Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything,” said Plato. Rony Jackson a.k.a Rone Jaxx is an urban music legend widely regarded as a hip-hop pioneer in the UAE. He started deejaying at the age of 13. Rone describes himself as “a conservative guy who is loyal to his family and loved ones. I enjoy simple things in life with people I care about.”

Rone spoke to Saudi Gazette in an exclusive interview about the politics of past, present and future of UAE music industry. Back in the day without Twitter, Facebook and social media, Rone said it was not easy to be heard. “I had to make a lot of noise. I was in school when I started deejaying to earn some extra money. I used to write poetry and rhymes for fun in my spare time.”

“It was hard to be a DJ because you had to buy turntables and vinyl so only people who truly loved music and had the patience would DJ and get gigs. Most people didn't have turntables or knew how to use them. It was just a hand full of DJs like Abdul Raab, Who jack swing, DJ Saleh, DJ Eddie, DJ twin (Ibrahim), Ahmad turbo and then me.”

“I used to draw a lot while listening to my walkman of mixtapes I made using tape decks; and a disc-man with which I also first started deejaying. These tapes circulated at house parties and people started hearing and asking me about them. And that is how it all started.”

“I started buying tapes, selling and playing even at proms.”He said music elevates his mood, the way he feels. Music has always been around him. His love and collection of music came from his father and brothers. “I would listen to songs on the radio and think it would sound better with a different beat, so I would make notes and try to make it work.

I didn’t go to college because I was busy learning music and playing gigs, especially after my dad lost his job. I was kind of forced to do it at an early age to help and support them.” 

While in high school, Rone was looking to make that extra bit of money to buy his own technical equipment. As his mix tapes got popular and “Rone Jaxx” became a popular name at every house party and local school events, he earned enough to buy his first keyboard. “Back then most DJs didn't scratch. I used to scratch/juggle a lot and sometimes grab the microphone to battle MCs, which was new at the time. I used to have my flight case, two people had to pick it up. It’s basically like a coffin with two turntables and a mixer.

“Rone said when the garage and house scene was big in the UK, it picked up in Dubai too. “Because whatever is played there or once a fad gets popular, it is mirrored and considered good in the region.”

He remembers deejaying for people much older than him at a new years event when the designated DJ fell out. From Elvis to 70's 80's & 90's he won the hearts of those beyond his years. "Besides listening to music from my own era I would love listening to older tunes, 60's rock ballads, anything which gets to me. I love it all.”

Rone made sure he educated himself, even “back when vinyl records and new music were inaccessible in Dubai.” He said: “It’s like books, you are going to try and learn any way you can. So back in the day when anyone would travel, I would ask them to get me records, books and documentaries. Just to learn more about music. I wanted to know the history. I used to read about music, anything about it.”

Rone improved his musical vocabulary growing up in a city that was not open to the vast culture it holds now.

With access to unheard and brand new records in Dubai, Rone became the victim of envy and racial discrimination. 

"DJs thought I was taking their gigs because they specialize only in house music and didn't like the fact that I had tunes that even they didn't have yet. Like some of the commercial house, which even the radio, stations didn't play. True story.”

He said all his Arab friends stopped deejaying because their families frowned upon it. “But my friends said it was okay for me to do it because I was Pakistani. Even my brothers were like ‘we DJ but this is not something serious’ or at least they didn't take it as seriously as I did.”

Rone formed Jaxxma in 2001. “That was a personal project with members Majid Al Farsi a.k.a Majician and Mohammad Darwish a.k.a Gene clash.” He said SKA was the first hip-hop group he was part of and was formed in 1995. “I was their DJ and sometimes rapped with them. It consisted of Mustafa Halwachi a.k.a Glad e hater, Pavan Mukhi a.k.a mc drops now known as 'orifice vulgatron' and Mehdi a.k.a mc moves.

“Those guys left disheartened in the late 90s so then I kept deejaying and formed Jaxxma experimental hip-hop. We were number one and three on broadjams Internet survey website and number one in worldwide downloads and votes.”

Rone talked about the issue of ‘nationalization of deejaying’ in Dubai now and how it affected him. He said nowadays the industry supports locals or preferred nationalities. 

“People keep telling me I am more Arab than anything else. But as an expat, I have to fight to stay here and do music. If this were any other place the people would call us and say you have to represent us/our music scene. Like when you have reggae you call a certain DJ, similarly for hip-hop.”

Rone spoke about the commercial scene and untalented DJs buying followers on Twitter and promoting themselves as something else.  He said it was disappointing to learn that most artists are getting support just for being from a certain race. “Some guys get in to become popular and get female attention. You have to do it for the love of music.”

Rone said artists have to be steadfast. “So many people left the country because they did not get the support.” 

Rone helps upcoming DJs play alongside him at gigs. “I help them get gigs. But I have also heard that the same DJs I trained charge a cheaper price.” His advice to upcoming DJs is to play new music. “It was harder for us back then, in terms of buying music. But back then people respected music more because not everyone had it. Most talented DJs I notice start doing the same thing.” He said there is no issue with DJs being commercial and pop, but they should “be honest about it.”

Rone said he loves being a DJ and the best part about it all is that he is still following his dreams. “It is the key to happiness to do what you love and make a living out of it. Plus since I only do nights, I have time on my hands to do other things in life or spend time with my family and loved ones or work on other music projects.” He said he would love to perform at Times Square, New York, even as a supporting artist for someone like Jay-Z, or deejay their gig.

Giving the example of Jay-Z, Rone believes people should come together and support each other. “That’s how it works. Make a crew. Use social media.”

Rone plays urban, good music, retro, and funky house on his show. He hosts his own radio show called Urban Education on Radio One in Dubai.

Decadent in Abu Dhabi is creating a buzz in the UK and gives you all a chance to listen to real music. Rone plans to drop his new album “YouDontKnowJAXX” in July this year.