If you live in the Gulf, you probably wake up to this man – even if you have no idea what DJ Bliss actually looks like
“I’m lovin it at the moment,” he says, trying to sound enthusiastic about another 5am start. At least DJ Bliss, born and raised in the Emirates, knows that there are distinct advantages: it’s not hotter than Hades with central heating left on, and the traffic doesn’t make you want to skateboard to work. Radio 1’s breakfast show DJ is more used to early mornings of a different kind, though. The former Trilogy resident runs two monthly nights at MIX, where his Hip-Hop and R&B blend has the locals bumping and grinding until sunrise. With a host of international appearances and celeb parties on his resume, he has also released a compilation CD called The Projects – which, for a Dubai native, might be more about life in a mixed-use residential complex than a failed urban housing ghetto. thats our guess.
NOX: What in the career of DJ Bliss excites you most right now?
DJ Bliss: Its a combination of my shows on Radio 1 and DJ'ing. But I’m travelling a lot more this year which ma is a great experience. I just did Thailand last month. I’m going back for some more gigs there as well as Hong Kong, Singapore and China.
NOX: How is the Radio 1 show Real Flava going... how long can you do the early starts?
DJB: The Real Flava show is going great and it’s now at a point where its of international standards and there are plans on podcasting and syndicating the shows to other countries. The early starts are tough, I’m not gonna lie. But within 10 minutes, I forget all about early starts.
NOX: You've DJ-ed at a lot of the celeb show after-parties... which had the best-looking crowd?
DJB: It had to be the Destiny's Child After party. I also played at a party with Mos Def and special guest Jesse Metcalf from Desperate Housewives, you can imagine what kind of crowd showed up there.
NOX: What new clubs should we be looking out for?
DJB: Since Trilogy shut down, it’s hard to say. Clubs are like fashion clothing in Dubai, with new ones opening up all the time. One new club to watch out for is in the capital Abu Dhabi at the Emirates Palace Hotel.
NOX: Is there a tune/track that you absolutely love that, for whatever reason, the crowd just never gets into?
DJB: Not really. I play for the people. On the flip side of that a song that people love that I don't like playing is “Crank that Soulja Boy”... Eghhhh.
NOX: What is the hottest track on your turntable right now?
DJB: Its a new one by the Ying Yang Twins called “Drop”. It hasn't made it big yet but I’m hoping it does. Great club and radio track.
NOX: The weather is warming up nicely across the Middle East right now... what do you recommend for the ultimate poolside playlist?
DJB: Ooh… I’d start of with DJ Jazzy Jeff’s “Summertime”, then go into some soul, like Maxwell, D'angello, Jill Scatt), then RnB like Ne-Yo, Next and 112, and maybe soulful house.
