UAE: Singer Aziz Abdo on his new track, working with Zayn Malik and kicking off a new era in Dubai

Award-winning Swedish-Lebanese singer Aziz Abdo recently launched his “comeback single” Chou ser li bik in Dubai and calls it a “great summer anthem”. Aziz is famous for combining Arab music with a Latin flair and has made a mark on the music scene since the early 2000s, releasing crowd favourites like Jaw Jnoun and Enty Tsharrafi.

Aziz continues to produce original music, also collaborating with international artists like Zayn (he co-wrote the track Too Much produced by Timbaland). He’s also branching out into Bollywood, having contributed music to a Vidyut Jammwal film now playing in UAE cinemas.

A model, actor and former ‘Mr. Lebanon’ winner, Aziz hopes his new song strikes a chord and adds to his fanbase. The official music video for Chou ser li bik has over 200,000 views so far.

The track is currently part of the Al Rabia FM 107.8 and Star FM playlist; it’s also on major music streaming platforms.

The Dubai resident spoke to City Times about what inspired his latest track and his love for Dubai.

What can you tell us about your new track Chou ser li bik?

I believe Chou ser li bik is the perfect comeback track! The song is a great summer anthem and has everything characteristic to my signature sound (it feels like I never left).

I also can’t believe how well received it is in the region! Both the track and the video are being played across radio stations and clubs across the region…what more could I ask for?

How does it feel to have launched the track in Dubai?

Honestly, it feels amazing. Everyone can agree that the UAE feels like the centre of the world right now. Following Expo 2020 Dubai, this country really has become the epicentre of progress, success and the future, and I truly believe even greater things are going to sprout from here.

I’m also proud to call Dubai my home, so it only seemed fitting that I start my new era here as well.

You blend Arabic music with a Latin flair. What are the early musical influences that led you towards this fusion of styles?

Since I was a young kid I’ve always been drawn to Latin music. I just love everything about it; the way it moves you and just compels you to dance! Ricky Martin was a huge influence for me growing up and I think everyone can agree that when any of his songs came on, the energy you felt was unbelievable.

That’s why I wanted my signature sound to marry the performative electricity of Latin music with the poetry of the Arabic language.

Who are some of the international music artists whose work you admire?

Well to start with, the incomparable king of pop, Michael Jackson. Michael’s influence didn’t just affect me, but the whole region as well growing up. I don’t think anyone had ever seen someone perform and sing the way he did…actually, I still haven’t seen it.

Similarly, I love a lot of Latin pop artists like Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez and of course, Ricky Martin.

What was it like working with Zayn and Timbaland on Too Much?

Working with Timbaland was a dream come true! The man is a legend, and honestly a wonderful mentor as well. He was one of the first major artists to believe in me and actually encouraged me to move to the United States. To say the man is a genius is an understatement and I guess his unparalleled career as a producer is proof of that.

Similarly with Zayn, for someone so young, he was both so professional and creatively charged. We clicked right away and have planned to do a lot more together in the industry.

I’ve always been fascinated with Bollywood so it’s very exciting for me to be a part of it. I have provided a background track for Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2 - Agni Pariksha. I also have some hush-hush acting projects coming up as well a whole host of new songs. Look out for a lot of surprises!