Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the Bilna Sandeep show. Today on the show, we have a very special guest who is also a celebrity and a businessman himself. I would love to welcome Mr. Aziz Abdou, who is a Lebanese singer. And welcome to the show.
Aziz: Thank you very much.
Watch the Podcast
Part 1
Part 2
Listen to the Podcast
Chronicles of Aziz Abdou: Football to Music
Bilna:
How are you.
00:00:18:17 – 00:00:20:07
Aziz:
Today? I’m fine, thank you yourself.
00:00:20:07 – 00:00:23:21
Bilna:
It’s. I’m also fine and very happy to have you on our show.
00:00:23:27 – 00:00:26:29
Aziz:
Thank you. The pleasure is mine. Thank you for having me here.
00:00:27:00 – 00:00:44:03
Bilna:
Thank you so much. Aziz, would you like to tell a bit about yourself to our followers on how you started your career in music? I know you started initially in the football and then moved to modeling and then to music. So how is that journey like?
00:00:44:05 – 00:01:02:22
Aziz:
Well, to be honest, all was like, I don’t know how it happened. It just happened. You know, First of all, I used to live in Sweden. Yes. And I was a professional soccer player and I hurt my knee so I couldn’t continue. I came into the modeling world in Europe, and then suddenly I went to Lebanon.
00:01:02:24 – 00:01:03:10
Bilna:
Okay.
00:01:03:15 – 00:01:11:24
Aziz:
I’m Lebanese originally, so. But my parents wanted me to go to Lebanon to see my family, etc. So I went to Lebanon.
00:01:11:29 – 00:01:12:27
Bilna:
Actually said to.
00:01:12:27 – 00:01:14:28
Aziz:
Lebanon, casual visit for three weeks.
00:01:14:29 – 00:01:15:13
Bilna:
Okay.
00:01:15:20 – 00:01:37:13
Aziz:
To see my family and relatives. And then, I don’t know. I met the woman in Lebanon. I got married to her. I was with her for like two and a half years. I divorced. I stayed in Lebanon. Okay. I became Mr. Lebanon in 2001, I think. And then by I don’t know how it started. I was in the studio recording a song as like a PR song.
00:01:37:15 – 00:01:40:12
Aziz:
Okay. As Mr. Lebanon, me and Mrs. Lebanon.
00:01:40:15 – 00:01:41:00
Bilna:
Okay.
00:01:41:01 – 00:01:43:07
Aziz:
Okay. So it was just for a joke.
00:01:43:09 – 00:01:44:22
Bilna:
Oh, it.
00:01:44:24 – 00:01:49:00
Aziz:
Was a joke. You know, me and Mrs. Lebanon were doing a PR campaign.
00:01:49:01 – 00:01:52:16
Bilna:
Okay. Okay. So before that, you became Mr. Lebanon?
00:01:52:17 – 00:01:58:11
Aziz:
Yeah, I was Mr. Lebanon before that. Okay. And in the studio, one of the biggest producers was sitting there.
00:01:58:18 – 00:01:59:03
Bilna:
Oh, nice.
00:01:59:05 – 00:02:21:27
Aziz:
So we sang a song, and then when we went out, he was like, I need to talk to you. I said, Sure. He said, I love your look and I love your voice. You are the new Ricky Martin in Middle East. I said, Really? I said, I want to sign you. So I met him a couple of times and then I signed and we did the first album in 2004, and it was a mega success in Middle East.
00:02:22:02 – 00:02:22:20
Bilna:
Nice.
00:02:22:23 – 00:02:23:07
Aziz:
Yeah.
00:02:23:14 – 00:02:33:18
Bilna:
And you know, as say it was your debut album, right? You first. And how was it feeling like on the day when it was about to release? Did you expect it to go?
00:02:33:18 – 00:02:38:27
Aziz:
Really Vaguely. No, I didn’t, to be honest. And, you know, I was so young.
00:02:39:00 – 00:02:41:03
Bilna:
And then how old were you at that time?
00:02:41:04 – 00:02:42:00
Aziz:
17,
00:02:42:00 – 00:02:42:28
Bilna:
Think. Yeah.
00:02:42:28 – 00:03:02:21
Aziz:
I was very young. And suddenly I’m in New. It’s my country, but I’ve never lived in Lebanon, you know, I’m from Lebanon, but I’ve never lived in Lebanon. And suddenly I’m there, you know, I felt like a stranger. I’m releasing a new album. It was exciting. I was afraid that people would say, I have a different style, you know, because I used to live in Europe.
00:03:02:21 – 00:03:04:00
Bilna:
Okay
00:03:04:02 – 00:03:16:18
Aziz:
And my mentality is different. I was more daring than other artists is. So it was a mixed feelings. But I mean, once it was released, it was a mega success right away.
00:03:16:20 – 00:03:24:18
Bilna:
That’s amazing. Yeah. Like video modeling career help in when you started the album because it does has videos as well, right. So yes.
00:03:24:18 – 00:03:32:26
Aziz:
I think the modeling career helped me as a person. Yes. It helped me being professional, being know what I’m doing in front of the camera.
00:03:33:00 – 00:03:33:17
Bilna:
Okay.
00:03:33:18 – 00:03:35:21
Aziz:
And it helped me on the stage.
00:03:35:24 – 00:03:36:12
Bilna:
Okay.
00:03:36:18 – 00:03:40:08
Aziz:
During my concerts. So, yes, it’s helped me a lot. Of course it did.
00:03:40:10 – 00:03:44:23
Bilna:
Oh nice and I think your childhood, most of it you spend in Sweden, right?
00:03:44:24 – 00:03:47:08
Aziz:
Yeah, I was two years when we left Lebanon to Sweden.
00:03:47:11 – 00:03:47:24
Bilna:
Okay.
00:03:47:24 – 00:03:50:10
Aziz:
So my childhood. Yes, it was in Sweden.
00:03:50:12 – 00:03:54:07
Bilna:
So how is it like? I think your parents are Arab. Your mom is?
00:03:54:08 – 00:03:57:27
Aziz:
Yeah, my dad’s Lebanese mom, Mom’s Jordanian is.
00:03:58:00 – 00:04:06:08
Bilna:
And how is that mix culture there? Like, you know, as an Arab. And then you moved to Europe. How did it help? You know, it’s a it’s.
00:04:06:08 – 00:04:08:23
Aziz:
A nice mix. You know I have.
00:04:08:25 – 00:04:09:20
Bilna:
It gave you a better.
00:04:09:22 – 00:04:18:05
Aziz:
Quality than than the European mentality as well. Something special. Then I came back to Middle East. So it was it’s it’s good. It’s helped me a lot.
00:04:18:08 – 00:04:26:22
Bilna:
Nice. And when you came back to the Middle East, like coming back to the home country, how was that like, like as a kid who grew up outside it? Yeah.
00:04:26:24 – 00:04:30:12
Aziz:
It was nice. When I came to Lebanon in 2000, I loved living.
00:04:30:12 – 00:04:31:04
Bilna:
Oh nice.
00:04:31:11 – 00:04:42:14
Aziz:
Back then. You know, life was crazy. The nightlife, the restaurants, you know, I was a kid. Yeah, I came from a background there. I used to train and work out, like, three times a day as a soccer player.
00:04:42:14 – 00:04:42:24
Bilna:
Oh nice.
00:04:42:29 – 00:04:57:01
Aziz:
I didn’t do anything else. Then football was everything in my life because I was professional, right? And then suddenly you come into the world, Nightlife is crazy. The beaches, the the the life itself was totally different. And I loved it.
00:04:57:03 – 00:05:06:18
Bilna:
Okay. And I think you had a knee injury. That’s when you had to move from the soccer career. That’s true. How is it feelings like at that time? Like, you know, because.
00:05:06:18 – 00:05:10:08
Aziz:
Oh, you don’t want to know. Well, one year I was like.
00:05:10:10 – 00:05:11:27
Bilna:
What’s next? You know, like.
00:05:11:28 – 00:05:22:22
Aziz:
I was like, sad, crying. I was so young, I was so talented. And suddenly I understood I can’t continue because I had two surgeries and it didn’t go well.
00:05:22:25 – 00:05:28:09
Bilna:
Yeah, because you were very ambitious in that game. You had seen yourself there as a career.
00:05:28:11 – 00:05:29:00
Aziz:
Exactly.
Inspiring Journey and Entrepreneurship Discussion
Bilna:
What would be your advice to young people who might go through a situation like that, like you know, in their teenagers or the last of the teenage years and the whole dream, what they had is just breaking off. So.
00:05:40:19 – 00:05:50:29
Aziz:
I mean, that’s life, you know, That’s life. I would suggest to everything happens for a reason. Right? And just keep going. Keep believing in yourself and follow your dreams.
00:05:51:03 – 00:05:59:17
Bilna:
Nice. And when did you make up your mind? Okay, I’m going to get back and I’m going to get to a different career. How did that moment happen?
00:05:59:17 – 00:06:18:00
Aziz:
That’s the thing with me. I never thought about it. It just happened. You know, after I did my surgery, I got a contract deal as a model. Okay, So it happened suddenly. I was out one night, okay? And a scout came to me. He said, You want to, like, start working as a model? You got the looks. But I was like, I don’t know.
00:06:18:00 – 00:06:29:12
Aziz:
I’ve never done it. He said, Let’s try it. And when I tried it, it became really popular and I did a lot of big jobs in Europe and that’s how I started. I never planned anything. It just happened.
00:06:29:19 – 00:06:31:29
Bilna:
You’re someone who takes life as it comes.
00:06:32:02 – 00:06:37:09
Aziz:
Exactly. Even now. Yes, yes, it’s true. I mean, it comes when it comes.
00:06:37:13 – 00:06:52:10
Bilna:
Okay. I think you also recently started a business, right? I did, yes. 86 months back. Yes. So how is that going? Because when it comes to business, it requires planning as to how you might vote, your character as a business owner, as well.
00:06:52:10 – 00:06:57:13
Aziz:
It’s going pretty good. I wanted to have my own studio, but it’s not only for me.
00:06:57:13 – 00:06:59:22
Bilna:
Yes, you are lending a subsidiary.
00:06:59:24 – 00:07:12:14
Aziz:
Of course, but I wanted to do something very special, so I visited all the studios almost here in Dubai again, and I wanted to do something very crazy, very funky new equipment that nobody have.
00:07:12:20 – 00:07:13:13
Bilna:
Very nice.
00:07:13:15 – 00:07:15:09
Aziz:
The location is great in downtown.
00:07:15:12 – 00:07:16:05
Bilna:
And.
00:07:16:07 – 00:07:20:21
Aziz:
The equipment is really high equipment. Few have them in the world.
00:07:20:23 – 00:07:21:14
Bilna:
Oh, nice.
00:07:21:14 – 00:07:31:09
Aziz:
And the location is in downtown and the interior. I have great interior. So colorful, Crazy, you know, different. It’s like a music studio.
00:07:31:12 – 00:07:33:11
Bilna:
Something that inspires you as a music person?
00:07:33:12 – 00:07:34:17
Aziz:
Of course.
00:07:34:19 – 00:07:46:04
Bilna:
As an artist, yes. Yeah. And like, how did that idea of starting in the studio come? Is it because you were not happy with the studio as we were going with, or how how did that happen?
00:07:46:05 – 00:07:52:15
Aziz:
No, it’s not about I wasn’t happy in the studio here in Dubai. It was more that I wanted to have my own office.
00:07:52:15 – 00:07:53:06
Bilna:
Okay.
00:07:53:08 – 00:07:58:24
Aziz:
And then I saw a place. It was big. I said, Why don’t I do my own music studio?
00:07:58:25 – 00:07:59:14
Bilna:
Oh, nice.
00:07:59:16 – 00:08:00:24
Aziz:
That’s how it started.
00:08:00:27 – 00:08:06:13
Bilna:
Okay, great. And how many albums has come out already from yourself Already?
00:08:06:16 – 00:08:10:29
Aziz:
How many albums? I think I have seven albums and like, five or six singles.
00:08:11:04 – 00:08:30:05
Bilna:
Oh, nice. Yeah, that’s amazing. And when it comes to the whole music production process, right? How is it like maybe someone who is young who is good at singing, but he wants to have a career, but he might not know all the back and process of the industry they could you explain like how that how many people work on an album?
00:08:30:05 – 00:08:30:18
Bilna:
Actually?
00:08:30:21 – 00:08:50:06
Aziz:
Well, to be honest, you know, there’s a lot of singers, a lot of people who wants to become singers. So it’s a tough business, that’s for sure. You need to have the small special thing, the extra thing that other doesn’t have. Cause, you know, today everyone wants to be a singer, and today the voice is not enough anymore.
00:08:50:09 – 00:08:55:00
Aziz:
I mean, of course it’s it’s enough, but you know what I mean? You need to have the looks, the charisma as well.
00:08:55:00 – 00:08:56:07
Bilna:
Yes.
00:08:56:10 – 00:08:58:07
Aziz:
So it’s really tough business.
00:08:58:09 – 00:08:58:29
Bilna:
Yes.
00:08:59:02 – 00:09:07:25
Aziz:
But you need to keep trying. That’s the only way. And believe in yourself, as I said before, and keep trying contact to labels.
00:09:07:26 – 00:09:21:07
Bilna:
Know how important as a network, as you know, to get into a career like that, because you were luckily, like, found someone who found you right as a talent. So how important is to be at the right places at the right time?
00:09:21:09 – 00:09:34:01
Aziz:
That’s the most important thing, you know, to have someone in the industry believing you do something big. And that’s what happened to me when I was young, you know? Yes, he was one of the best producers of Middle East, and we made it big together.
00:09:34:01 – 00:09:35:15
Bilna:
And to me, meet them.
00:09:35:18 – 00:09:48:01
Aziz:
Was in the studio singing a song like a PR, as I told you, just for fun. And suddenly I became a singer. So it’s funny, I never thought, I’m going to be a singer. If you asked me back, then.
00:09:48:02 – 00:09:48:25
Bilna:
Yes.
00:09:48:27 – 00:10:00:03
Aziz:
But here I am today. And yes, even in my studio I have a label as well. So if there is anyone really talented. Okay. I’m also welcome to send me their music.
00:10:00:05 – 00:10:03:21
Bilna:
And that’s nice. Yeah. So you are also helping promote other young.
00:10:03:21 – 00:10:05:24
Aziz:
Yes. Yes, of course. I have a record label as well.
00:10:05:24 – 00:10:21:24
Bilna:
Oh, very nice. That’s nice. And you know your personal life. I always see you posting about your son. Would you like to say a bit about him? You know? And how did it change your career and your outlook after you became a dad?
00:10:22:01 – 00:10:26:02
Aziz:
The first of all, he’s the light in my life. He’s everything to me.
00:10:26:04 – 00:10:26:19
Bilna:
Nice.
00:10:26:21 – 00:10:35:06
Aziz:
Yeah. When I got Cristiano, my son, it was the best moment in my life. I think about him every second. Everything I do, I do for him.
00:10:35:12 – 00:10:35:24
Bilna:
Nice.
00:10:36:00 – 00:10:47:24
Aziz:
It’s a special feeling, you know? It’s a special thing. Yeah. I travel to Sweden every month for ten days just to meet him. Or Nice to be with them, of course. And it’s amazing.
00:10:48:00 – 00:10:48:20
Bilna:
To be a dad. It’s nice.
00:10:48:25 – 00:10:55:01
Aziz:
He made my life very. How can I. How can I say it meaningful?
00:10:55:04 – 00:10:58:01
Bilna:
Is it did it to change perspective of of.
00:10:58:07 – 00:11:08:02
Aziz:
Course everything I see you’re I’m a dad now. You know I have to think about him. I’m happy thinking about him every second. He’s. He’s just there, whatever I do.
00:11:08:04 – 00:11:17:15
Bilna:
So it like, you know, maybe Can you give an example of how it changed? Like, how would you have done things differently if you were not a dad? And that was easier.
00:11:17:17 – 00:11:26:16
Aziz:
Because, you know, when you don’t have responsibilities, I mean, like if you don’t have a kid. Yes. You you don’t think much. Yes, you do whatever you want to do. You know.
00:11:26:16 – 00:11:27:26
Bilna:
I have Last-Minute Plans.
00:11:27:26 – 00:11:43:25
Aziz:
Yeah. You know, I have to plan. I have to be a good example for my son because he’s two years and seven month. Yes. So soon he’s going to understand. He’s going to see the websites, the social media, all that. And so I want to be a great example for my son.
00:11:43:27 – 00:11:53:05
Bilna:
Nice, nice. And I think when he sees, especially with voice, I think they look up to their dads a lot as they are. You know, you’re like you are their first hero in their life.
00:11:53:08 – 00:11:57:07
Aziz:
Exactly. And we were very size me and Cristiano, so I love it.
00:11:57:07 – 00:12:01:12
Bilna:
Oh, and did it inspired by footballer Cristiano the name?
00:12:01:15 – 00:12:03:04
Aziz:
Yeah, it’s both. Yeah.
00:12:03:07 – 00:12:13:25
Bilna:
And as a dad you know you are in a music industry would you want your son to also follow your dreams or would you or would you rather going to be footballer?
00:12:13:29 – 00:12:33:07
Aziz:
No, to be honest, no, because I know it’s a lot of hard work. You know, it’s late nights. It’s I put a lot of energy and time and nights in this music industry. So, no, I’d rather not. But if this is what he wants, of course I’ll be supporting him all the way. But I hope it’s not the music industry.
00:12:33:14 – 00:12:35:04
Bilna:
For very draining industry.
00:12:35:04 – 00:12:36:12
Aziz:
Yeah, Yeah. It’s really tough.
00:12:36:12 – 00:12:43:13
Bilna:
When we see a music video out or when we see people like you on camera are like, Wow, they have got it all.
00:12:43:15 – 00:12:59:28
Aziz:
And a lot of people think, you know, a lot of life. Yes, luxury cars, apartments, whatever, traveling. But this is not the truth. You know, I work 15 hours a day. Yes. You know, I live in in the plane. Okay. So we travel a lot. There’s a lot of work. So it’s not that easy.
00:13:00:00 – 00:13:04:28
Bilna:
I think it’s glamorous. Behind the behind the scenes is not so glamorous.
00:13:04:29 – 00:13:10:23
Aziz:
Always the lot of a lot of work, a lot of late nights, a lot of effort.
00:13:10:23 – 00:13:14:02
Bilna:
So I think mostly people don’t see that.
00:13:14:04 – 00:13:17:06
Aziz:
They see the luxury, the video, what car I’m driving.
00:13:17:06 – 00:13:21:24
Bilna:
The guy is blessed. Yeah, he has exactly. He got lucky. But it’s not just luck.
00:13:21:25 – 00:13:22:27
Aziz:
You know, it’s.
00:13:23:00 – 00:13:25:18
Bilna:
It’s a lot of hard work that. Yes, of course.
00:13:25:18 – 00:13:30:19
Aziz:
And otherwise you can’t reach success if you don’t work hard. That’s in every business now.
00:13:30:19 – 00:13:47:02
Bilna:
You’re an artist. I think you are. You’re good with the creative side of it. But business is not always creative, right? There’s a lot of targets. And you know, the revenue, everything you need to look at. How did you do your research? What was the process like? You know, transforming from an artist to a business owner as well?
00:13:47:04 – 00:13:50:26
Aziz:
No, I have several businesses as well. Okay. Here in Dubai and in Europe.
00:13:50:26 – 00:13:54:13
Bilna:
Okay. How was the process like when you started the businesses?
00:13:54:16 – 00:13:58:03
Aziz:
Well, it was fun because I love I love being the businessman.
00:13:58:06 – 00:13:58:24
Bilna:
Oh, nice.
00:13:58:24 – 00:14:04:02
Aziz:
You know, and even though I don’t have time for everything, I have a business manager take care of everything.
00:14:04:03 – 00:14:06:28
Bilna:
Nice name? Yes. Many businesses Do you own like.
00:14:07:06 – 00:14:08:28
Aziz:
I have five businesses. Wow.
00:14:08:28 – 00:14:19:22
Bilna:
Yeah, that’s a lot. So how do you, like, plan your day? Like, how many hours do you plan for your business, your career? How how does your day look like?
00:14:19:23 – 00:14:29:11
Aziz:
Well, my day, I start my day early morning. I go to the gym for 2 hours and nice. Then I have meeting with my business manager from 11 to 1 every day.
00:14:29:12 – 00:14:30:27
Bilna:
Who gives you the whole update?
00:14:31:04 – 00:14:36:08
Aziz:
The whole of days. And then I start my day as a the singer. Oh, get my music.
00:14:36:11 – 00:14:41:03
Bilna:
Oh, nice. Yeah. And until what time does you day end?
00:14:41:03 – 00:14:47:09
Aziz:
And I don’t want to know 11, 12. One, two in the morning.
00:14:47:09 – 00:14:50:12
Bilna:
Oh, okay. So there’s a lot of hard work.
00:14:50:12 – 00:14:54:27
Aziz:
That that’s what I said. Not just the glamor that people see on TV you know.
00:14:55:00 – 00:14:57:25
Bilna:
And how a lot of time for your son do you call him?
00:14:57:27 – 00:15:00:11
Aziz:
The thing is, my son lives with the mom in.
00:15:00:11 – 00:15:01:11
Bilna:
Sweden, okay?
00:15:01:11 – 00:15:08:00
Aziz:
And I see him every month. As I told you, I go between seven to then ten days every month, and I call him three times a week.
00:15:08:06 – 00:15:08:20
Bilna:
On.
00:15:08:22 – 00:15:09:07
Aziz:
Video.
00:15:09:07 – 00:15:09:21
Bilna:
Okay.
00:15:09:21 – 00:15:16:29
Aziz:
Makes me So we have a plan for him. So I have time. He’s the most important thing. So I’ll always prioritize. Of course.
00:15:16:29 – 00:15:21:05
Bilna:
Yes. And when is your Next video coming out, next music.
00:15:21:05 – 00:15:26:21
Aziz:
Video next. Food is coming out soon. It depends what’s happening in the world now. You know Israel and Palestine.
00:15:26:21 – 00:15:27:14
Bilna:
Okay.
00:15:27:17 – 00:15:32:26
Aziz:
And yeah, I’m traveling to Bulgaria to shoot my new video on the first.
00:15:32:29 – 00:15:46:19
Bilna:
Okay. Nice. Yes. And I have also seen and I was stalking to you that sites I have seen that you also do a lot of giving back to the community. So how do you give back to the community through your music like you know?
00:15:46:25 – 00:15:57:16
Aziz:
Well, to be honest, I’m a person who believe I’m blessed. And second, I love to help people. Okay. I’m a helper. I don’t like to talk about it because when you help, you know, need to talk about it.
00:15:57:16 – 00:15:58:01
Bilna:
Yes. Yes. True
00:15:58:01 – 00:15:59:15
Aziz:
So why does.
00:15:59:17 – 00:16:00:15
Bilna:
That left Angela?
00:16:00:15 – 00:16:02:13
Aziz:
You know, So I help a lot.
00:16:02:21 – 00:16:03:16
Bilna:
Okay. Nice.
00:16:03:22 – 00:16:10:14
Aziz:
And my music is all about positivity. Nice, Nice. It’s all about being happy, believing in yourself.
00:16:10:16 – 00:16:11:12
Bilna:
Okay?
00:16:11:14 – 00:16:15:23
Aziz:
About passion, about love. Yes. So that’s what my music is all about.
00:16:15:28 – 00:16:19:15
Bilna:
And I think also when you sing, you sing with the emotions.
00:16:19:15 – 00:16:23:20
Aziz:
Yes, of course. I can never sing a song if I don’t feel it.
00:16:23:23 – 00:16:29:17
Bilna:
you don’t feel it. How do you like who does the lyrics for your song? Do you have someone? Is it different people every time or how?
00:16:29:23 – 00:16:41:18
Aziz:
Yeah, it’s different people, you know, sending me songs to listen. They say We did this song for you, Aziz. Please listen to it. And if I feel it and I feel this is representing me, I’ll take.
00:16:41:18 – 00:16:44:14
Bilna:
It. Okay. So it has to feel. Have a connection to you first?
00:16:44:21 – 00:16:47:23
Aziz:
Yes, of course. I need to feel the words, the lyrics.
00:16:47:23 – 00:16:50:05
Bilna:
And the music storyline come out.
00:16:50:12 – 00:17:02:06
Aziz:
Then I’ll sit with my team, my manager is my producers and we will work on it. So it matches the what I’m representing and the image of Aziz.
00:17:02:12 – 00:17:12:13
Bilna:
But also in the music industry. How does a promotions work? Like once you decide, okay, I’m going to launch a video, but what is the whole process of the launch like from the.
00:17:12:16 – 00:17:13:28
Aziz:
And so that’s a big process.
00:17:13:28 – 00:17:16:18
Bilna:
How do you make sure people know about it? What the PR.
00:17:16:21 – 00:17:20:29
Aziz:
Yeah, I have my team, as I said, my managers and my PR team.
00:17:21:00 – 00:17:21:17
Bilna:
Okay.
00:17:21:17 – 00:17:25:23
Aziz:
It will be all over social media, YouTube, all the TV channels in Middle East.
00:17:25:23 – 00:17:26:16
Bilna:
Nice.
00:17:26:18 – 00:17:31:08
Aziz:
And Europe magazines, which is more online now. Yes.
00:17:31:10 – 00:17:33:02
Bilna:
Radios, nice things.
00:17:33:02 – 00:17:39:18
Aziz:
And the most important platform, which is social media nowadays. So we’ll do a big campaign on social media as well.
00:17:39:20 – 00:17:50:14
Bilna:
And when you are a celebrity, have you ever had to deal with negativity online because there’s a lot of negative comments and how do you deal with that and type situations?
00:17:50:14 – 00:18:06:28
Aziz:
There’s always negative people in the world, you know, people who love you, people who hates you. People are jealous. Yes. People who are no sick. So yeah, yeah. I handle this daily basis. Every artist I think, who well known is to handle these kind of things, but I just laugh.
00:18:07:04 – 00:18:08:23
Bilna:
Okay? You don’t take it into your heart.
00:18:08:23 – 00:18:12:01
Aziz:
You know, I don’t know. I just laugh. And it’s just that’s there.
00:18:12:01 – 00:18:12:17
Bilna:
They have.
00:18:12:19 – 00:18:15:00
Aziz:
Their opinion that they write whatever.
00:18:15:00 – 00:18:22:09
Bilna:
They want and. Nice. And have you ever had to face it even when you post your kids pictures? Also, any time did you have to face any such thing?
00:18:22:12 – 00:18:24:29
Aziz:
No, not kids. That’s not not my kid.
00:18:25:03 – 00:18:25:24
Bilna:
That’s great.
00:18:25:28 – 00:18:26:29
Aziz:
Yeah.
00:18:27:01 – 00:18:40:21
Bilna:
Now, when it comes to business and music, right. What does that look like? The studio, the setting of the studio and the targets for that as well. How do you get new customers to come to the studio? What’s the process of that? Oh.
00:18:40:24 – 00:18:46:18
Aziz:
Well, the process was in the beginning of building the studio. It was amazing, you know, I was loving it. It’s like baby growing.
00:18:46:24 – 00:18:47:19
Bilna:
Yes.
00:18:47:21 – 00:18:55:13
Aziz:
And when we finished, I was like, I worked hard for the whole year. Yes. And then I was like, wow. The result was amazing.
00:18:55:13 – 00:18:56:02
Bilna:
Nice.
00:18:56:03 – 00:18:59:26
Aziz:
And people artists are approaching the studio.
00:18:59:28 – 00:19:00:17
Bilna:
Okay.
00:19:00:17 – 00:19:13:08
Aziz:
The managers in the studio is taking care of the studio because they’ve seen the quality I have of the studio, the interior, all that. It’s a happy place. When you come in, you feel like you’re home. Okay, so people are loving it and a lot of customer are coming now.
00:19:13:08 – 00:19:19:04
Bilna:
Okay, so your main strategy is just mainly through your influence. They come.
00:19:19:04 – 00:19:22:25
Aziz:
No, we have a website and we have a marketing team who’s working on all of these.
00:19:22:29 – 00:19:37:21
Bilna:
That does. Yes. And you are also a serial entrepreneur. You’re a part of different businesses. Yeah. When it comes to developing your team, you said you already have a team. Yeah. How do you recruit your team? How to hire the right people for your team?
00:19:37:21 – 00:19:41:16
Aziz:
Yeah, I love people down to earth, okay? I love honest, straight people.
00:19:41:16 – 00:19:42:13
Bilna:
Okay.
00:19:42:16 – 00:19:45:27
Aziz:
Hardworking people. Nice. I hire people who looks like me.
00:19:45:28 – 00:19:51:04
Bilna:
Okay. Basically, in terms of the way they approach things.
00:19:51:05 – 00:20:02:15
Aziz:
Of course. Of course. The way they are. The way, you know, I try them for a month and with them for a whole month. I see how they act, how they talk, how they had the stuff stressed. Because in our business, a lot of stress, you know.
00:20:02:16 – 00:20:05:20
Bilna:
Yes, there’s a lot of last minute things happening.
00:20:05:22 – 00:20:08:02
Aziz:
So that’s why that’s how I.
00:20:08:03 – 00:20:14:26
Bilna:
Okay. And what about developing the systems in your business? Do you use some business consulting or.
00:20:14:29 – 00:20:15:22
Aziz:
Yes, I do.
00:20:15:25 – 00:20:18:17
Bilna:
To set up the whole business process.
00:20:18:19 – 00:20:35:25
Aziz:
I’m I’m a very business minded person, so I know the whole strategy about business the way I must. Of course, I have a business manager as well as I’m a team player. Yes, I love to ask people, you know, I’m not just like this is the idea. This is how we do it. I know I’m a team player.
00:20:35:28 – 00:20:39:02
Aziz:
I ask, we talk, and then we make things happen.
00:20:39:06 – 00:20:48:23
Bilna:
Before you invest into any business, like what are the criteria you look at, you know, before you go ahead with the business. Okay. These are the things that I need to do before that.
00:20:48:26 – 00:20:53:28
Aziz:
Know, first of all, I need to believe in it, of course, and I need to see myself in that.
00:20:54:00 – 00:20:54:25
Bilna:
Yes.
00:20:54:27 – 00:21:03:24
Aziz:
And then I look, if this thing have a potential in a couple of years. Yes. And what we can do in the future. Okay. That’s how I think.
00:21:04:00 – 00:21:04:15
Bilna:
Okay.
Navigating the Business World in Music: Insights from the King of Arab Pop
Aziz:
That’s the area. What what kind of business we’re doing. So there’s a lot of aspects have to be like.
00:21:10:14 – 00:21:11:03
Bilna:
Okay, nice.
00:21:11:03 – 00:21:12:16
Aziz:
Hundred percent. I’ll tell you, it.
00:21:12:17 – 00:21:13:13
Bilna:
Has to match.
00:21:13:17 – 00:21:17:04
Aziz:
Yeah, of course it has so much because the money, right?
00:21:17:04 – 00:21:27:05
Bilna:
Yes. So like when you first started your first business, right? Did you ever feel scared to invest into it? Now, what is this
00:21:27:05 – 00:21:31:13
Aziz:
No, no, no. I’m not that kind of person. If I believe in something that goes by that you.
00:21:31:13 – 00:21:32:05
Bilna:
You are a risk taker.
00:21:32:05 – 00:21:35:29
Aziz:
Yeah, I love risk. If you don’t take risk, you will never reach anywhere.
00:21:36:00 – 00:21:39:26
Bilna:
Makes things. So it’s it’s all about taking the risk to the right.
00:21:39:28 – 00:21:40:17
Aziz:
That’s life.
00:21:40:22 – 00:21:41:06
Bilna:
Right?
00:21:41:13 – 00:21:42:09
Aziz:
You need to take risk.
00:21:42:09 – 00:21:46:22
Bilna:
You have to have any failures and any of those risks that you have taken.
00:21:46:24 – 00:21:49:16
Aziz:
No. So far, so good. Thanks. Good.
00:21:49:18 – 00:21:54:15
Bilna:
And what are your best business learnings like some challenges that you might have overcome?
00:21:54:17 – 00:21:57:00
Aziz:
I had it in the beginning. I was too good hearted.
00:21:57:06 – 00:21:57:21
Bilna:
Okay.
00:21:57:22 – 00:22:06:25
Aziz:
You know, I treated you should treat people very good. Very good. But sometimes those people who when you treat them good, they think they own.
00:22:07:01 – 00:22:07:15
Bilna:
Yes.
00:22:07:21 – 00:22:13:12
Aziz:
The place or the business, you know. So you need to be very professional, very direct, very straightforward.
00:22:13:15 – 00:22:17:13
Bilna:
Okay. So is it like treating good the right people also?
00:22:17:20 – 00:22:28:11
Aziz:
But you need to of course, you have to treat people good. Yes. That’s my thing in life. I treat people like my family. But there is certain people when you treat them like this, they take you for granted.
00:22:28:11 – 00:22:28:26
Bilna:
Okay.
00:22:28:26 – 00:22:32:22
Aziz:
Okay. So that’s was my first mistake during my business in the beginning. Okay.
00:22:32:22 – 00:22:34:08
Bilna:
And how do you correct it now?
00:22:34:08 – 00:22:37:25
Aziz:
Like I know now I’m very they know when it’s time to work. It’s work.
00:22:37:28 – 00:22:39:14
Bilna:
Okay. So you have to work.
00:22:39:16 – 00:22:44:24
Aziz:
After work They can be my family, my brothers, my sister, anything. I have no problem. But during work, it’s work.
00:22:44:27 – 00:22:47:03
Bilna:
Okay, So that work is like, very.
00:22:47:10 – 00:22:48:26
Aziz:
It’s very precious to me.
00:22:48:27 – 00:22:54:19
Bilna:
Okay. And do you, like said, like when you hired them, you tell this is this, this is what is expected. This is of.
00:22:54:19 – 00:22:58:24
Aziz:
Course, you have to tell them what you need from them so they know what they’re going into.
00:22:58:27 – 00:22:59:15
Bilna:
Oh, again, that’s.
00:22:59:17 – 00:23:07:12
Aziz:
I always I’m very straightforward. I’m very honest. I tell them this is what I want. This is what I want you to get for me and this is what you get.
00:23:07:15 – 00:23:18:08
Bilna:
Okay? And in your music career, what is your most emotional moment in your career? Oh, God, it could be happy or it could be sad or whatever, you know?
00:23:18:08 – 00:23:25:22
Aziz:
No, I’m always happy. My music is always happy. So. But I think was first time when I was on stage.
00:23:25:25 – 00:23:27:13
Bilna:
Oh, nice. Where was it?
00:23:27:17 – 00:23:31:12
Aziz:
It was in Lebanon, my first concert in 2004.
00:23:31:13 – 00:23:31:28
Bilna:
Okay.
00:23:31:28 – 00:23:34:22
Aziz:
May I think that the mum was in Lebanon too.
00:23:34:23 – 00:23:35:16
Bilna:
Okay.
00:23:35:19 – 00:23:44:00
Aziz:
And my sisters and my grandmother. Okay, they came and they started to scream my name. It was like over 10,000 people.
00:23:44:02 – 00:23:44:25
Bilna:
Okay.
00:23:44:28 – 00:23:59:05
Aziz:
And they start. I was still backstage. I didn’t go up on stage yet and I think yeah, my sister sent me a message. We are here. We are so proud of you. Okay, I started crying.
00:23:59:07 – 00:24:03:10
Bilna:
Was that the first moment that you got that kind of appreciation from your family?
00:24:03:10 – 00:24:03:29
Aziz:
Yeah.
00:24:04:01 – 00:24:11:25
Bilna:
Okay. Nice. And how is a feeling like that? The first concert. Right? So how does it feel to go in front of such a huge audience . Oh, it.
00:24:11:25 – 00:24:31:08
Aziz:
Oh, it. Was crazy the first time. 10,000 people. Yes. You going up to the stage, you have 10,000 people screaming your name and you’re singing your song. Yes. And I was like 16, 17 years old. I don’t remember. Yes. So it was a great feeling. My managers were hugging me and it was special. I still remember it as it was yesterday and it was great.
00:24:31:09 – 00:24:43:19
Aziz:
The concert was amazing. I was supposed to sing for an hour and a half. I sang 2 hours of that. Oh, okay. Yeah. And people was incredible, you know, it was singing all the songs and yeah, it was crazy.
00:24:43:22 – 00:24:50:26
Bilna:
And how is it different? Singing from studio was a singing in front of the audience live. So how, how is that difference?
00:24:51:01 – 00:24:52:07
Aziz:
Oh, it’s a big difference.
00:24:52:07 – 00:24:53:10
Bilna:
Which one do you enjoy?
00:24:53:10 – 00:25:08:26
Aziz:
The more I enjoy the concerts, of course, because it’s something true. You’re singing, you live, you have your band. People are like with you and singing and they are shouting your name. And so of course it’s amazing feeling.
00:25:09:00 – 00:25:14:28
Bilna:
Did you ever dream of that in your childhood or in your younger days?
00:25:15:01 – 00:25:15:13
Aziz:
No never.
00:25:15:16 – 00:25:18:28
Bilna:
Did you not have the stage fear? And you.
00:25:18:28 – 00:25:25:08
Aziz:
Know, because this is where we go back to the modeling. Yeah, I had it since the modeling when I used to do catwalks.
00:25:25:08 – 00:25:26:02
Bilna:
Yes, Yes.
00:25:26:05 – 00:25:28:06
Aziz:
You know, so I was already experiencing.
00:25:28:06 – 00:25:29:12
Bilna:
That already and.
00:25:29:12 – 00:25:31:21
Aziz:
That helped me a lot in my music.
00:25:31:21 – 00:25:36:27
Bilna:
So that was like you had that the whole stage fear for that already.
00:25:36:27 – 00:25:38:29
Aziz:
Yeah, that.
00:25:39:01 – 00:25:43:16
Bilna:
And how important is looks in music industry today.
00:25:43:17 – 00:25:54:10
Aziz:
Yeah, it’s very important. Yes, it’s important to look good to have the charisma of a singer, you know, and to have a good voice of course. But it’s a whole package is nowadays.
00:25:54:16 – 00:25:58:13
Bilna:
What would you advise someone who doesn’t have a good look how, what would they do?
00:25:58:13 – 00:26:01:26
Aziz:
But it’s not about the look I’m not saying to look is.
00:26:01:28 – 00:26:02:02
Bilna:
The.
00:26:02:02 – 00:26:11:23
Aziz:
Groom. It’s all about it’s a whole package is I mean, you don’t have to look like I mean, you can have a great voice. Yes. You can be charismatic. Yes. Which is more that.
00:26:11:23 – 00:26:14:07
Bilna:
A lot more of that charm and charisma you bring on.
00:26:14:07 – 00:26:15:10
Aziz:
Exactly.
00:26:15:12 – 00:26:28:24
Bilna:
And how did you get that? Like I know you went into the modeling industry probably that also gave you a lot of confidence in that. But someone who doesn’t, how how can they build that? What would be your advice to build it? Of what?
00:26:28:24 – 00:26:30:10
Aziz:
Fall into the mirror.
00:26:30:12 – 00:26:30:27
Bilna:
Okay.
00:26:31:02 – 00:26:34:04
Aziz:
And we go back to what I said. Believe in yourself.
00:26:34:05 – 00:26:34:19
Bilna:
Yes.
00:26:34:19 – 00:26:36:27
Aziz:
Believe that you can make it and you will make it.
00:26:37:05 – 00:26:39:13
Bilna:
If that post of thought.
00:26:39:14 – 00:26:51:08
Aziz:
Of course. Of course it is. If you believe in yourself, you will make it. I knew one day I’m going to become someone big, but I didn’t know how, where and I believed in it. Okay, I’m here today.
00:26:51:13 – 00:26:56:24
Bilna:
Maybe in your childhood, right? While growing up, who influenced you the most to become that positive thinker?
00:26:56:24 – 00:26:58:15
Aziz:
Think my dad and mom.
00:26:58:22 – 00:27:03:19
Bilna:
Okay, but like, did they always give you that feeling that you are going to be big someday?
00:27:03:19 – 00:27:16:11
Aziz:
Yeah. I had the support always. What? I used to play soccer. Okay. And when I was a model, a lot of people believed the be. And even when I started as a singer, I had a lot of people supporting me in this.
00:27:16:15 – 00:27:17:05
Bilna:
Oh, nice.
00:27:17:05 – 00:27:23:17
Aziz:
And I always believed in myself. I always looked in the mirror. I said, One day I feel I’m going to be someone big, but.
00:27:23:24 – 00:27:23:27
Bilna:
Oh.
00:27:23:29 – 00:27:40:03
Aziz:
Nice. I had that thought. That’s how I thought about myself. And that’s that’s how I see people. And they should do the same thing when they look at the mirror. You should see, I’m going to be big in whatever I want to be big in Nice. Believe in yourself.
00:27:40:03 – 00:27:43:11
Bilna:
It’s all about the whole thought process. We have to.
00:27:43:14 – 00:27:48:26
Aziz:
Think that you will make it one day and you will trust me. You will. I speak of my own experience.
00:27:48:28 – 00:28:04:21
Bilna:
That’s nice. And I think the upbringing. Our parents also plays a huge role in that, right? Like because. Because they were totally okay. Yes, you can trust yourself. You need to grow, you know. How important is that? Do do the same thing for your son also.
00:28:04:21 – 00:28:17:14
Aziz:
Yes, of course I will support my son until the last minute. I will be there for him and I will tell her you are the best and believe in yourself. Of course, me. That’s how every parent should do.
00:28:17:14 – 00:28:30:04
Bilna:
Exactly. I think I am completely with you in that now, that music culture. Right. How is it different from Arab music culture versus what do you see in Europe or is it very similar?
00:28:30:05 – 00:28:35:17
Aziz:
No, it’s not. It’s a bit different because we are more conservative here in the Middle East.
00:28:35:17 – 00:28:36:01
Bilna:
Okay.
00:28:36:08 – 00:29:00:03
Aziz:
But still, it’s open. It’s still more open, though. The music industry, people are learning nice, more about the American or European culture and music wise. So I think is getting better. I love our history music here, Middle East. I love the way we’re going. People are, as I said, they’re being more open minded. I know. It’s lovely. I love it.
00:29:00:03 – 00:29:09:07
Bilna:
Nice. And do you also take inspiration from the traditional Arab music as well into your into your pop music like, you know?
00:29:09:07 – 00:29:18:18
Aziz:
No, to be honest, no, because everybody knows I’m a crazy guy. My music is all about Latin and pop music.
00:29:18:20 – 00:29:23:09
Bilna:
Okay. So these are the languages and Arabic, but.
00:29:23:12 – 00:29:27:13
Aziz:
I’m singing in Arabic, but my style is not Arabic at all.
00:29:27:14 – 00:29:30:10
Bilna:
Okay. Nice nice. And I think the.
00:29:30:10 – 00:29:31:07
Aziz:
Typical Arab.
00:29:31:07 – 00:29:33:27
Bilna:
Is and I think they call you the King of Arab.
00:29:33:27 – 00:29:35:28
Aziz:
Pop. Yes, I did that.
00:29:36:00 – 00:29:37:13
Bilna:
How did that title come?
00:29:37:20 – 00:29:40:06
Aziz:
It I think it was like Music Award in America.
00:29:40:08 – 00:29:40:29
Bilna:
Okay.
00:29:41:02 – 00:29:46:27
Aziz:
They made it here in Dubai. The name of the concert was I think Kyal.
00:29:47:04 – 00:29:47:20
Bilna:
Okay.
00:29:47:27 – 00:30:00:13
Aziz:
I got this thing. They called me the King of Arab Pop because I had two big hits lately, okay? And they love my music. So they they found me the King of Arab Pop.
00:30:00:16 – 00:30:03:27
Bilna:
And I think. How did it feel getting a title like that?
00:30:03:29 – 00:30:22:25
Aziz:
Well, to be honest, it’s just another title. That’s not what’s important. But I mean, thank thank them for whatever they want to call me. I appreciate it, of course. But it’s just another for me. It doesn’t matter. You know, I do my music, I do what I have to do. And then if people see that, it’s very good.
00:30:23:03 – 00:30:34:15
Aziz:
I’m very happy to hear that if they feel I’m the king of pop, I’m very happy for you as well. So but to me, it’s just it’s just a name.
00:30:34:15 – 00:30:35:29
Bilna:
for you Music is the end of it.
00:30:35:29 – 00:30:36:27
Aziz:
Yes of course my music speaks
00:30:36:27 – 00:30:51:17
Bilna:
Music speaks. Yes. Yes. And has your music also impacted? I mean, your career as a music and you are a celebrity, right? Did that impact your business also, like, do you think it positively impacts gives you a leverage there?
00:30:51:23 – 00:30:59:19
Aziz:
Of course it does. Since I’m a celebrity, my name will help in business as well. Yes, because, you know, people look. That looks up for you.
00:30:59:21 – 00:31:00:07
Bilna:
Yes.
Closing Remarks and Gratitude with Lebanese Pop Star
Aziz:
And when you’re doing good as a singer, people wants to have to deal with.
00:31:05:17 – 00:31:13:22
Bilna:
You to deal with. Yeah, right. Yes. And and I’m sure you’ll be getting a lot of requests from different people. Can I be your partner? You know.
00:31:13:22 – 00:31:16:14
Aziz:
Yeah. So there’s a lot of requests daily it.
00:31:16:16 – 00:31:23:21
Bilna:
Yeah. So how do you deal with that? Like how do you pick. Okay, this is the right partnership to go ahead with, you know?
00:31:23:23 – 00:31:34:06
Aziz:
Well, to be honest, I don’t believe in partnership in business. Yes, but I mean, I’m open for any suggestions. I listen to people I hear, okay, if there’s something I like and believe in, I will do.
00:31:34:06 – 00:31:50:12
Bilna:
It, which would be okay. And before we go to the end of the session, what would be your advice to the middle industry? Who wants to get into the pop music to a young Arab kid? What would be your advice.
00:31:50:12 – 00:31:51:16
Aziz:
Again and again, go.
00:31:51:16 – 00:31:52:01
Bilna:
About it.
00:31:52:01 – 00:32:05:13
Aziz:
First of all, believe in yourself. Yes. Work hard on yourself. Reach out to people in the industry, labels, whatever. And if you believe that you have the true talent, you could always come to me.
00:32:05:15 – 00:32:08:04
Bilna:
Amazing do you also coach them or like.
00:32:08:04 – 00:32:09:16
Aziz:
Yes, of course. Very nice.
00:32:09:18 – 00:32:32:22
Bilna:
thank you so much for being on our show and inviting our served. And thank you so much to listeners to listen to this show. And I’m I’m hoping you heard something really nice from him that there’s a lot of advice that you can take in your life as well, especially if you’re an artist who wants to go into the music industry.
00:32:32:24 – 00:32:34:14
Bilna:
Thank you so much.
00:32:34:16 – 00:32:35:25
Aziz:
Thank you very much for having me.
00:32:35:25 – 00:32:36:28
Bilna:
Thank you. Thank you.
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