Ed Sheeran launches giant heart-shaped balloon in Dubai for new single Azizam

A giant heart-shaped balloon is floating above the boardwalk in Dubai’s JBR district as part of a global promotion for Ed Sheeran’s new single Azizam.

Leisure spot Bla Bla Dubai is one of 12 global locations highlighting the single, which will be released on Friday, alongside cities such as Berlin, Tokyo and New Delhi. Launched on Saturday, the balloon – marked with the Farsi title Azizam and its Arabic translation Azizi (“my dear”) – will remain on display through Sunday, according to Warner Music Middle East. The move comes ahead of Sheeran's UAE return next month, when he will headline the Off Limits festival at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Park on April 26.

Sheeran shared snippets of the track on March 19 on his social media channels, revealing it as the lead single from his coming eighth album Play, due later this year. Powered by a pacy dance beat, the song features the word Azizam in the chorus alongside the refrain “meet me on the floor tonight". The song is partly inspired by Sheeran’s collaboration with producer Ilya Salmanzadeh – the Swedish–Iranian songwriter known for co-writing hits such as Ariana Grande’s Problem and Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do.

Ed Sheeran will headline Abu Dhabi's Off Limits Festival in April. WireImage

Discussing the single on Instagram, Sheeran said the track draws on Iranian musical influences, which he found echoes aspects of traditional Irish folk. Sheeran noted how the song captures the buoyant spirit of the coming album.

“I wrote Azizam after Ilya suggested trying out music inspired by his Persian heritage and culture,” he said. “I love learning about music and different cultures the more I travel and connect with people. It was like opening a door to a completely new and exciting world. I loved how a lot of the rhythms, scales, melodies and instruments were different but similar to the Irish trad music I grew up with. It showed me that music connects us all – it really is a universal language. This whole album is about being playful, explorative and celebratory.”

A full version of the song recorded in Farsi has also been completed, Sheeran revealed during his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday. “It’s been really cool, man,” he said. “I feel like the Persian community has really embraced the song and what we’ve been doing with it. And I feel very honoured to be taken by the hand and shown different things.”

This isn’t the first time Sheeran infused global musical influences into his work. In 2017, he collaborated with Ghanaian producer Fuse ODG on the highlife-inspired tracks Bibia Be Ye Ye and Boa Me, the latter featuring Sheeran singing in Twi, a Ghanaian language.

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Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

Rating: 3/5

Fixtures

Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA

Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland

Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland

Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA

Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland

Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland

Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free

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Company Profile

Company name: Yeepeey

Started: Soft launch in November, 2020

Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani

Based: Dubai

Industry: E-grocery

Initial investment: $150,000

Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year

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Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES

June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15
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July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24
July 8: New Zealand v Lions