We speak to up and coming Saudi Arabian dance producer Omar Basaad before hitting the decks Friday at the Sandance music festival.
How did you get started in the game?
I've always loved music. When I was a kid I bought a beat-box and other musical instruments just to learn the fundamental basics of music. And from there onwards, I spent hours in the studio learning and creating new sounds. I improved myself. I learned algorithms, notes, and the fundamentals of recording techniques and finally produced my own music.
What was it about dance music that attracted you?
Dance music has a feeling. It's as simple as that. It can make you sad or happy in a break down of a song and as the anthem builds up to the beat it can make you breakout into a dance. It plays with emotions and just connects with me.
Is there a DJ community in Saudi Arabia?
There are DJ's but the scene is yet to develop and mature officially.
Is it tough to improve as DJ considering one cannot perform such gigs in the kingdom?
I believe there are no excuses to achieving dreams. If being a DJ is yours no matter where you are, you can achieve it. There is a chance for aspiring DJ's and they just have to take the initiative. It's not a pastime, you really have to want it.
How did the Nehayitna Eh come about?
Nehayitna was released in 2009. It's been remixed and I've recently released a Dubstep version of it. I always use my heritage to my advantage, synchronizing various facets. That helped with Nehayitna Eh. I guess I just use my knowledge of music genres, cultures and connect experiences I had to synthesize new things.
For those who never heard you, what should they expect?
I would rather let my work (in this case music) speak for me. You should come to Sandance and find out!
Any last words?
I am very excited about my first EP called ''Vega'' that has been released on Beatport and will soon be available on iTunes. It's got a total of 6 brand new tracks and is a very special compilation.
Omar Basaad will perform as part of the Sandance Festival. Friday, 2pm-2am. Nasimi Beach, Atlantis Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Tickets begin at Dh 275 from www.timeouttickets.com
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
Company%20profile
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Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Company%20Profile
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Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
bundesliga results
Mainz 0 Augsburg 1 (Niederlechner 1')
Schalke 1 (Caligiuri pen 51') Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Miranda og 81')
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine 2.4L four-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The%20BaaS%20ecosystem
%3Cp%3EThe%20BaaS%20value%20chain%20consists%20of%20four%20key%20players%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsumers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End-users%20of%20the%20financial%20product%20delivered%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDistributors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Also%20known%20as%20embedders%2C%20these%20are%20the%20firms%20that%20embed%20baking%20services%20directly%20into%20their%20existing%20customer%20journeys%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEnablers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Usually%20Big%20Tech%20or%20FinTech%20companies%20that%20help%20embed%20financial%20services%20into%20third-party%20platforms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProviders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Financial%20institutions%20holding%20a%20banking%20licence%20and%20offering%20regulated%20products%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
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Sly%20Cooper%20and%20the%20Thievius%20Raccoonus
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The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
Company%20Profile
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