Mariam Nihal
Saudi Gazette
“I am here to inspire a whole new generation.”
JEDDAH – Saudi EDM Producer and DJ Omar Basaad will be the first Saudi to perform at Creamfields this year in Abu Dhabi on December 13th. Basaad will be performing along huge headliners, electronic music The Prodigy, Calvin Harris, Above and Beyond, Disclosure and many more at du Arena in Yas Island.
Basaad spoke to Saudi Gazette in an exclusive interview. He said, “It feels amazing to be one of the firsts.” He is currently planning things for 2014, which includes a huge collaboration with an international artist. “As we speak, I am getting ready for my next single. It is a big dance floor track with vocals. I have great things coming along next year.” Omar is on a journey to showcase his talent and perform internationally, in a bid to represent Saudi Arabia’s art scene and to inspire emerging artists. “I would love to perform in Ultra Music Festival, EDC and Tomorrow World. Too much to ask?” He said he feels responsible to cultivate the music scene in the region and represent EDM in the region.
When asked about what he wished could change in the Middle East’s music industry, he highlighted the calibrated view of the masses and said talent should be re-positioned to its actual genesis.
“Well, if I start talking right now, it will turn into a book. I have so much to say. But one of the things would be a different perspective. Rather than having our friends on board, why not have the whole nation on board? You see the industry in the region is so divided by bad talent and good connections that land them major gigs or deals.
“Between amazing and okay talent, okay gets the deal because of connections. Same nationalities support their own kind; there is no consistency in talent or their supporters here. It’s either you are close friends with the guys or you have the same passport color or money. The weird thing is you need to make a hit aboard to get recognized here. And that’s about how odd things are here. My advice to those who run the show is, don’t underestimate your audience!”
Discussing success and becoming a young, influential figure in Saudi Arabia, Basaad talked about the influence on his generation. “You see, success is a word that everyone likes to use because it’s a grand word that defines the luxury of a person’s status. But you can’t actually measure success subjectively. I mean, maybe success to me is lifting a pen. My point is we have amazing generation half of which grew up on YouTube. This generation is more aware and exposed to lots of things. I always see them trying to innovate things or getting inspired by my work. I am not here to just make music and leave or just got hyped by the scene I am here to inspire a whole new generation.”
When asked if there is a mantra for success, he discussed the significance of an artist’s image in the region. “Well here is the thing about image. “Every now and then a burger shop opens and you always prefer the new place even if it is the same burger. It is about how they sold you the image of the product showing you consumers don’t really care a lot about certain things, but it’s the way it is delivered.” He said that’s the marketing perspective of ‘’image sells’’ but talent is a measure of sustainability. So what keeps him going? “Music means everything to me. What keeps me going is the passion I have for it!”
