Dubai-based artists who made a career in music

Dubai - "I don't regret it for a moment ... It's my life's best decision."

"More than talent, it is perseverance and perseverance that can genuinely make or break a musician," said Dubai-based electronic music producer and DJ Mangal Suvarnan.
Two Dubai-born artists said having a music education definitely gives the artist an edge. Some learn music from a young age after parental influence, while many others pick up the art form entirely on their own, learning from YouTube videos and self-help manuals.
Irshad Azeez, a hip hop MC and co-host of the Dukkan Show, a weekly Podcast on the dukkanshow.com, said he got into music at University of Wollongong in Dubai.
A self-trained musician, he said music is not about making yourself relevant in society. "When you choose art, there is a purpose. You're adding value to society ..."
Suvarnan recently got signed to a Dutch music label. He said leaving the comforts of a marketing job behind and picking a career in music was one of his life's biggest risks. "I don't regret it for a moment ... It's my life's best decision."
He said breaking stereotypical mindsets and pursuing your passion is mostly about being persistent. "The education system needs to teach students to be perseverant ... Even though I used to play the guitar in school, I began producing way after college. If only I had taken it up at a younger age, I would've realised my potential much earlier.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com