If you are here, you know me - if you dont, then this is my story.
Over the last two and half decades, I have ventured into the music, entertainment, fashion, tech, art, sports, retail, industries as a founder and investor. The road to success is often filled with twists and turns, and for some, it can be a roller coaster ride of extreme highs and lows.
Timeout Magazine dubbed me the 'Godfather of House Music' in the Middle East and in 2008, i won Entrepreneur of the year award by Small Medium Business Magazine Dubai. This recognition was bestowed upon me for my instrumental role in shaping the dance music scene across the region. I introduced a diverse array of independent record labels and hosted some of the most prominent dance music clubbing events and festivals in the Middle East for over a decade.
My journey began with a passion for Music and a vision to bring new genres of music to the Middle East. In 1999, I founded the brand RAISINI, an entertainment agency, because I was underage and couldn't enter clubs that required a minimum age of 21, being a few years short of the requirement.
In 2003, a few years after my experiences at Universal Music and Virgin, I founded Raisini Records, the first Electronic Dance Music record label in Dubai. I pursued this venture after being rejected by major labels such as EMI, Universal, Virgin, and SONY, despite having established good relationships with Universal Music and Virgin Megastores. Raisini Records went on to feature the finest dance music from around the world.
While music was my passion, my success in the entertainment industry fueled my keen interest in technology and investing in startups. As early as 2004, I began investing in the booming Dubai real estate market and small startups across the Middle East. I faced failures along the way, but I learned from them. At that time, the internet was still new, and resources were limited compared to today. Later, I shifted my focus to major tech companies such as Apple, Microsoft, as well as up-and-coming startups like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Uber, Tesla, and others that were gaining momentum. I also diversified my portfolio by investing in multiple funds.
Investing in startups has helped me stay at the forefront of innovation and always be on the lookout for new and exciting ways to promote and distribute my music. I understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve and being willing to take risks to achieve my long-term goals. My passion for technology and ability to identify promising startups have allowed me to achieve a level of financial stability that enables me to continue focusing on my true passion, music.
In 2023, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of my record label Raisini Records, and in 2024 it was the 25th anniversary of RAISINI. I am looking towards the future with a sense of excitement and ambition. I have always been a forward-thinking individual, and there are several exciting projects in progress.
I will be applying the same discipline and dedication to writing that I once applied to music and business. I plan to explore writing about music, entrepreneurship, investing, startups, sports, and popular culture. Let's see what encounters and opportunities this journey will bring as I embark on this new path.
I hope you’ll join me on the path forward by subscribing to my newsletter in which over the coming months I hope to entertain and inform—and even surprise. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly into your inbox, so you’re always up to date.
✍️ Posting schedule
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Founding Member
You can also become a founding member, where you will have access to super exclusive stories including access to my new Music before others, invite to discord (upon launch), free eBooks, meet in person (if we are in the same city), invite to our events. All for $150 per year.
This is also a great option if you happen to have, say, an employer-sponsored reading or education budget.
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