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What's On
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
Artist spotlight: Emirati soul singer, Arqam Al Abri
Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations – these are just a few of the legends who shaped soul music. With roots in gospel, rhythm and blues, the genre carries strong associations and even stronger expectations. But prepare to have those expectations upended – Arqam Al Abri is here to challenge the preconceptions of what a soul singer looks and sounds like. We stumbled upon singer Al Abri during a random doomscroll on Instagram and were blown away by his voice. We watched as the Emirati/Omani gentleman, who was born and raised in Dubai, effortlessly belted out Use Somebody by Kings of Leon. Arqam al Abri Dressed in a navy-blue kandura and a white ghutra, the Emirati soul singer easily evoked goosebumps. And clearly, it's a common feeling, because the singer has over 60,000 followers on social media, and every comment was nothing but praise. We just knew we had to reach out to him to get to know the man behind the stunning voice. When asked about his inspiration, Al Abri tells us he grew up in a house full of music. 'My dad was a musician and had a massive music collection that we used to listen to. Music from legends such as Elvis, James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and more. We used to sneak into his room to listen to his music and I think that inspired us.' The singer also shares that his first memory of music is hearing his father sing. When asked when he realised he could sing in that way, he laughed and said 'sing like what?' However, he added he had no formal training and had a voice coach for just a couple of weeks. It's a constant learning curve, Al Abri admits. 'I like to think I learn from every musician I've jammed with – from guitarists and keyboard players to drummers and singers. Every rehearsal, every performance is a lesson.' Other singers who strongly influenced him include his own brother Abri, and other prominent names in the soul singing business including Sam Cooke, Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is an album Al Abri tells us he can listen to on repeat. When asked if he faced any challenges being a soul singer in the UAE, Al Abri shared 'The early days were difficult, I can't complain though. Challenges are what makes you who you are.' However, it looks like his hard work and dedication has paid off, because he has not only performed in some top venues here in the UAE, he also sang alongside internationally acclaimed pianist, Lang Lang. When asked if being Emirati influences his music, he said 'To a certain extent, I add some elements of our music into my songs. I've sampled the Ayala in one of my songs Towards the Light… slipped in some Oud into another original Leaving, and I often perform live with an amazing Oud player – Nezar Omran.' Al Abri also writes his own songs which the world can listen to on Spotify and Apple Music. According to the singer, he is hoping to do more to merge Khaleeji music and soul music in his next EP (extended play). And it looks like his dreams will soon become a reality, because Al Abri happily shared that he was 'fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Ministry of Culture to produce and EP.' He added, 'It will be a fusion of Emirati/Khaleeji music and soul music – around four or five songs.' He is working on a few campaigns and is excited to share them with us soon. Al Abri said that he was fortunate enough to sustain himself through his music during the Covid-19 lockdown when he was unsure of his decision to leave his job, he wrote a song called Heavy. 'It starts off fairly sad, but then becomes more hopeful and determined towards the end. It's also the first song where I played guitar on my own track.' When asked what's something that people might be surprised to learn about him, he chuckled quietly and shared, 'I am fairly reclusive… very demure… very mindful…' He also shared that one of his favourite songs to perform is Creep by Radiohead. 'It's such a beautiful song. For someone like me that isn't necessarily comfortable being around a lot of people, I can relate with the song.' 'It's been an incredible journey to be able to do something that, I hope, is able to touch people and make a decent income from,' he said. However, when he is not dabbling in music, Al Abri unwinds by spending time with his cats. For emerging artists in the region, Al Abri has one simple piece of advice: 'Find out who you are. It'll show in your music.' Follow Arqam Al Abri on his musical journey on Instagram @
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 LIVE: Ring walk time, undercard results and round-by-round updates as Dynamite looks to become the first Brit to unify the heavyweight division in the four-belt era
Alexa, play Playback by James Brown... and turn that volume up! 'The brother get ready, that's a fact. Get ready (something quite rude that I can't repeat) for the big payback.' Yep, you know the lyrics. Well, if you were born before the turn of the century, I hope you would. I'm only 25, and I know it. If I were Daniel Dubois, I'd be listening to it on repeat for every single hour taking to the ring at Wembley Stadium at 10pm tonight. That is when he will be out for payback against Oleksandr Usyk. 23 months ago, Dubois watched the Ukrainian have his hand raised in Poland after he was stopped nine rounds into what was a gruelling battle. Ever since, he has been plotting his revenge. Well, now his time has come. We waited years for an undisputed heavyweight championship unification fight; now we are having our second in just two years. It feels like Christmas. Wembley is ready, I'm ready... are you ready? It's time to get what could be the greatest show of the year, or you never know, the decade, on the road!
The Journal
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
'We wouldn't be able to have a child here': Renters and experts on the shrinking of apartments
QUALITY OF LIFE concerns around the government's plans to reduce minimum apartment sizes have been raised by both experts in housing and people living in already cramped conditions. The new rules, proposed by Housing Minister James Brown to cut building costs , would decrease the minimum apartment size to approximately the size of two and a half parking spaces and scrap rules relating to the maximum number of one-bedroom and studio apartments in buildings. The proposed changes, contained in the Planning Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025) bill, are understood to be aiming for a €50,000 to €100,000 cost reduction per apartment. The government hopes this will improve the viability of apartment building by seeking to address higher development costs, leading to more apartments being built. But sceptics have expressed concern that all that will happen is that people will end up living in properties that are too small for their needs. Leading housing expert, Orla Hegarty, Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy in UCD, has concerns about the impact smaller apartment sizes will have on families and children, and retired people. 'We can say that we aren't building this housing for families or people with children, and those who are struggling, but realistically, they will end up living there, because poor people need somewhere to live,' she said. '32 square metres is tiny, it's two and a half parking spaces, it's smaller than most hotel rooms. We're talking about effectively introducing slum conditions here', she said. 'In the 1930s the council in Dublin very occasionally built one-bedroom flats on the ground floor of housing developments, and a decision was made that that was not appropriate for people, because it's very unhealthy to cook in the room you sleep in, or as an older person, to spend all of your time in one room. Inevitably, once again, we will see retired people living in these units,' Hegarty said. Government plans would allow the creation of more studio apartments, such as this €1,107 per month Rathmines studio. As well as cutting the minimum size, the c hanges included in Browne's reforms include dropping mandatory communal facilities and allowing more one-bed and single aspect apartments in developments. Hegarty feels that questions need to be asked about the role of lobbying by developers in the decision-making process. She has previously given expert advice on construction costs to the Oireachtas Housing Committee, and questions whether the government's claim that developers could save €50,000 to €100,000 per unit with these changes. 'The costing doesn't stack up and there is no evidence for it, none has been produced to date. The apartments will have the same fixtures so all that is being reduced is the structural floorplan', she said. 'No trained architect would have supported this idea. Architecture is about understanding housing in terms of human needs, and there is an obvious need for space. Living, basically in one room, will greatly impact people's mental and also physical health,' Hegarty said. Hegarty also references the lack of public consultation on the issue, with no tenant organisations consulted part of the process, and she expresses concern that developers may seek to make changes to developments already with planning. Advertisement 'The Minister is talking about 57,000 apartment units that are already permitted. If those are redesigned it will have an impact on drainage, water supply, congestion, it will mean more people living in the developments effectively, so there are questions as to how that could possibly happen under the same planning permission, and as to the legality of that,' she added. This studio on North Circular Road is advertised on for €1,650 per month. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne raised the issue of the 'liveability' of apartments in Ireland if the government were to proceed with the proposed changes and a number of people who already live in small units have echoed those concerns. Rory, who lives in a studio apartment in Dublin city centre, said the proposed changes would be 'tough going' for tenants and would 'probably have a knock-on effect for people's' mental health'. Rory said the hardest part about living in a studio flat is the lack of room to relax and cook. 'You probably tend to go out a lot more because you don't really feel comfortable in your own home', he said, highlighting that not feeling comfortable at home leads to 'unnecessary spending' on eating out. He said 'you wouldn't be looking forward' to cooking as constantly hits himself off cupboards or counters when trying to navigate his kitchen space. 'You're just trying to find space to open a press and not hit your head off it because you forgot how little room you have to manoeuvre', he said. He also finds it hard to relax in the evenings as he doesn't have space for a couch. 'Your living area is your bed', he said. He also feels reluctant to bring guests over due to the lack of space. Lauren Textor pays €1,150 (before electricity bills) to rent a converted garage in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, with her partner. She said one of the hardest things about living in her apartment, which is under 50 square metres, is 'having someone constantly in my space'. Lauren grew up sharing a room with her sister, but said sharing a room as a child feels less claustrophobic than sharing a small apartment as an adult. 'There isn't really room to be alone', she said, explaining that if she were to watch TV in the same room as her partner when he had headphones on, she would still hear everything as the 'space is so small'. The size of their home dictates many decisions Lauren and her partner make. 'We wouldn't be able to have a child here, we can't really have people over', she said, adding that it makes visits from her family in America difficult. She adds that she also only uses IKEA furniture made for specifically for small spaces, something she dislikes as a sustainable shopper. Lauren believes there are a many things they 'don't have the space for' that would make her life 'a little bit easier'. For example, the couple only have enough counter space for a kettle and a toaster. 'I used to love thrifting, now every time I buy something I think, do we have space for this?' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
NBC Sports
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
As 20th year at CBS commences, James Brown is in talks for an extension
James Brown moved from Fox to CBS in 2006. As he approaches his 20th season with his current network, he's potentially going to stick around a lot longer. Michael McCarthy of reports that Brown is negotiating an extension to remain the host of The NFL Today. His current deal expires after the 2025 season. Despite being 74, Brown has no plans to retire. He emerged from a partial youth movement in 2024, one that saw Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason out, still in his chair as the captain of the ship. In a business where age can be an issue (the requirements of federal and state laws nothwithstanding), it's good to see CBS sticking with what's working. As McCarthy notes, a few broadcasters get to stick around as long as they want, with Lee Corso and Dick Vitale the most notable. Maybe J.B., who has become an institution at CBS, will extend his 20-year run by another decade, or longer.
Scottish Sun
29-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Rogue builder who charged £100k for kitchen refurbs and ripped out homes before fleeing to go on hols is jailed
Families were left without running water and unable to cook COWBOY CAUGHT Rogue builder who charged £100k for kitchen refurbs and ripped out homes before fleeing to go on hols is jailed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A ROGUE builder who charged £100,000 for refurbishments and ripped out homes before fleeing on holiday has been locked up. Jamie Brown ripped off 19 families and fled with their money after wrecking their houses in the spring and summer of 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 James Brown and wife Nina Brown arriving at Bristol Crown Court Credit: Paul Gillis/BristolLive 4 Victims of rogue kitchen fitter James Brown at Bristol Crown Court Credit: Paul Gillis/BristolLive The 56-year-old even ripped out the kitchen of a couple who were weeks away from having a baby and ran away without refitting it. Brown, who lived in Bristol, boasted about having over 25 years of experience carrying out "quality, fully guaranteed kitchen installations in and around the South West and Wales". The dad went on holidays and his wife posted glam pics of their adventures after he left the lives of other families in tatters. Brown was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court for 19 counts of theft. Charges were also brought against his wife Nina, who was listed as a company director at the time, but the case against her was formally discontinued in court last week. Brown was sentenced to 18 months in prison, BristolLive reported. The court heard he "lied and lied consistently" in his schemes. The cowboy builder would warn prospective customers that they needed to agree to the job and pay upfront swiftly, or prices would go up. Once they paid him and he ripped out their kitchen, he would disappear and provide a myriad of excuses. He later claimed he had a "mental breakdown" and his company had gone into liquidation, telling the distraught families they would not be receiving any money back or any new kitchens. The court heard that many had "wiped out" their savings and taken out massive loans to pay the dodgy builder - but were left with their kitchens in ruins. One victim told the court how they discovered Brown was splashing out on holidays while their lives were in tatters. They said: "What made it worse was that he continued to go on all these lovely holidays. "His wife would post pictures of them going on holidays, one after another, all the time. I stopped looking because she blocked me on Facebook, but friends would send me screenshots. "I was left thinking 'these are holidays we should be going on, not him'." The court heard that victims were left without running water and without anyway of cooking. "We didn't have running water, no way of cooking, no washing machine. We rigged up a temporary thing in the garage, but he left it and that went on for ten weeks, with different excuses. "In the end I rang Howdens and they said they could deliver the kitchen, but it would have to be paid for. That's when I realised for sure what was going on, it was devastating." There was some dispute in court about the total amount of money that he had stolen. The prosecution opened their case and put the amount at £101,602.91, but Brown's defence counsel David Sapiecha said the true figure was £84,817. The court was told that the couple are in the process of selling their home and the proceeds would be used to pay back every penny to people who had lost money. 4 A finished kitchen on Brown's company's Instagram page before his imprisonment Credit: Instagram
