Sole DXB finds its feet after a two-year absence.
The popular gathering, held at Dubai Design District and which concludes on Sunday night, made its anticipated return this weekend after the past two festivals were scrapped due to Covid-19.
From its beginnings in an Al Quoz warehouse as a "sneaker summit" in 2011, Sole DXB has grown to become a stylish hip-hop music and culture festival that reached a peak with a sell-out 2019 event featuring a blockbuster music line-up including genre legends Wu-Tang Clan and Blackstar.
While the success of the home-grown event is worthy of celebration, is Sole DXB running the risk of losing its winning boutique vibe as its popularity grows?
"I never looked at it that way," festival co-founder Rajat Malhotra tells The National. "We have always been going forward and trying new things and sounds that people may not expect from us. Fundamentally, when it comes to the music and things that come with the festival, we do it based purely on the things we like.
"With this festival, we wanted to have a real global line-up representing parts of the world that are not just the US and the UK and taking in Morocco and the Arab world."
A show of strength
Sole DXB doubles down on its key strength as an immersive discovery platform for hip-hop culture.
While the features of the festival — from stands featuring leading and boutique fashion brands to the two performance stages and basketball competition — were retained this year, the offerings have seemed richer and more vibrant.
This is encapsulated by the decision to have Hassan Hajjaj as the festival's first official host.
Inspired by the vibrant Madina district of Marrakesh, the celebrated Moroccan photographer’s vibrant visual imprint permeates the venue.
The main entry gates resemble a Lego installation, the colours of which are inspired by the Moroccan flag. The timing couldn't be better, with all eyes on Morocco as they lead the Arab world and North Africa into the Fifa World Cup semifinals.
Inside the venue is a pavilion built like a riad and festooned with Hajjaj’s portraits.
With a DJ playing Moroccan hip-hop and trap music on an elevated stage, the space functions as both a mini gallery and chilled-out meeting spot.
Those Madina vibes also extend to the several outdoor markets on-site featuring a trail of small sneaker outlets, where customers engage in spirited haggling over the latest shoe drops from New Balance and Fred Perry.
Even the major pavilions by brands such as Puma are minimal, with a major focus on customer education on sneaker culture rather than sheer commerce.
Once again, the food outlets onsite are tastefully curated and feature everything from the Lewis Hamilton-backed vegan-friendly Neat Burger to home-grown favourites such as the Caribbean-West African restaurant West to West Kitchen and Project Chaiwala, the latter coming with its own majlis.
A must-visit is Dubai pop-up Rascals, whose take on classic deli staples, including the pastrami sandwich, is worth the festival visit alone.
A rich musical offering
While this year's Sole DXB artist line-up seemingly lacks the big names of past events, it has encompassed some thrilling discoveries.
"The line-up this year is all about the idea of discovering new music," says festival co-founder Joshua Cox.
"Our priority is for people to have a great experience and we chose artists who, while some people may not know, will guarantee to have them leaving the festival thinking that it was a great experience."
It has proven to be a shrewd move.
After setting the internet alight with viral videos of freestyle performances, US hip-hop quartet Coast Contra make a rare overseas visit with a frenzied set, further confirming their status as the genre's future stars.
Also making her mark was acclaimed female rapper Rapsody, whose nimble flow recalls the virtuosity of Missy Elliott and soulful odes to empowerment echo the humanist work of Lauryn Hill.
With American-Sudanese rapper Bas and UK hip-hop star Central Cee also delivering spirited sets and British soul singer Jorja Smith headlining Sunday's final night, Sole DXB returns with its heart and soul in place.
Sole DXB runs until December 11 at Dubai Design District. Tickets, starting at Dh100, are available at soledxb.com
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Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Ferrari
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes
·
Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
·
What is a portfolio stress test?
·
What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
·
How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
·
Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
