The 9/12 Hungama concert brings together three of the hottest contemporary talents, says Ujala Ali Khan
From romantic songs and energetic tracks to racy club tunes, there's something for every kind of fan of desi music tomorrow at the World Trade Centre Arena in Dubai. The music concert 9/12 Hungama brings together three of the most popular playback singers from the subcontinent for the first time.
The concept
"When CRE8 Events came up with the concept of putting Atif Aslam, Benny Dayal and Honey Singh in the same concert, it was an instant yes from our side," says Jameel Abdul, the marketing manager at Radio Mirchi UAE, an event partner.
Abdul adds that it will be a tightly managed concert with each artist performing at a separate time. "Music knows no boundaries and that is evident in our strong Indian and Pakistani listener base at Radio Mirchi. The UAE has a great appetite for Bollywood," he says.
The line-up
The three performers at 9/12 Hungama are all forces to be reckoned with. Since the release of his debut album Jalpari in 2004, the Pakistani singer and actor Atif Aslam has become a sensation, performing hit songs for films both in his home country and India, including Bollywood's Race 2 earlier this year. One of his newest songs, Main Rang Sharbaton Ka, featuring in the romantic comedy Phata Poster Nikla Hero (out on September 19 in the UAE), has already made it into the desi music charts.
Honey Singh is an Indian rapper and bhangra artist who has a series of hits under his belt including the immensely popular track Lungi Dance from Chennai Express, the recent blockbuster starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.
For local audiences, the most interesting of the trio will perhaps be Benny Dayal, a former Abu Dhabi resident and a Bollywood playback singer with possibly the most views on YouTube for a Bollywood playback singer.
"Benny went to the same school that I went to," says Abdul. "So on a personal front, I am excited to see him performing live. Although he is from the UAE and has delivered hit after hit, Benny is not yet a household name here.
"A concert like this will be a massive platform for him to showcase his talent. He has given some big hits in recent times, like the songs Badtameez Dil and Shuddh Desi Romance, and I am sure our listeners are keen to see him in action. He blends perfectly with Honey Singh and Atif Aslam."
What to expect
"This is our effort to deliver the biggest desi youth concert in the history of the UAE. The audience can expect a music and dance spectacle with a heady dose of Bollywood, pop, bhangra, rock and dance music," promises Abdul. "The name says it all: it will be a 'hungama' [spectacle] in every sense of the word. It will be the most vivacious party Dubai has witnessed in a long time and for a long time to come. We want to give the fans one of their most memorable concert experiences."
artslife@thenational.ae
. 9/12 Hungama is tomorrow at Dubai's World Trade Centre Arena. Gates open at 7.30pm, the concert starts at 9pm. Tickets cost Dh1,000 (platinum), Dh750 (diamond), Dh300 (gold) and Dh150 (silver)
