Habib Elyasi is busy spreading the Eid cheer. After a performance at the Al Ain Municipality Theatre last night, the singer dubbed The Nightingale of the UAE brings his blend of traditional and regional-flavoured pop to the du Forum tonight as part of the Abu Dhabi Summer Season festival. Fans will also get a chance to hear his latest single, the Emirati-Turkish fusion Hikaya. "It will be exciting," he says. "It is a new style and it's something you don't hear a lot of on the radio."
How big a deal is it for an Arab artist to perform during Eid?
It is definitely something to look forward to, obviously as Eid is a very special occasion. There is normally such a great atmosphere at these shows and everyone is happy. For any artist it is a great feeling, because it is a chance to perform on these blessed days in front of your fans.
You will be performing your new single, Hikaya, tonight. It’s really interesting in that you mix both Turkish and Emirati music styles together. How did the concept come about?
The idea for the song came two months ago. The lyrics were written with Murhad Al Hess and I wrote the melodies. What I wanted to do was try to blend Emirati and Turkish music together. Once we did that, I found we created this really new, fresh sound. Both are percussive forms and can be of a high tempo. The song is danceable and is definitely one for the youths.
Is the song indicative of your new album, which is out later in the year?
In a way, yes, because the album will be of a totally different style than my normal work. This time around, I am working on songs that have different Arab styles ranging from Lebanese to Egyptian and Moroccan. The goal of this album is to reach out to as many people from the Arab world as I can.
You are doing quite well singing Khaleeji pop. What made you switch things up for the next album?
It comes from wanting to explore new avenues. You know, I have been doing this now for about 15 years and through my career I did songs here and there in different styles and accents. Now, with this new album, it will be totally dedicated to new styles and it will be a new challenge for me. I am really looking forward to it.
You are also renowned for your Emirati folk songs. How important is that to you?
That will always be part of my work. I do this because I am following what the father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed, said to future generations of Emiratis. He said that we have to honour and remember our traditions, from poetry to songs. I feel that it is my responsibility as an Emirati artist to contribute to that in whatever way I can.
Do you sometimes worry that the significance of these songs will be lost by future generations?
Not at all, because these songs are close to us. They are from our communities and our neighbourhoods. We know the songs intimately, so there is always going to be a positive response to them.
Veteran singer Hussain Al Jassmi proved there is a big market for Emirati songs in the Arab world. Why is it that we have not seen another Emirati artist, from this generation, reach his superstar stature?
I can’t point to one direct reason, all I can say is that it is really up to the artist themselves. You have to work hard and keep developing yourself. There are some artists out there who pop up each year with a new song. Even if it’s popular, that is not enough to sustain a career. You have to always keep working and be careful of falling into laziness.
More than a year ago you were dubbed The Nightingale of the UAE by the famed Emirati poet Rashid Sharar. How do you feel about such a show name?
That was a great feeling and now that name has become my official title. I am very proud of it, but at the same time I am very aware of the responsibility that it entails. I think about that in terms of how I steer my career and the songs and projects that I embark on.
• Habib Elyasi performs tonight at the du Forum, Yas Island at 8pm. Tickets start at Dh75 from www.ticketmaster.ae. For more details on Abu Dhabi Summer Season shows, visit abudhabisummerseason.ae
