Showbiz Arabia chats to Tamer Hosni

Last weekend, Tamer Hosni returned to Dubai to make his first live appearance in the emirate in over a year at the Dubai World Trade Centre. And tabloid! was the only media outlet invited to interview the Egyptian megastar hours before his show, which saw him perform alongside the likes of David Vendetta and Kurd Maverick.

A lot has taken place in Hosni’s life in the past year; not only has the singer been busy launching his international career — his first English/Arabic single, Smile (featuring Shaggy) has received nearly 7 million views on YouTube – he also released his 9th studio album, Bahebak Enta two months ago. In between, he got married and even recently celebrated the birth of his first child with wife Moroccan singer, Bassma Boussel. Here he talks about his family life, music and more.

Your last appearance in the UAE was back in November in Abu Dhabi, but you haven’t been back in Dubai for a while…

It has been about a year and a half since I have been to Dubai. I like visiting every one to two years in order to keep coming back with a fresh new show. I don’t want my fans to get bored.

For your latest gig, you’ve introduced an all-new type of show. Tell us more about it.

There’s a new technology that’s being introduced in the industry — and Dubai’s the first city we’re using it on stage — the first time in the Middle East. It’s called 3D mapping, and it’s a type of visual effect that shows interaction between the performer and other artists with him on screen. I had been studying it and rehearsing for a very long time ahead of the Dubai show.

What made you decide to bring it to the region?

I am always into looking at what’s popular worldwide — I research what theatres across the world are using, because I like stepping up my game and bringing them to the Arab world. It’s important for a stage to evolve and have a production of great quality. I don’t want to be like a lot of artists who just stand there and sing for three hours; production needs to be unique and inventive.

Do you have any rituals before getting on stage?

No, none. I am quite a homebody by nature, but particularly so prior to a live show. I stay at home, because I want to avoid getting sick — a cold is bad for the voice.

You’ve been pretty busy recording both Arabic and English music. And you’ve just released Bahebak Enta. What’s the news on your international record?

After the Arabic album, I travelled abroad because as you know I have some deals with international artists. It’s not really an album anymore, because we feel it will be better to release the songs as singles. It’s now becoming a trend to release singles anyway, so while we talked about an album, as well as a mini album, we decided it’d be better to release tracks one-by-one. In the Arab world, my main fans prefer an album because they’re used to that. However, when I am being presented to the West, it’s better to focus on one song. People don’t know who I am.

So far you have released one track. Were you not worried you’d be alienated a percentage of fans that prefer Arabic music?

That’s why I released the Arabic album first before focusing on the international project — and I’d like to think that my fans would be encouraging this step rather than criticise me. It’s an attempt to promote the Arab world in a positive way. I have never claimed that I am huge in the West — I am very aware of my limits. However, I am hoping that this is a step in the right direction. And we’re also getting those international artists involved. For instance, you won’t believe what Snoop Dogg is going to be wearing in the video for Si Sayed. And then I convinced Akon to sing a verse in Arabic in the track we did together.

Who else are you going to be working with?

-There’s a track with Pitbull called Arabian Night; I’ve also collaborated with Kurd Maverick — he is a very successful German DJ — plus, I am looking at a possible collaboration with David Vendetta.

Do you get to decide which artists appear on the songs?

It’s a joint decision between the record company and I — we look at who is suitable to work with me. Every song has a purpose, so we need to find influential people who are willing to give anything a go like dressing traditionally or saying something in Arabic. For Snoop Dogg to sing in Arabic is a milestone.

Speaking of Snoop, a teaser video for Si Sayed was released last year, but the full video never made it out. What happened?

When the snippet first came out on YouTube, it was meant to release straight after, but when the plans changed, I decided to release the Arabic album first, because I didn’t want bombard my fans with too much international music right away. So the Arabic record released in April – and I had spent two years working on the tracks and perfecting them, so I did dedicate a lot to it — and thank God, it has received record listens on my website. So now the next step is to release that track, which will probably be after Ramadan.

You’re very active on your social media channels — is it you who posts?

My relationship with my fans is that of friendship. I like reading their comments and answering their questions. Of course I have a team that help me, but at the end of the day, I mainly control it. My official outlets on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are that of /TamerHosny – those are my official ones!

You have been singing way before social media came into play. Do you think it’s a plus for an artist?

It helps them but also harms them. The internet has its pros and cons. The pros are amazing for a singer’s career, but the cons is that it becomes anyone’s right to interfere in your private life or spread rumours about you.

What else do you have coming up? Any films or TV shows in the works?

As soon as I return to Egypt, I’ll be working on a film. It’s an action movie and going to be completely different from any other movie I have ever done – a bit like [the TV series] Adam, which was also a story and character I had never taken on before. I am trying to broaden my horizons. I have actually lost a lot of weight and changed the shape of my body in preparation for this upcoming role.

Have you chosen your leading lady?

No, I haven’t decided who else I will be co-starring with.

And what about touring?

Well, I just finished Doha, now Dubai, then I am off to Morocco on 1 June for the Mawazine Festival. Additionally, I am in talks with the international artists that I am working with for some special shows and appearances.

Finally, you recently celebrated the birth of your baby girl Thalia. Being a new dad, what’s the most difficult thing you’ve discovered about fatherhood?

When I was travelling before, I focused solely on my work— all my emotions were with me. But now, when I go to work, I feel that my heart isn’t with me. It’s a very difficult feeling being away and missing my daughter and wife. I always want to check on them and make sure that they are okay. A lot of things change – now I feel my only priority in life is my daughter. Before, it used to be all about me — all about achieving success in my career for myself. But now, it’s different— I want to achieve the same success; but I want to do it for my daughter.

NIBs

The first season of X Factor Arabia is now over, and while Wael Kafouri’s future on the show is in doubt, there’s little chance his counterpart Hussain Al Jasmi will face the axe after leading the over 25s to victory.

The Emirati singer coached the top two final acts in the competition: Mohammed Al Rifi won, while teammate Ebrahim Abdul Athem came second.

Speaking after the live finale, Hussain said: “It was clear he Mohammad had the X Factor, as he is unique and special — he possesses diverse Arabic singing abilities, ranging from Egyptian to Moroccan. He is a new star in the Arab world.”

Sandy is set to appear on the big screen this summer. The Egyptian singer is in the midst of filming her first role for the movie, Khetat Jimmy, which will be released in Egypt after Ramadan.

Directed by Tamer Bassiouny, the drama, which is currently being shot at the American University in Cairo, also stars Lotfy Labib, Islam Jamal, Sami Maghawry and Jana.

To prepare for the role, Sandy is said to have consulted American film director and cinematographer, Aaron Platt, who has previously worked with OneRepublic and Nicole Scherzinger.

AO

“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. #quote”

-Lebanese singer Elissa (‏@elissakh)

“So sad for #Adham! But this is the game of @XFactorArabia”

-Lebanese singer and Elissa’s fellow judge on XFactor, Carole Samaha (@Carole_Samaha)