JEDDAH: The 2020 lockout period allowed many new things to be explored, and encouraged many Saudis to become DJs. Arab News spoke to newcomers to the field and experts with years of experience.
Saudi business engineer Abdulrahman Hakem, 30, has been a DJ for nearly a year. “I’ve always had an interest in music, and I’ve always had a special taste in music that made me want to be a DJ,” he told Arab News.
He bought a small DJ set and started learning the craft.
“The lock-in period was a golden opportunity for me, to be free for a few months. I learned so much in my spare time, from tutorial videos to programs, and I expanded my playlist, ”he said.
Celebrating the social reforms and support from the Saudi General Recreation Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Hakem said they provided many opportunities for local talents to enter the profession.
“Before the social reforms, we had never heard of Saudi or Saudis DJs with an interest in the field of music, they were only a minority. Now we have a lot of events and any event needs a DJ presence, ”he said.
He expected many Saudi DJs to appear with great potential.
I think when we get the time or the opportunity, we can explore our creative side.
Viva
“The UK encourages tourism. We are still in the first step in tourism, a country like Saudi Arabia is big and there will be so many events in different fields, ”he said, adding:“ I see this as a golden opportunity for us Saudis to test in this field. ”
He said tourism “will boost the economy in the years to come and we will continue to develop the industry. ”
Hakem said many Saudis are skeptical about being DJs, fearing a negative reaction in society, but found that everyone he met respected him and his efforts . “No one tried to take me down, I just found love, encouragement and joy.”
No one tried to take me down. I received nothing but love, encouragement and joy.
Abdulrahman Hakem
Hakem’s first supporters were his friends and family, which inspired him to be enthusiastic about the field and learn more. He said that does not see him as someone who has reached the top yet because he is still learning and improving himself.
The positive feedback he receives on social media makes him happy and encourages him to struggle further. “Everyone who is thinking of entering this field is fully encouraged and supported.”
Egyptian-Saudi student and social media influencer Farouq Al-Adawi, 20, has been a DJ for seven months.
“In 2020, everyone was looking for new activities and activities. I’ve loved music all my life and when it came to quarantine, a lock brought me into this new hobby, ”Al-Adawi told Arab News.
Latin-Canada and Saudi DJ Viva have been in the business for just over two years. She is married to DJ Zerone, one of the first Saudi DJs to debut in 1999.
“A few COVID-19 DJs were born in 2020,” she told Arab News. “I think when we get the time or the opportunity, we can explore our creative side and see what talents are beneath the surface of our daily lives, and the lockout gave that opportunity to many.”
She said: “People started reaching out for lessons in DJing and music production, and just to ask about a career. ”
The artist picked up the positive outcomes for music producers in 2020, with many finding it therapeutic. “This lock also brought a lot of people who were just starting out with the time to practice and hone their skills, and now it’s great to watch these people play live and play. and that is a very optimistic outcome of the pandemic. ”
DJ Viva recently collaborated on a remix with an artist named Nktorious from Riyadh, who said she finds it possible to study the effect on a DJ mixer as “therapeutic in the times are so awful. ”
She said she has seen an increase in the number of women interested in trying DJing. “I believe it is time for them to shine. Saudi music and entertainment industry has jumped and completed the country’s new 2030 Vision, all in a short time. It’s great to see Saudi talent rising and being more respected. ”