Eager to uncover the capital’s cultural scene, Abu Dhabi Week sits down with three residents paving the way
From photographers and sculptors to poets and musicians, the capital is swarming with hidden talent. But in such a ‘young’ city, the cultural community is only just beginning to come into its own. Abu Dhabi Week sits down with three cultural pioneers who are working to establish a platform for residents to express and share their talents.
All about the wordplay
It’s difficult to be part of the capital’s culture scene and not hear of Dorian Paul D Rogers. The multi-talented American spoken word artist was a regular member of the US poetry troop Black On Black Rhyme. After moving to Abu Dhabi in 2011, the wordsmith couldn’t help but notice a lack of culture and arts.
“I saw things here but it seemed fragmented,” says Rogers. “As I paid attention there were film festivals, there was Yasalam; but there was a major gap when it came to a regular poetry night.”
So began Rooftop Rhythms, a monthly open-mic poetry show that aims to be a ‘high-class, positive event’. Since the first instalment in March 2012, Rogers has been overwhelmed at the event’s success.
“The first night we had about 90 people. We’ve more than doubled that crowd since then. The biggest change now is the demand to perform; it’s overwhelming.”
The show’s success proves the city’s artists were yearning for a creative outlet. While large-scale events such as Abu Dhabi Festival and Beats on the Beach draw big crowds, Rogers says it’s the regular community-based events that need support. Through individual and collective efforts, Rogers hopes to see a “continual bridging between all cultures” through encouragement of independent events such as Rooftop Rhythms. By tapping into the country’s multi-culturalism, Rogers knows there’s one-of-a-kind potential for a unique community in the capital.
“At Rooftop Rhythms you can see a poet from Sudan followed by a poet from Ireland then a singer from India. Where else are you going to get such cultural diversity?”
Inspired by the feeling that he’s filling a cultural void, the artist is on a mission to continue to provide a platform for other artists. Rogers believes the confidence to perform is contagious and loves nothing more than to see a first-time contender go from stuttering schoolboy to poised poet.
So what’s next for the lyricist? “I’d like to publish a book of poems inspired here – this will be my coming home moment.” Rogers also launched Rooftop Rhythms Arabia, Abu Dhabi Soul and 50 Shades of Blues.
To find out more search for Rooftop Rhythms on Facebook.
All-round creative genius
At the helm of Abu Dhabi Creative Club is the multi-talented Kwame Busia. Craving a scene where the capital’s artistic residents could assemble, the budding photographer established the group in 2012 for like-minded people to discuss photography, graphic design, music and arts.
“It’s been really interesting; we’ve got a lot of writers, producers, sculptors and painters while some are just thinkers,” says Busia. “You have so many different types of people and they’ve all got so much to offer. You never know what you’re going to get but you always come back with something positive.”
At each meeting, artists may bring physical pieces of work while others bring an iPad with their portfolio. Participants habitually team up with artists in similar disciplines, but often the group finds itself delving into general topics such as overcoming creative block.
While Abu Dhabi Creative Club is currently organised through Meet Up, Busia plans to establish it as a platform on its own and eventually hold exhibitions.
Under his modest façade, Busia is hiding some serious chops. When he’s not running the Creative Club or tweaking his own acoustic records, the smooth singer can be found working with local artists in his home studio. Although Busia considers music production to be a hobby, he’s quickly becoming a go-to for musicians.
Having moved here from London six years ago, Busia notices a big difference in the capital’s cultural scene.
“Gradually what’s happening is that people are beginning to take art into their own hands. They’re not waiting for big cultural events in order to get themselves in a place where they can network. I think that’s the creation of an actual community.”
Events such as Rooftop Rhythms and Freshly Ground Sounds – an indie-soul open mic night – as well as the production company White Cube offer local musicians a fresh platform to share their voice. Busia is also keen to point out the accessibility of organisers at independent events.
“One of the nice things about Abu Dhabi is people won’t exclude you from being part of whatever you want to be part of. One of the things about the big shows is you feel like you’re on the outside looking in.”
Eager to see passionate artists and musicians doing what they love, Busia offers some sound advice: “For me it’s about trying to express yourself as genuinely as possible. Do it for the right reasons.”
To find out more search for Abu Dhabi Creative Club on Facebook or Meetup.
How I Flex
Being a pioneer is all about taking matters into your own hands and that’s exactly what music mogul Sadiece Holland did. Growing up in the UAE, the aspiring artist was limited to the playground to express her creativity. After a stint abroad, the hip youngster returned eager to provide something more permanent for the capital’s talented residents.
In March 2013, Holland combined her music industry background with recent efforts in TV production and established The Flex.
“I created The Flex as a media platform for aspiring artists and musicians to be exposed not only within Abu Dhabi but also to the rest of the world via the internet,” says Holland.
Crediting the name of her company with her father, The Flex is inspired by a Jamaican term that means to show off. The Flex airs online episodes – or webisodes – of local artists doing their thing and showing viewers how they ‘flex’.
“I hand pick people myself who I’ve seen out and about on the scene – people who’ve been recommended to me by other artists. But I am also open to submissions.”
The one-woman team then scours the city looking for perfect locations that speak for each artist.
Holland is quick to point out that the local music scene – which she describes as once being almost non-existent – is going through a transitional period, with a lot of changes still to be made, particularly when it comes to the mentality of
big organisations.
“One of the simplest things is for promoters to book local talent and that’s how you create an industry: put money into it.” Eager to get sponsorship and funding from local organisations such as Sultan Bin Zayed’s Culture and Media Centre and the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, she only hopes that the right people will have faith in local talent.
Flex episodes air on Fox and FX. If you want to flex your talents, send your contact details with an audio or video clip to [email protected].
Season 3 of ‘How We Flex’ will launch on FX in mid-January.
Tune in to Radio 1’s Home-grown segment to hear Holland and DJ Dany Neville on Saturdays from 7pm to 10pm. To catch up on webisodes, visit: www.youtube.com/HowWeFlex
Up and coming
Zainab Hafiz: Busia says if this soulful songstress puts a record out she’ll really be going places.
Farah Chamma: Last year this young Palestinian poet’s video ‘Nationality’ had close to 400,000 hits. According to Rogers the spoken star is setting tongues wagging because she’s ‘hip, cool and speaking in Arabic’.
Josh J: Soon after making his debut on Flex Sessions, this Indian musician opened for Alicia Keys in Dubai.
Hamdan Al Abri: Singer of band Bull Funk Zoo, Holland says the soul/funk Emirati, along with band founder Assaad Lakkis, is making waves on the scene.
Ash Hamam: Already selling albums in Virgin Megastore in the UAE, this African R&B singer is doing big things.
Advice from the gurus
Kwame Busia
“Get over any insecurity you might have about putting your work in front of people.”
“Find people who are interested in the same thing and collaborate with them. If you isolate yourself you might cut yourself off from valuable advice.”
“Nowadays you have a lot of outlets to put your work in front of people such as open mic nights or you can set up your own website.”
Dorian Paul D Rogers
“Use social media to test the water.”
“Get a writing partner or someone who will give you constructive criticism.”
“Know that some poets never share their work. Poetry – just the writing of it – can be cathartic.”
Sadiece Holland
“Invest in yourself before you can expect anyone else to.”
“Make sure you have all your social media in place then start building a fan base by going out and performing at open mic nights everywhere you can.”
Rachael Peacock
