Much like art, music is an essence that defines a significant and integral part of humanity. It has the ability to connect different genres, people and countries in a bond that deifies antipathy. Music in Saudi Arabia has changed drastically in the past few years. Women are more actively participating in the scene and the good news is they are now getting their due for it. The young generation is more aware and educated about universal standards of music. Some amateurs, some pioneers and some just do it for the love of music. In a quest to raise awareness and inspire the leaders and youth of tomorrow Saudi Gazette presents the current scene in the Kingdom. AbdulAziz Saga AbdulAziz Saga a.k.a Deejay Space started his career in Jeddah seven years ago. He moved to Washington DC and played in different clubs like Josephine, Spot and was a resident at Mate Lounge. His style consists of funky, house, techy, progressive sound. He now lives and studies in Miami, “I am going to be in Jeddah for a year and get back into deejaying at events.” He began deejaying at private parties and red bull events in Jeddah. He said traveling, visiting big clubs, meeting with big DJ's and producers like Paul van dyke, Tiesto, Armin van burn plus music festivals gave him the passion to pursue music. “It's just the love of house music.” His dream is to work with Fat boy Slim and Mark Knight. He learned dance music production in Miami with a Brazilian friend called Sybel And Sula lopes. “They are the owners of urbanized record.” Saga said it is difficult to progress in the genre of electronic music in Saudi Arabia because “its house music or RnB or hip hop, not Arabic like what Saudis are used to hearing. Only a few people know about it but now it's getting better than before.” When asked if it was easy for him to progress as a Saudi DJ, he said: “When I was in the US, it was easier for me because there is a place for DJ's.” His favorite Saudi DJ's are Hassan and Abbas Ghazzawi. “Not just because they are my friends; in my opinion, Omar Basaad is one of the best Saudi EDM producers.” Adwa Al-Dakheel Not only is she a woman pursuing music in Saudi and doing remarkably well at her age, she is a stock analyst, poet and her love for squash won her the Saudi Women Championship. She will soon publish a 90-page book, summarizing ‘300 business and psychology books, all in one.' Born to a family that appreciates art and music, Al-Dakheel, picked up instruments at a young age. She found solace in acoustics and especially the guitar. The young Saudi prodigy recently released her first acoustic album titled ‘Adwa by Adwa' on iTunes. Produced by Libra Productions, her album received huge applause from locals in Saudi Arabia, especially the younger generation of musicians and also got a 5-star rating on iTunes. Al-Dakheel said her second album would include vocals, violins, qanun, oud, piano and other instruments. Much like her interests her idols are a mix of Gibran Khalil Gibran, Warren Buffet, Ramy Ashour, John Mayer and Nizar Qabani among many others. Al-Dakheel admits a majority of Saudis are not open to Saudi female musicians but she has shown the strength to believe, achieve and pursue her dreams of becoming who she wants to be. She has been writing and playing music for 12 years and has been commended for her success globally. Mohannad Hani MindCircus a.k.a Mohannad Hani is a thriving music producer and sound engineer working for Universal Legends entertainment in Saudi Arabia. “My music is based around modern and old-school hip-hop and RnB.” He realized music was his calling after experiencing other job platforms in the Kingdom. He said he was born with the talent and was blessed with a family who helped him learn more about music. Hani learned the keyboard as a child. “My parents bought if for me as a gift. I also have musicians in the family and my mom used to play the piano. So I got it from her I guess. In 2005 I taught myself by understanding and studying D.A.Ws (music software) so I stuck to one called reason and taught my self everything. I kept progressing by listening and playing without taking lessons. Then down the line I discovered my signature sounds and I advanced musically.” Mohannad said: “My music reflects on my artist name MindCircus. I have my own signature sound and diversity when it comes to my production. Since the mind is kind of like a circus with a lot of things going on, it helps me do something different.” His ultimate dream is to work with Ryan Leslie, Dr Dre, Music soul child and Miguel.” Like many musicians, many need connections to make it big in Saudi Arabia's music industry. “Qusai, my cousin, has taken me to places I never thought possible all thanks to him. He has helped me a lot in my career. I used to rap ever since I was a kid and I was surrounded by the hip-hop culture.” He decided to make hip hop a part of his life. “But that decision came in 2000, before that I was just a listener. I started making music since 2000, as it became a hobby. I decided to go professional and make it my career in 2008. Since then it's been my job and how I make a living.” Hani grew up listening to Prince, Bone Thugs, 2pac and B.I.G. “Hip hop was the love of my life and it grew on me.” He said he would love to continue collaborating with his close friend Ayham Homsi (AY Productions) “Since we both share a lot in common and he is somewhat a big inspiration to me. I am always open to collaborating with anyone who is humble and who is on the same frequency as I am.” He said the music culture is growing massively in Saudi with a lot of people deejaying, producing, singing and rapping. “My future plans are to keep working and advancing more in my musical career to get placements with more local and international artists around the world. Since music is a universal language, I am happy with Universal legends entertainment. We plan to look forward and grow In Sha Allah.” Saleem Tabsh Saleem Tabsh a.k.a DJ Saleem, is a consistently popular name of Jeddah's nightlife spectrum. “I've always been into music.” He studied between Saudi and Lebanon. “I've also had loads of different influences when it comes to my music taste and always tell myself to never give up; to try and try and try.” He said music is an international language. “People accept it no matter what your language is or your message is- it is going to hit them.” He said he would like to play “with a DJ who has the biggest fans” one day. When I was kid I used to play with tapes and would start mixing the songs manually. I remember my brother used to keep telling me to turn down the noise.” When asked what defined him as a DJ, he said: “The future and I guess more fans around the world. Saleem usually plays with friend and DJ Hassan Gazzawi at events in Jeddah. His ultimate dream is to spread his music worldwide. He said it was possible for him to do so after he became the official DJ at Mix FM Radio, where he hosts his show twice a week. When asked where he learned music and how difficult it was for him to progress in Saudi he said he had to learn music himself. “I learned it in Jeddah. Before 1995 it was very difficult to be a DJ in Saudi but now thank God things have changed and people got used to it. As I mentioned before, music is an international language.” He plans to play in Miami Ultra Music Festival one day and his favorite destination- Ibiza.
