DUBAI // An American rapper living here wants to shake up the music scene and give local talent a wider audience.
Nasir Akmal, who performs under the name Jihad, aims to open a production company that would give local musicians and film-makers greater exposure.
He also wants to bring American hip-hop stars to Dubai to increase the artistic conversation between the two countries.
"There is a huge passion for music here, especially hip-hop, so the problem is not creating a scene," he said. "It is about bringing people together and creating unity."
Akmal has had some success in the US working with artists such as Cassius, a rapper signed to Eminem's label, Interscope, and Napoleon, is who featured on albums by the rapper Tupac.
"The UAE, and particularly Dubai, is getting better known and having a more international presence in areas such as business and tourism. I think it's about time the music scene over here did the same thing."
Distribution deals and exposure in local media are the key areas for improvement, Mr Akmal says. Since moving to Dubai last year, he has found it difficult to get his music played.
"I have made two mix tapes with American DJs but it's been a real struggle to get them heard anywhere other than on the internet. It made me want to do something about it."
Akmal hopes to bring American hip-hop artists to Dubai for live performances. "I am on the verge of confirming a big name to play here before the year is out," he said. "I also hope to bring acts over who are huge in the US but completely unknown here. I think it will help musical communication."
Akmal also wants to get into film production and hopes to change stereotypes of Muslims and the Middle East through film.
"I am a Muslim with Pakistani and Afghan roots so it is important to work in this area of the world and to embrace my community," he added. "I hope that my American links start to change the way people think and begin to open up the music scene here."
@Email:aseaman@thenational.ae
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
World Cup League Two
Results
Oman beat Nepal by 18 runs
Oman beat United States by six wickets
Nepal beat United States by 35 runs
Oman beat Nepal by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Oman v United States
Wednesday, Nepal v United States
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Aguero 1', 44', 61'
Arsenal 1
Koscielny 11'
Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
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RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm