Showbiz Arabia: Up close with Mourad Bouriki

Since winning the debut season of The Voice Middle East in December, it has been a whirlwind few months for Mourad Bouriki. The young star-in-the-making – who was mentored by Lebanese singer Assi Al Helani during the programme – has gone from unknown local singer to one adored by thousands. And now the wait is over for the fans that voted him as Season One’s champion; Mourad’s debut single, Ya Sayidaty has just hit the airwaves.

To celebrate his first track post-The Voice, which he recorded with international producer RedOne, Mourad jetted in to Dubai for a party thrown by Universal Music. Here he talks to Tabloid! about his journey so far.

-Welcome to Dubai! Is this your first time in the UAE?

-No, I have been here once before. It was after I won The Voice. I came here on holiday, so it was more for leisure than anything else, but I also did some work. This is my second time here.

-So you’re visiting to launch your debut single. Tell us more about it.

-It’s called Ya Sayidaty – it’s my very first single and first music video as well. I worked on it with the international producer RedOne. Recording a song with RedOne was part of the grand prize of winning The Voice, and it was an honour to work with him. He usually works with artists from the West and it was the first time he worked on something that is in the classical Arabic language.

-With RedOne originally being from Morocco, I bet he was happy a fellow Moroccan won The Voice?

-Of course! And in terms of communication, I encountered no problems with him – a lot of people had questioned whether I’d have issues with him due to the fact he works with American artists while I sing tarab, but he is very professional and easy to work with. In fact, we’re now looking at a few potential projects to work on together in the future.

-Does he speak Arabic?

-Yes. He speaks in Arabic, but in the Moroccan dialect.

-But were you not at all worried that now he works on international music, he wouldn’t “get” tarab?

-Not at all; before he moved to the United States, he lived in Morocco and comes from a Moroccan family, so he is very familiar with tarab music, and is a fan of that genre. And personally, I feel that music has no borders – it’s not about which country it comes from. For instance, you see some Arab artists singing in English better than some English artists do. Music is the language of the world. I am against that you should sing according to your nationality.

-Tell us a little more about the music video.

-It was my first time doing one, and it was a lot of hard work. We spent a whole day shooting in Lebanon. It was a very good experience that was useful and I look forward to repeating it. I hope people enjoy the video and the song!

-So what are your plans for your album?

-It’s due out soon, we’re still finishing it and it’s scheduled to be completed after Ramadan. I have tried mixing it up with different dialects and I really hope that the fans enjoy it.

-Now that The Voice is over, are you still in touch with Assi Al Helani?

-Yes, of course. To me Mr Helani is a highly respectable artist and is one of my role models, despite the fact that we work on different styles of music. It was an honour to be mentored by him. We speak on the phone nearly every day, and I always take his opinion on every small or large issue to do with the record. Even though he is tremendously busy, he is always there for me.

-How has your life changed since winning the show?

-I have gone from being an amateur singer to one that’s more professional. And obviously, I take more care of my work and of course, it has been exciting becoming the first Arab artist to be signed with Universal Music.

-Do you have any plans for any live shows this year?

-I have a lot of concerts scheduled, including in Palestine and Qatar.

-Will it be the first time you see your fans since winning?

-Yes, it will be, and I hope they enjoy the shows, and I live up to their expectation!

-Finally, social media played a huge role during the voting stage in The Voice. Do you use it to stay in touch with fans?

-Yes I use Facebook and twitter and stay in touch with my fans. I like being close to them personally – I don’t have somebody doing it for me. I like listening to what my fans have to say and make a note of anything I should look out for. My official Facebook is mouradbourikiofficiel and my Twitter handle is bourikimourad.

NIBs

Dorra has hit back at rumours suggesting she’s hooked up with Wust El Balad frontman Hany Adel.

Arab news reports have revealed that the Tunisian actress released a statement to select media, informing them that she is still very much single following her split from her former businessman fiancé. It seems that pair were linked together due to the fact they’re starring opposite each other in upcoming romantic comedy, Fares Ahlam.

“Hani and I appear in a film together, but our interaction doesn’t go beyond the film scenes. It’s rather disappointing that people just want to make up things about my personal life,” Dorra said.

But other media outlets are suggesting that it is the film’s camp that started the rumour in order to drum up publicity for the film ahead of its release this Eid.

ARABIA ONLINE

“Thanks for all ur beautiful comments on my #episode and #fusion #song with @official_flo”

-Lebanese singer and Coke Studio participant Myriam Fares (‏@myriamfares)

“#twoweekstogo #arabsgottalentseason3 #auditions Did you miss us?”

-Lebanese presenter Raya Abirached (@rayascoop)