Read and listen: D-BELL tunes his book into music
D-BELL is an 18-year-old composer, producer, audio engineer and songwriter, based in Dubai. He spent the last couple of years working on something what he calls truly unique — the music project, Intersection. 'It's not just an album; it's a complete universe of sound, story, and philosophy,' D-BELL says. 'Each song on the album is directly connected to a chapter of a fantasy novel that I wrote myself; so everything in this project is entirely my creation, from the music to the book.'
He adds that 'the music is the story, and the album follows the book in order. It's not just inspired by the story — it is the story. When you listen to the album, it's like watching a movie through sound. If you read the book while listening, the music uncovers deeper layers of meaning.' What sets Intersection apart is perhaps that every aspect of the project is handmade. D-BELL made a conscious decision not to use any AI in the creation process. From the music to the visuals and the storytelling, it has all been crafted by hand.
The album cover, for example, features jukeboxes, which play a central role in both the album and the book. They represent intersections of different worlds, genres, and ideas coming together, reflecting the essence of the entire project. Not only the music, but also the illustrations in the book were made by hand. Musically, Intersection blends a variety of genres. A real orchestra was recorded, with musicians from opera and classical music, and there are also jazz singers, pop singers, electronic, and alternative musicians.
There's a huge diversity in the musical styles and genres, which combined bring something fresh to the table. D-BELL worked with musicians from all over the world to make sure the project captured everything he envisioned. The contents ranging from the drawings to the design, is also completely original. Each piece is detailed, to ensure that the visual side of the project is as meaningful and immersive as the music itself. The project also blends all kinds of art — drawing, music, literature, and more. It can be said to be an authentic intersection of creative expression, showcasing various forms of art in a single cohesive experience.
Some exclusive events set Intersection on its way. The first look at the album happened at DJ Corner, where D-BELL shared the sonic world he built. Then, the release was celebrated at Dr. Head, where the music pulsed through the best and most expensive speakers in the world. Well-known musicians and industry professionals came to check it out. The next event is scheduled for March 22 at the Dubai Audio Showroom. Here, not only will the music be listened in high fidelity, but the actual book will be experienced in a physical way, combining both the music and the story.
'I started working on this project when I was 16, and now at 18, I'm excited to finally share Intersection with the world,' says D-BELL. 'It's not just an album — it's an experience, something that I believe people can connect with on a deeper level.' Intersection, he adds, is a living, breathing world built through sound, story and art. Every song, every chapter, every illustration is designed to immerse the audience in a multi-sensory experience. The themes explore the nature of reality, fate, and the intersections of different cultures and ideas. With each listen and read, new layers of meaning are sure to unfold, with rewards for those who dive deeper.
Intersection also isn't just about the music — it's a journey filled with hidden meanings, philosophical themes, and puzzles to explore. There are influences from Eastern philosophy and concealed layers that call out to be uncovered through multiple listens or readings. At its core, Intersection is of course about connection — between genres, disciplines, and people. It invites listeners and readers to explore, question and feel and is a firm step in what is just the beginning of D-BELL's creative journey.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
8 hours ago
- Campaign ME
What D&AD's first creator content jury reveals
This year, D&AD introduced its first-ever Creator Content category – spotlighting work where creators weren't just amplifiers, but active cultural collaborators. It felt timely. It felt necessary. And it felt personal. I had the privilege of serving on this inaugural jury as the only representative from the region. As we judged more than 140 entries, one thing became clear: the word 'creator' has evolved. The best work didn't just feature creators – it was shaped by them. From meme accounts with cult followings to indigenous influencers preserving endangered cultures, this year's winners proved that influence today comes in many forms – and from many unexpected places. Rede fi ning content creator If there was one consistent thread in the jury room, it was this: the definition of 'creator' has outgrown its roots in follower count and amplification. In the strongest work, creators showed up as architects – of meaning, of culture, of experience. These were not just people with followers – they were communities, meme accounts, collectives, and even non-humans. In The Gravy Race – a clever, highly-awarded campaign this year, Sheba built an entire entertainment property around internet-famous cats. In Into the Aldiverse – a beautiful campaign by ALDI gaming, the creators weren't individuals, but a collective where partnering with an anime studio in Japan, the brand showed us how co-creation can extend into entire worlds. From individuals with unique POVs to cultural collectives and meme machines, creators are being redefined – not by format or following, but by the role they play in shaping attention and emotion. What makes work win Across all the work, three things stood out: 1. Simplicity wins: This year's graphite pencil winner and jury favourite, Handwash Legend by Savlon India, transformed a single hip hop gesture into a national hygiene movement. By remixing Emiway Bantai's iconic 'hand rub' into a handwashing anthem, the campaign blurred the lines between music, meme, and message. It was simple, sticky, and smart – and a reminder that when brands co-create with cultural figures, even a hygiene habit can go viral. 2. Speed matters: Another standout was the Blurred Unboxing by Colombian snack brand Ramo. It began with a TikTok creator cheekily blurring out a brand logo; within 24 hours, the brand responded with a custom, pixelated package that was sent to the creator, sparking a viral moment that was awarded D&AD's yellow pencil this year. In a world where culture moves at the speed of social – this campaign is a masterclass in listening, agility, and the impact of a simple, real-time gesture. 3. Take it further: Some of the most impactful work also moved beyond the feed and into the real world. Amazon's Money Can't Buy Experiences, a wood pencil winner, reframed creators as experience designers, co-creating events that felt personal, not promotional. In an age of digital fatigue, this campaign was a reminder that true influence isn't confined to screens and taking co-creation further gave the campaign weight-and longevity. Quick note to the region: How to 'win in creator content' On a personal note, I was thrilled to see Dubai represented in the Safe at 3AM campaign. It was sharp, relevant, and executed with insight – live streaming a runner through the city to tackle global perceptions around safety. While it didn't make the shortlist at D&AD, it deserves recognition. Perhaps it's a reflection of where the bar now sits: strong insight and elegant execution are a starting point. But to win in creator content, ideas need to go further – beyond narrative into participation, experience, and depth. There's no shortage of creative talent or storytelling in the region. According to We Are Social's latest Global Digital Report, influencer marketing continues to grow rapidly across MENA with influencer advertising spending up 12.5 per cent (YOY) and 13.7 per cent (YOY) in 2025, for the UAE and KSA respectively. The challenge – and the opportunity – is to take what's working and stretch it. Final takeaway: Stop chasing in fl uence. Start building culture The creator content category is growing up. Creators are no longer just channels. They're collectives, studios, and custodians of identity. The brands that win, will be ones that let a creator's perspective shape the work – not just promote it. With campaigns that are rooted in culture, built for longevity, and extend beyond the screen. And the next generation of pencils? They'll be awarded to brands that stop chasing followers and start building worlds. By Akanksha Goel, Founder & CEO, Socialize / We Are Social
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
Meet the 18-year-old Dubai artist blending sci-fi, soundtracks and storytelling
Hlib Futymskyi stands out. With his shoulder-length copper curls and an unusual musical moniker — Digital Bell (D-Bell), the 18-year-old Dubai-based Ukrainian is not your typical teenager. A self-confessed music nerd, he is an author, lyricist, composer, and producer, currently basking in the success of his recently released book and album, Intersection. The book, a sci-fi fantasy novella, comes alive lyrically through 14 songs in the namesake album. Every aspect of Intersection — from storytelling, composition, song writing to mixing, mastering, and even the album cover — has been conceptualised and created by D-Bell in his home studio in JLT. The project that was two years in the making was released at Dubai Audio in Dubai Hills Mall. 'The idea for Intersection first came to me when I was around 16,' says D-Bell, 'I wanted to create a world where music and stories were not separate, but completely connected. The book and the album grew parallelly. I called it Intersection because everything in the story fits like one large puzzle.' The narrative is set in a crumbling futuristic mega city, where bright artificial spheres have replaced the moon, a world where the inhabitants have everything but freedom, happiness, and music. When the protagonist, who lives on the 719th floor, finds an old jukebox, its musical notes rejuvenate the city. The plot turns in each chapter are played out through a range of emotions and genres in the soundtrack. Themes of loneliness, identity, and quest for happiness are central to the story. The book explores how these issues manifest in a hyperconnected, yet emotionally disconnected society. By blending music and literature, Intersection steers audiences through an immersive experience, with songs shifting musical genres — from jazz and opera to folk, electronic and rock. 'Each story corresponds to a specific song, making the music an extension of the book. Much like a movie soundtrack, the reader can relive the narrative through a medley of sounds,' reveals D-Bell. In the storyline, when the Floating Park, the last place where artists and musicians gathered, was destroyed, it swept all creativity from the city. To capture the event, D-Bell wrote and composed the song Skies are Blue, an opera piece featuring Spanish singer Isabel Canada Luna and opera singer Sophia, performed with a live orchestra and recorded at the Firdaus Studio in Dubai. 'The song fuses electronic and classical music with a full orchestra, in which fading piano notes and distorted echoes represent the emotions of memories breaking apart,' he says. In the book, when the city rediscovers music, the narrative is played out through Delusion, a 1980s synth-pop number created by D-Bell in collaboration with Ukrainian vocalist Verona. In Silence, the audiophile included Ukrainian folk music and in Surface, he experimented with drum and bass. D-Bell and his family moved from Kiev, Ukraine, to Dubai eight years ago. Last year, he graduated from the Nibras International School and, since then, has been focusing on his album while searching for study options that would let him merge his interests in storytelling, music and technology. He reminisces about a childhood surrounded by music and dance. 'For as long as I can recollect, there was always music at home. I loved listening to the soulful voice of Whitney Houston, the timeless jazz of Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong, iconic songs by Queen and powerful dance performances of Michael Jackson.' It helped that his family, especially his mother, Maryna, a watercolour artist, encouraged his creativity and self-expression. D-Bell's artistic journey began with a fascination for dance. It was while perfecting his moves for one of his performances that he felt a sudden urge to compose its music as well. This led to him teaching himself to play the guitar, the ukulele, and the synthesiser. By 12, he had embraced the nickname D-Bell, an ode to his love for sounds and songs. 'I started my journey with dance, focusing on freestyle. But over time, music became my primary focus,' he explains. When he is deeply inspired, it is music that D-Bell turns to, to convey his feelings. 'Every moment, every place carries a unique emotional texture. Seeing how people interact, love, struggle, and grow often brings up emotions in me that flow naturally into melodies and lyrics. Some moments are so powerful that they demand to be translated into music.' In Intersection too, its music and art that fix the broken world. Besides music, D-Bell is passionate about philosophy, science, and how technology connects with human emotions. 'To me, philosophy asks the 'why', science answers the 'how', and technology helps us in implementing both. I also derive heavily from philosophies that suggest that everything is interconnected through a universal consciousness. Intersection is an exploration of the merging of these fields shaping human experience and creativity.' In spite of being a fan of new age tech, he stayed away from using AI in the making of Intersection, crafting it instead as a deeply personal creation. When not composing D-Bell enjoys traveling, collecting and restoring vintage audio tech, analogue equipment and old cassette players. Did we not say this teen was in a league of his own?
Web Release
06-05-2025
- Web Release
Icons in Messika: Best Dressed at the Met Gala 2025
Angela Bassett graced the Met Gala carpet with undeniable presence, adorned in exceptional Messika high jewelry. She enhanced her look with the sculptural Cascade brooch and the radiant Star Chaser tie pin, completing the ensemble with the Divine Enigma ring and both the Pear Appeal earrings and ring. Cardi B made a striking entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, adorned in dazzling Messika high jewelry creations. The American artist wore a breathtaking necklace from the Private Collection, featuring a 17-carat pear-shaped diamond as its centerpiece. She paired the Divine Enigma high jewelry ring with the bold D-Vibes ring, completing the look with My Twin Multishape and D-Vibes earrings. A modern symbol of elegance and the face of Messika's latest campaign, model Fei Fei Sun looked stunning at the 2025 Met Gala. She stepped onto the carpet adorned in custom-made pieces from the Cascade High Jewelry collection — a flowing diamond necklace paired with matching earrings – and added a touch of sparkle with the bold Ritzy ring. Jennifer Raymond , wife of Usher, opted for bold yet refined pieces from the Groove collection, pairing the earrings with the latest high jewelry ring.
