Ez Mil is the name on the lips of all hip-hop fans after he was signed by Eminem's Shady Records, Dr Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.
And he has already produced two albums and an EP through his own label FFP Records. Here's how they rank.
3. Act 1 (2020)
You won’t be the only one scratching your head wondering if you were indeed listening to an Ez Mil recording.
Then again, this is partly the reason why this wildly eclectic debut is interesting.
Released on the back of the hype Mil was receiving in Filipino hip-hop circles online, Act 1 is a mishmash of styles ranging from hard rock to hardcore hip-hop and pop.
Superly Real has Mil effectively channelling Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant – yes, really – over muscular rock riffs, while Lonely Days is a piano-led pop track in which Mil’s sweet and mellow croon reflects on the passing of time.
Meanwhile, the viral Panalo (Trap Carinosa) is another highlight. The track has an exuberant chorus as Mil confidently raps in Filipino languages Tagalog and Ilocano as well as English.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the musical breadth of Act 1 was the main factor behind Eminem and Dr Dre’s decision to sign Mil. Judging by the talent on display, the musical possibilities are endless for the artist.
2. Resonances (2020)
Another title for this intimate release could be “Ez Mil: Unplugged”.
Released three months after Act 1, the EP finds Mil curtailing some of the adventurism of his debut release for a more streamlined set of acoustic songs.
There are some charming tracks here recalling the sensitive folk-pop of Ed Sheeran such as Into It All and I’ve Known You Not.
That said, Mil’s strong wordplay still abounds in this release, such as in the sultry Plenty More, where he counts the ways he loves his partner: "Six strings on my guitar/ Feels like we’re twelve miles apart/ Counting stars I'm at 24, but baby you shine brighter.”
Calm and assured, Resonances is a confirmation of Mil’s songwriting craftsmanship.
1. DU4LI7Y (2022)
With the number in the title inspired by the area code of Mil's hometown of Olongapo City in the Philippines, DU4LI7Y – or Duality – his second album, successfully blends his disparate musical styles into a cohesive body of work.
Mil took a hands-on approach for this release, having produced and engineered all the tracks. He also leans into more commercial pop sounds, such as with Can You Keep A Secret, a throbbing RnB number with a smooth falsetto recalling the sounds of Justin Timberlake.
Ridin’ With the Moonlight, with its stuttering percussion and Mil’s emphatic vocals, is the kind of well-constructed pop fans of One Republic would appreciate.
Hip-hop fans are not left short-changed, however.
Admirers of Realest, Mil’s collaboration with Eminem, can sink their teeth into several strident hip-hop numbers such as 27 Bodies and Re-Up.
DU4LI7Y finds Mil in command of his craft as both a songwriter and a producer – a package that undoubtedly helped Eminem and Dr Dre sign the artist to their respective labels.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
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SPEC%20SHEET
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
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- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
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Spare
Profile
Company name: Spare
Started: March 2018
Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah
Based: UAE
Sector: FinTech
Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Mica
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3 stars
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Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
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Manchester United 1
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Moutinho (53')
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
