Yasmine Hamdan has spent her life running from conflict. Born in 1976, a year after the outbreak of the 15-year Lebanese Civil War, the underground music icon spent much of her adolescence away from her homeland, living in the UAE, Greece and Kuwait – a country her family fled following the 1990 invasion by Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi forces.
For 12 years, the Lebanese singer – who although she lived in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain when she was younger, makes her UAE performance debut in Dubai tomorrow – has lived in near-anonymity in Paris, deliberately stalking what she calls “the margins of society”.
But now that happy life, built alongside her fellow Arab emigree husband, Elia Suleiman – the celebrated Palestinian filmmaker behind Cannes award-winner Divine Intervention – is under threat, as France follows the United Kingdom and the United States into increasing levels of intolerance and populist rhetoric. A little over a year after the Bataclan terrorist attacks in the city, political commentators and analysts are beginning to view the spectre of Marine Le Pen's far-right National Front party as a serious force at the French presidential election in April.
“Things have changed – you feel anxiety in the air, tension,” says Hamdan, refusing to single Paris out in the growing global trend. “It’s worrying. I flew and escaped this kind of tension and drama my whole life and it seems it’s catching me wherever I go.”
Hamdan’s arrival in Paris signalled the end of the most engaging chapter in her career – the eight years she spent as one-half of Soap Kills, the trip-hop-influenced duo she fronted alongside intimate friend Zeid Hamdan, whose haunting, earthy electro-soundscapes first proved Arabic-language indie could be as effecting and inventive as anything produced in the West.
Inspired by the passionate articulation of classic-era vocalists such as Aisha El Marta, Nagat El Saghira and Asmahan, Hamdan’s breathy, intimate invocations – which formed Soapkills’s emotional core – were the sound of the singer rediscovering her homeland.
“I’m of the war generation,” says the 40-year-old. “I lived very much abroad – somehow I’ve always been searching for this place called ‘home’ – but after returning, I could not find it in Lebanon, I could not find it anywhere.
“I was addressing this identity question – roots, belonging, personality ... by singing in Arabic. But I never had the pretension, ambition or desire to sing Arabic the way it should be sung.”
Like countless musical revolutions before it, the Soap Kills legend has been largely written retrospectively. The early underground success of self-produced albums Beta (2001) and Cheftak (2002) led to international interest that never quite developed, including a French record deal that was shelved when the indie label went bankrupt.
“I remember the first time I heard the term ‘world music’ – I felt insulted,” recalls Hamdan. “Me and Zeid came to Paris and started meeting labels. They said: ‘We don’t know where to put you. You’re not world music, but you’re not singing in English or French – you’re strange’.”
After initially trying to maintain the musical relationship across two continents, Soapkills dissolved following 2005's swansong Enta Fen, a mix of new leftover material and remixes.
“I didn’t have the stamina,” Hamdan admits. “I wanted to pursue my own thing – I had desires, ideas I wanted to accomplish, and I needed to be on my own for that.”
It is always lazy to define leading women by the men they work with – but it’s undeniable Hamdan’s two post-Soapkills releases were inspired by the same collaborative principles.
The first, Y.A.S., was spawned following a chance meeting at a "Madonna party" no less – with Mirwais, the Parisian producer who helped the Queen of Pop's sound on albums Music, American Life and Confessions on a Dance Floor. Designed as a rebuke to media stereotypes, the duet LP Arabology was clearly far less collaborative than Hamdan might have hoped.
“I went from the most underground band in the world, to signing with Madonna’s producer and a record label that is extremely mainstream – it was interesting,” Hamdan says. “But I can’t say the record is my record.
“After my experience with Marwais, I realised I needed to be in environment where I’m an equal, or if not, the boss.”
Such an equilibrium was found on Hamden's solo debut, released internationally as Ya Nass in 2013, which was co-written and producer by Marc Collin – best-known as co-founder of kooky French bossa nova covers act Nouvelle Vague (who also performed at Dubai's The Music Room in March). This time, the relationship was sympathetic, respectful and remarkably fruitful – Ya Nass is a diverse and mature set, capturing the emotional intensity of Soapkills's best work, but sympathetically spread over broader electronic and acoustic hues.
Next, Hamdan has gone down “the boss” route, recently wrapping months of gruelling sessions – at studios spread across Hoboken, New Jersey, Beirut, Paris and London – recording a follow-up LP set for release in March. She describes it as the toughest project she has undertaken yet.
“I’ve always had a sense that I am doing something very important, something vital,” she adds.
“It has not been an easy road, and it’s still not – some people are interested in getting things easily, I’ve always liked tough things. I set the bar very high, I’m very tough on myself. Me and myself, that’s where the tension comes in.”
• Yasmine Hamdan performs at The Music Room, Majestic Hotel Tower, on Wednesday, November 7 , advance tickets Dh220 online at www.platinumlist.net
rgarratt@thenational.ae
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Scores in brief:
Day 1
New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38
Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BLACKBERRY
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
MATCH INFO
England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)
Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47
England win by 76 runs
Series level at 2-2
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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