If you’re after a smooth and soulful Saturday night in Dubai, look no further than the Boom Room in Stereo Arcade.
Saudi R’n’B crooner Hamza Hawsawi and Iraqi singer-songwriter Shebani will showcase their singing chops at a free gig on September 9, hosted by hip-hop MC Big Hass.
“This show is special because I will get to perform some new material and new songs that I haven’t performed before. I will also share the stage with Shebani who is an incredible artist and a friend,” Hawsawi told Gulf News tabloid! ahead of the show.
The 26-year-old singer released his latest single titled Love a Little earlier this year. He’s best known for his time on X Factor Arabia in 2015, where he performed in front of live audiences and ultimately won the title.
“Live performances are huge to me. Performing live and having the people see you, connect with you and interact with you is something that is very important to me. I can’t wait to experience that this Saturday,” he said.
Hawsawi will be joined by the UAE-based Shebani, who recently released her first EP, Alter Ego. She describes the six-track album as a “smooth combination of R’n’B and neo-pop”.
“The songs represent a lot of the thoughts and emotions that I experienced while I was writing Alter Ego. They speak truth; perhaps even things that you don’t get to hear from me on a daily basis,” she said.
The singer left to London a month after the release of Alter Ego last year and performed it in front of unfamiliar crowds and faces. She said it would be ‘absolutely surreal’ to perform the songs in Dubai for the first time.
“Family and friends are going to be there, and that’s a crowd that has been supporting me since day one. I want to share this moment with them,” she said.
The show, which will also feature an appearance from producer Rayan and opening DJ Liutik, will be hosted by Big Hass, who recently relocated to Dubai from Jeddah for the sake of his autistic son, because “the awareness here is much better”.
In 2012, he launched The Beat in Saudi Arabia, a series of music events championing live performances by local artists. He hopes to execute the same concept in the UAE.
“This is somehow the soft launch of my vision in Dubai and I am proud that it’s with two of the best singers we have in Arabia. My next plan is purely hip-hop, I will be hosting an incredible line up of rappers from the Mena region. Just stay tuned,” said Hass.
*Hamza Hawsawi and Shebani will perform at the Boom Room, Stereo Arcade, on September 9. Free entry. Doors open at 7.30pm; show begins at 8.30pm.
