Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Celebrated Sudanese-American rapper Oddisee will perform at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) on May 28. The rapper has been influenced by jazz, funk, hip-hop, and go-go music of his DC area roots. He will be accompanied by DJ Unown in a show that will open with a live appearance by Jindi, who dives deep into the sounds of Afro-Sudanese, a sub-genre of music that mixes Afrobeat with the Sudanese dialect.
Long celebrated as a deep-thinking emcee who delivers a masterclass in lyricism, Oddisee explores human ambition, posing the question: “How far are you willing to go, and why?” Drawing from the stark inequity he experienced early in life, Oddisee tackles the human condition with unwavering conviction and candour, merging diverse elements into his hip-hop rooted production. Career successes include a string of successful albums, tours, and streams in the hundred-millions.
Likewise, Jindi crosses cultural borders by incorporating stories into each of his songs, mixing different genres from funk to dancehall to Afrobeat, in music that connects globally. The performance features music from his new album, ‘’Reign & Fire” in a culturally rich event that introduces local and international audiences alike to talents from the region. It also aligns with The Arts Center’s mission to bring regional talent to the forefront.
Commenting on the programme, Executive Artistic Director at The Arts Center at NYUAD Bill Bragin said: “It is great to have Oddisee return to The Arts Center. We presented a virtual concert with him during the pandemic and are thrilled to finally host him live on our stage, along with one of the UAE’s leading Sudanese artists, Jindi.
“Jindi has been part of Numoo – The Arts Center’s programme that fosters the growth of performers in the UAE and contributes to the development of the nation’s arts ecosystem – and has been a leading ambassador of the UAE’s grassroots scene to global stages. And with the partnership of Sole and Lamatna, we hope to see the hip-hop and Sudanese communities of the UAE in full effect,” Bragin added.
Prior to the show, on May 27 at 6:30pm at the NYUAD Gallery Reading Room, Oddisee will lead a talk that focuses on the DIY entrepreneurial approach to building his career, which has been his hallmark as an independent artist. Instead of pursuing record deals and executives, Oddisee has taken the less-travelLed path, streamlining elements of the industry early on, from single-handedly recording, producing, and mixing his music to steering his marketing strategy and tour runs. He launched his own label Outer Note Label in 2020.
In this presentation and audience Q&A, Oddisee will cover some of the essential keys to artistic independence: building a brand, identifying markets, booking shows by yourself, developing relationships with promoters, and running your own label.
