Five minutes with DJ Allad

Handout of DJ Allad. Courtesy of People by Crystal Abu Dhabi

DJ Allad traces his journey from college parties to clubs

My first musical memory was when I was a child; my mother would play the radio out loud in the house 24/7, 365 days a year. Sounds of Stevie Wonder, The Gap Band, Earth Wind and Fire, Luther Vandross and any other soul classic jammed the airwaves of our house. My mother was such a lover of music that she just kept us around it. Who would think that it would turn into a passion of mine?

The first two albums I bought seems to be a question that often comes up in interviews and I laugh at this question because my wife thinks it is simply hilarious that I ever thought to purchase these albums. The first Album I ever purchased was Vanilla Ice's To the Extreme and Wu Tang Clan's Enter The Wu Tang Clans 36 Chambers Album. These two albums were so farfetched that they deserve a laugh or two.

My first ever live set brings back memories. It was in college at an campus party where my master teacher DJ Sicari Ware had double booked an event and could not do the campus party so he sent me in to do the job. This was extremely nerve wrecking because my bedroom mixing would be heard for the first time in front of 300 screaming college students. Let's just say it turned out to be a teachable lesson that helped me perfect my blends.

My live shows now are Women Crush Tuesdays at People by Crystal Abu Dhabi; Soul Saadiyat Beach Club, Roof Top Rhythms Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Versus Saadiyat Beach Club, Js Entertainments Monthly Events, Pink Friday and Old schooled Fairmont Abu Dhabi.

My favourite musician is Robert Glasper as a whole. I also love Common, The Roots, Jill Scott, Foreign Exchange, Bilal, Erykah Badu and Esperanza Spalding. They are all amazing artists that keep me sane and relaxed outside of rocking in the Clubs.

A song I wish I wrote would be Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. This song speaks to the world in a way that questions media norms as well as stereotypes and is well put together. Simply put this is an amazing creation by brother Marvin.

DJ Allad performs tonight at Women Crush Tuesdays at People by Crystal Abu Dhabi. For details visit www.facebook.com/PeoplebycrystalAbuDhabi