud of you guys. Keep it up & I hope I be on that show one day. Make sure you get familiar with this podcast now #DUKKANSHOW straight outta the UAE to the world.
& the Recipe are back! Lookin' forward to hear their new material. They definitely had the passion & the talent. Shout out to Bangzy on the production!
