This year is already shaping up to be the biggest of DJ Bliss’s career. The growing popularity of the Emirati hip-hop artist – real name Marwan Parham Al Awadhi – was rewarded with a recording contract with major label Universal.
His debut single under the deal, Shining (featuring Kuwaiti crooner Daffy and American rapper Mims), has already clocked more than a million plays on YouTube.
The 33-year-old celebrated this milestone last night with a private bash at Dubai nightclub Cirque Le Soir – but Al Awadhi says that we ain’t seen nothing yet.
Shining has been received very well in the clubs and especially on YouTube. What is it about the song that has struck a chord with listeners?
I have been working very hard on the song. Also things came together in the right way, in that I signed for Universal earlier in the year, myself and producer Prince Q did the song and we booked a big advertising campaign for it across social media. Also, just having that Universal stamp on the song and them creating a Vevo account for it just really made the song take off.
You were an independent artist before signing to Universal. How is life on a big label?
It is a tricky one, because a lot of people advised me not to sign to a major record label. But I wanted that platform and those contacts. I have released things independently or through other artists, but once you sign up to a major label your songs are immediately on iTunes and Anghami, and for the Middle East that’s very important.
How did Shining come together?
I have been working on the song for nearly a year and a half. We initially did this beat with fellow Emirati producer Prince Q and we had four or five different people singing the hook.
Can you name names?
Right until the last minute, when we were about to shoot the video, we had (American R&B singer) Lloyd singing the hook – but we didn’t come to an understanding regarding the contract and all that.
You got Daffy to replace Lloyd and it obviously paid off. How did you guys meet?
I have been talking to Daffy for a while. We met through Instagram and I was familiar with his group, Army of One, from back in the day. And then when he released that song, Samboosa, and it was doing big things, I really listened to his voice and I thought it would suit the song. So I sent him the song and he liked it. He came to my studio in Dubai and recorded it.
You also got American rapper Mims on board. Were you surprised by the many references to the UAE he dropped in his verse?
Yes and no. I am not surprised in that he spends a lot of time here, but at the same time, I was surprised in that it was done in such an intelligent way. You know, Mims is just a great rapper and he is very under-rated. He puts on a great show as well – and when he performs here he has always been great.
Shining may surprise people in that you sing on this record. What made you step out from behind the decks for this one?
I used to sing and dance when I was growing up. I used to play in a rock band and play the guitar, so it is not really anything new to me. When I did my last song, Let It Go, people were telling me that I was really singing and doing much more on the song. So this time I sang on it throughout, because I wanted to show people what I can do.
The video is very flashy and it has more of an international feel to it than your last promo, for Let It Go. What was the idea behind it?
Part of the clip of the song was actually done for a Chrysler commercial, which I was blessed to do for the Middle East. I am blessed in that they got people such as Dr Dre and Eminem to do it for the American version and we wanted to do the clip similar to that. This is why it has a very international feel.
What is your next move, musically?
I am really experimenting with sounds and songs right now to see where I can go with it. I have in my possession right now – and this is the reason why I went to Universal in the first place – an album of 10 songs by artists from the region and internationals. It crosses different genres, from pop, rock, R&B and dubstep. I wanted to first put my song out and learn from the experience and prepare the groundwork for the others.
Shining is out now through Universal Music Mena. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/djblissdubai
sasaeed@thenational.ae
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
SPECS
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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AT%20A%20GLANCE
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UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
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)
The five pillars of Islam
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
Kill%20
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Company%20Profile
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Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The%20Iron%20Claw
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SPECS
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The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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