Hitting the high note on radio

Winners of a contest by the Channel 4 network speak of their passion for music and hopes for the future

Video killed the radio star ... not in Dubai it didn't! The radio stars were brought to life in a contest recently hosted by Reef Mall.

The contest was conducted in collaboration with Channel 4 network and their associate channels: 89.1, 104.8 and Al Rabia 107.8.

The contest drew about 2,500 residents who had to be 16 years and above. The contestants recorded their song at a booth set up in the mall. Songs of the semi-finalists and finalists were aired.

I caught up with the three winners at Dome Café, Reef Mall, where a lunch was held after the awards ceremony.

Yousuf Aziz is no stranger to music. The radio star, who hails from Iraq, comes from a family of musicians. Aziz says he heard of the contest through a friend and, after a bit of persuasion, decided to try it out.

When asked whether he expected to win, Aziz says that he had faith in his voice and knew that he would make it to the finals. But, he says, " When you have 2,500 contestants it's not easy!"

The radio star, who holds a Masters Degree in music, says he is inspired by Iraqi singer Mohammad Gubanjee, whose singing style he tries to incorporate in his music.

Aziz refers to Dubai as the centre of the world and says that there couldn't be a better place to start a musical career.

His advice to aspiring singers is to work hard and gain the respect of everyone " Make people listen to you and love you.

Dilip Chander had his headset glued on since he registered at Reef Mall.

Chander fought off 700 other contestants to make it to the finals and says he did not feel under any pressure even when facing a tie- breaker.

This confident man says he deserved to win because he "had what it took". 81.9 FM's radio star is heavily influenced by legendary Indian singer Mohammad Rafi, whose songs he sung during the contest.

Chander enjoys listening to various singing styles as he feels that he can definitely learn something from the versatility of different artists.

"Music is my life," he says. "I am grateful to Reef Mall for giving us this huge platform of opportunity and to the RJ's for their support and encouragement. Thank you all."

Last but definitely not least we have Roopika Nanjappa. This Dubai kid studied in Indian High School and had no formal training in music.

In October 2003 Roopika and another contestant represented the UAE in the World Championships Of Performing Arts in Hollywood in the singing category.

"I came back with a few medals," she says modestly. The 24-year-old software programmer says that she would rather describe herself as "a singer who dabbles in computers".

Roopika emulates her favourite artists, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, and hopes to be as good as them.

When asked if she expected to win she says that all she really wanted to do was sing and just knowing that people were listening to her was rewarding enough.

Though she was not without her fears, Roopika enjoys an audience.

Some of the songs she sang were ‘Woman in love' by Barbra Streisand and ‘Journey to the past' from the cartoon Anastasia. However, Roopika feels that it was really ‘Hero' that did it for her.

"It's a song about strength, one of my favourites and I was very comfortable with it, which is why I chose to sing it at the finals."

When Roopika heard she had won she was dazed. "The most flattering thing I've been told is that people get goose bumps when they hear me sing."

Of the contest Roopika says, "This is an excellent break for us. Being part of the Reef Mall contest itself is a dream come true. Everyone was amazing, I am really grateful."

The winners received prizes from Damas Jewellery, Plug- Ins, Home Centre and Karisma.