Harmonies from SOUNDSTORM.

Director of XP Conference

Nada Alhalabi

With a background in sound treatment, Nada is paving the way for many in the music industry. She is not only passionate about music, but she has seen personally the positive impact it can have on others. She feels lucky to be a woman in the music industry. The lack of women in the music industry is palpable throughout the Middle East and around the world, especially when the industry is undergoing massive upheavals. “Representation is vital, and I am thrilled to be making a difference by implementing modifications and new ways,” she says.

Nada urges female creatives interested in working in music to be a part of the industry’s shift. “Of course, there will be hurdles along the way, but we’ll be there to support and encourage people to keep going” She stated that at XP, we would be discussing women in music as one of their primary subjects under their pillar data, policy, and advocacy, researching the benefits of having a diverse music business.

The message that Nada wishes to convey by her participation in the XP Conference reflects her inspiring personality. She believes that young people in Saudi Arabia represent the kingdom’s future. “Dream big, work hard, be patient, keep modest, and seek to
learn constantly.”

Meet The Storm Chasers

Let’s peek into the musical minds of this year’s MDLBEAST Soundstrom lineup to understand what makes their rhythm flow.

Got the groove

Dj Baloo

DJ Baloo is one of the visionaries behind the creative team at MDLBEAST. He has been a music aficionado since he was a child. He never expected to have the chance to play in Saudi, as he had intentions to play regionally in Beirut, Dubai, and Bahrain.

“The music scene in Saudi has grown at a steady pace to become what it is. Baloo added, The music culture in this city is raw, full of passion and originality, yet it is fractured, and it is on its way to becoming a cohesive, sizzling, bursting at the seams scene.”

DJ Baloo emphasized the XP music conference and its importance. He said, ‘event firms, government agencies, entrepreneurs, stage, fashion, and graphic designers, so many professionals will connect. As a result, new chances will be created along with the new economy and ecology that generates employment.”

Baloo spoke about SOUNDSTORM, which he claims will allow everyone to be themselves, causing societal transformations, increasing interest in public performance, and providing possibilities for the music ecosystem.

Dj Baloo’s inspiration behind making music is that he enjoys spreading joy, and I can see it on people’s faces when I perform. “I play and compose music because I want to dance.”

Creative Cosmicat

Cosmicat

Nouf, also known as Cosmicat, is an incredible artist who was born with a fantastic ear and acquired a passion for collecting, learning, and creating music as a child. Cosmicat began with no prior musical instruction or expertise and only a sense of rhythm. She was always a part of the local underground DJ culture, which piqued her interest in the profession by allowing her to idolize DJs such as Vinyl mode, Baloo, Dessert fish, and Dish Dash.

Nouf explained that the creative community in Saudi Arabia is enormous and that everyone has access to all resources. That›s how she learned all she knows by researching online and then applying it by adding her magic to it. MDLBEAST, she said, is a beautiful celebration to share that promotes the local community and the genre of music around the world.

Her first performance was highly inspiring. “I was nervous, couldn’t look up at the crowd for more than a few seconds, sweating in January, but had a tremendous adrenaline rush instantly after seeing the crowd’s support,” she said of her participation in a cultural exchange event with guest German female musicians. Despite her extensive stage experience, she adores her audience; her most recent performance was in a battlefield tech zone, attracting many teenage and young visitors.

Dj’ Duo

Dish Dash

Hassan and Abbas both grew up in a musical family where music was a lifestyle for everyone. As a result, they began attending many events and developed an interest in electronic music. Even though the DJ scene was not as big, they mostly listened to western performers who sparked their passion for music.

Since its debut edition in 2019, they feel MDLBEAST has been generating enthusiasm in the local music business that is culturally evolving. The festival offers like-minded people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dance and listen to phenomenal music. Plus, as MDLBEAST aims to do, it›s always nice to see local talent share their ideas with the world.

Music production and DJing began as a hobby for the DJs a few years ago, which they began doing in front of others.

“We’re inspired by different people, different places, and different emotions. Portraying the authentic Saudi sound is one of the most critical aspects of our music-making. We try to showcase our heritage and culture with a modern electronic twist.”

Their favorite stage memory is performing in front of a large crowd on a massive stage in their homeland“We’re pleased we got a chance to be among the huge lineup at MDL Beast 2019” they enthused.

Saudi in The City

Saz Aka SAÜD

Saz has always been a music fanatic, inspired by the local underground DJ community, and this has always pushed him to both produce and connect with those behind the Saudi music industry.

When we asked Saz what he thought about being a part of SOUDNSTORM2021, he responded, “I feel MDLbeast helped bring this already existent community together in one global music platform and undoubtedly helped push local artists to develop and play among the greatest names in the music business today.” His best stage moment was performing for the first time in front of his fans from his home of Saudi Arabia during the first edition of White Oasis & MDL Beast. In the future, he would want to collaborate with his favorite musicians, Mihai, Dennis
Ferrer, Apolonia, and Traumer, and combine his music style with theirs.

Saz enjoys expressing music to the audience and can’t wait to see you all at this year’s SOUNDSTORM.

Flying Free

Birdperson

Lujain, better known by her stage name Birdperson, is a filmmaker by profession who is a huge Doors fan and is heavily influenced by Jim Morrison. She further said that music has been a big part of her life since she was a kid and that it has grown through the years. MDLBEAST has developed a forum for young underground local musicians like herself who have seen the rise of electronic music in Saudi.

She added how MDLBEAST is developing a vital mechanism through their record label to connect all of the great individuals in the country, allowing the music scene to grow.

Lujain is a quick learner, and through photographing her DJ buddies at every party, she gained the desire to become a DJ. She began to compose new songs to create sensations that motivated her. “My music is usually motivated by how I feel and my mood at the time,” she says. My love for films inspires my music; every set I mix has a narrative, a sentiment, and an expression.”

Her first performance was filled with emotions, but she was ecstatic. When she overcame her nervousness, it gave her confidence. “A lot of times, to overcome the fear and shift your state of mind, you have to challenge yourself and do crazy things that are beyond your usual comfort zone,” she added.

A New Musical Universe

Spaceboi

Adnan, Popularly known as Spaceboi, is an outstanding multitasker with extraordinary and inspiring talents. He learned about DJing and music production via online YouTube lessons, but he recently attended training online from an instructor in London.

Adnan is exceptionally fortunate to have had someone who supported him during his first performance, about four years ago when he was getting into the DJing scene. As he was contacting venues to play, his girlfriend suggested contacting the organizer of a small popup market that was generally happening in Bahrain and was interested in his mix. That night, he played for six hours straight. He would have given up DJing a long time ago if it hadn’t been for his fiancée, who is soon to be his wife.

Adnan is excited to see artists like Hats & Klaps in Saudi and hopes to work with them; he considers their devotion to their sound and production technique incredibly motivating.

Spceboi enjoys connecting with the audience when playing, and he enjoys engaging with people through his music. His favorite moment is when he plays music that he knows the audience isn›t anticipating and surprises them. He claims that comedians do the same thing.

Majid’s Magic

Majid

Majid has been performing music since early 2009, beginning his journey in the United States.  Being self-taught and meeting DJs willing to share their skills with him was the pivotal experience that led him to music. “Passion goes a long way when learning a
new talent.”

He has always been passionate about music and liked to discover, collect, and share music from an early age. In his own words, “I was always very interested and keen on supporting, pushing and introducing people to the magic and power of music.”

Majid loves being on the stage; he ecstatically shares with us his favorite stage memory, “it was definitely when my father came to see me play and recorded me with his phone. It was something I had never seen him do before.”

He is currently also an active part of the MDLBEAST, saying that, “They (MDLBEAST) are playing an essential role in identifying and advancing local talent, which they are doing this year through the XP conference. In the future, Majid would love to work with big international names that inspire him, like Dubfire, Danny Howells, Louie Vega, Moodymann, Delano Smith, and Herodot. Adding that “local artists, Baloo, Vinylmode, and Dish Dash are a considerable inspiration to many of us.”

In the right

Zone

Zayed, who goes by his stage name Zone+ has always adored playing for a crowd,  especially in Saudi. He most especially loves to share his music with them and the rest of the world.

This year, his association with MDLBEAST and being a part of the SOUNDSTORM will be pretty intriguing. He’s especially excited to see people enjoying, getting together, making music, and learning about what MDLBESAST has to offer.

He always wanted to be part of a band and play music. With music production software, he got to achieve his dream. He created music individually, like a one-person band with software like Ableton, which helped him express his music.

His first performance as a DJ was wonderful; he was anxious but felt compelled to offer the most exemplary music possible. “I really didn›t know if I performed well or not, but everyone was pleased, and it made me understand afterwards that I get this sensation in every event because I always want to create the greatest vibe and party for everyone who comes out, which motivates me to do his best,” he explained.

The soundtrack to the soul

K.LED

K.LED’s primary motivation for creating music and fueling his journey is to discover, create, and share sounds and music as producers and electronic music performers. His return to the nation taught him the Saudi music culture in a private and personal context, where there was room to rehearse and develop among seasoned and like-minded artists.

Following his ambition in Saudi, with a passion for sound and music, K.LED is exceptionally fortunate to have discovered himself as an electronic music producer.

K.LED is enthusiastic about SOUNDSTORM this year and feels that MDLBEAST is playing an essential part in changing the entertainment business in Saudi Arabia by bringing music fans together and recognizing and promoting local talent. “MDLBEAST is undoubtedly making a lot of people’s aspirations a living reality, including mine,” he added.

K.LED’s music career began with a fascination and enthusiasm for music and sound design whereas DJing started in his teenage years.

When questioned about his most significant stage moment, he stated it was the first time he played on SOUNDSTORM 2019.

Danish Flair at the Storm

MORTEN

MORTEN was born and raised in Denmark but now resides in Miami. He is heavily influenced by the underground dance music culture and co-founded “Future Rave” with David Guetta in 2019. MORTEN and DAVID, the dynamic duo have been friends for many years; in 2019, they began composing music together and have strived to develop music ever since.

“We wanted to develop our own perspective on the dance scene and build a trend,” he added.

We spoke with MORTEN about the motivation behind Future Rave and the New Rave EP with David Guetta. He says, “We are highly influenced by the underground dance culture and are devoted to bringing that sound and vibe into our more mainstream environment.” He added, “The indie producers from Scandinavia back in the early 2000s also inspired us a lot in our music,”

Furthermore, we discussed his visit to the country for SOUNDSTORM and his followers in Saudi Arabia. “You have no idea how delighted I am! I can’t wait to play my music for the fans there and introduce them to “Future Rave” MORTEN said. Their imaginative thinking is inspired by their love of the music they wish to play on their sets. They are creating  “Future Rave” for fans and DJs to appreciate the music as much as they do.