Something about Habila "Hatch" Malgwi's rendition of I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys, however crowd-pleasing, feels just a little too polished. As Malgwi makes his way back to his friends, a bystander close to the stage bellows to a pal: "He killed it!"
That's the kind of enthusiasm driving Lip Sync War, a popular new event at the Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi's rooftop space Up and Below, which features absolutely no vocals on stage, but all sorts of singalongs off it.
It turns out that the 29-year-old Malgwi, who works for a United Nations partner called Arton Capital, used to be in a band of his own called SB5. “We were like the Backstreet Boys of Nigeria,” he says and, explaining their ultimate demise, adds: “I grew up and then I had to make money.”
Lip Sync War is just as it sounds. Contestants put on a performance by mouthing, or at least trying to, the words to their favourite songs. Their ability to match the actual words and connect with the crowd determines their success. The event, which launched in Dubai last year, is organised by Dorian Rogers, a teacher and founder of the popular and long-running poetry open mic night Rooftop Rhythms, as well as the newer Adult Game Night and the Silent Party.
He based this latest event on Lip Sync Battles, a popular show in the United States hosted by the rapper LL Cool J. Jimmy Fallon also does a version of Lip Sync Battles on his nightly talk show, with videos of himself pitted against stars such as Melissa McCarthy and Emma Stone frequently going viral.
Each of the three Abu Dhabi events so far has been a success, attracting about two dozen performers and a full audience who often dance, sing or even yell along to whatever song is playing. The competition is fierce, but the atmosphere is warm, as though everyone already knows each other. "I would attribute it to what we do," explains Rogers, over the din of the crowd at the event earlier this month. "We're about community, we like to support people."
The "singers" and their entourages hail from countries as diverse as Columbia, China, South Africa, Nairobi and Egypt, including an enthusiastic half-dozen blue-and-gold-clad members of the American sorority Sigma Gamma Rho, who do a Jill Scott number. On this night, there is also a rendition of Ike and Tina Turner's Proud Mary (duos are inherently ill-advised, however, as only one microphone is provided) that ends in a touch of mock domestic violence that goes over with a bit of a thud; a shaky rendition of Abba's Dancing Queen – from a woman who seems unbothered that she knows only half the words; a passable Eminem's Lose Yourself; and an ever-predictable turn of Sir Mix-A-Lot's Baby Got Back.
Judging from the bravado of those who take to the stage, some who hop off confidently before the song is even over, showmanship is not the only key to a great and memorable lip-syncing performance. "I think it's song choice," says Rogers, as a Columbian singer takes the stage. "Of course knowing the words, but as soon as he started, people knew it was Despacito."
At each of the monthly events, the crowd chooses a winner, who gets a brunch for two and a spot in the Lip Sync War finals in April. That will feature “the best of the best”, explains Rogers, who is expecting costumes.
Bobby Carter, a 41-year-old dad from the United States currently earning his MBA, takes to the stage to back up his friend Ebony Brown on Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. "It's Abu Dhabi's best-kept secret," Carter says. "There should be a hundred more people here. I can't get enough."
Brown, a born performer who nails her performance, leaves the stage to loud cheers. “Yas Queen,” yells out Andrew Wolhuter, a 29-year-old life coach from Johannesburg, who will later bust out an over-the-top lip sync of Anastacia’s Paid My Dues.
"I loved it," says Brown. "I've done karaoke, but I've never done lip-synching. I used to perform in high school. This is nothing to me."
Iman Mohammed, a 26-year-old physical therapist, is a bundle of nerves, however. She attended the event twice before building up enough confidence to get up and perform Katy Perry's Dark Horse, a fitting choice, since she not only blew everyone away with her spot-on rapping, but also won the night. "I was just doing it for fun," she says. "The crowd was amazing."
The next Lip Sync War event will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi, on January 5. To sign up, go to www.facebook.com/groups/rooftoprhythms
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Read more:
Listen: Today's top songs remixed as 1980s hits
Wiz Khalifa to celebrate the Abu Dhabi F1 at Mad Yas Island
Despacito tops the pops for most played before-work tune
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Honeymoonish
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Premier League results
Saturday
Crystal Palace 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
Cardiff City 2 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Bournemouth 2
Leicester City 3 Fulham 1
Newcastle United 3 Everton 2
Southampton 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Manchester City 3 Watford 1
Sunday
Liverpool 4 Burnley 2
Chelsea 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
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%3Cp%3EDungeons%20%26amp%3B%20Dragons%20began%20as%20an%20interactive%20game%20which%20would%20be%20set%20up%20on%20a%20table%20in%201974.%20One%20player%20takes%20on%20the%20role%20of%20dungeon%20master%2C%20who%20directs%20the%20game%2C%20while%20the%20other%20players%20each%20portray%20a%20character%2C%20determining%20its%20species%2C%20occupation%20and%20moral%20and%20ethical%20outlook.%20They%20can%20choose%20the%20character%E2%80%99s%20abilities%2C%20such%20as%20strength%2C%20constitution%2C%20dexterity%2C%20intelligence%2C%20wisdom%20and%20charisma.%20In%20layman%E2%80%99s%20terms%2C%20the%20winner%20is%20the%20one%20who%20amasses%20the%20highest%20score.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif (Al Jazira), Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah), Mahmoud Khamis (Al Nasr), Yousef Jaber (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalifa Al Hammadi (Jazira), Salem Rashid (Jazira), Shaheen Abdelrahman (Sharjah), Faris Juma (Al Wahda), Mohammed Shaker (Al Ain), Mohammed Barghash (Wahda), Abdulaziz Haikal (Shabab Al Ahli), Ahmed Barman (Al Ain), Khamis Esmail (Wahda), Khaled Bawazir (Sharjah), Majed Surour (Sharjah), Abdullah Ramadan (Jazira), Mohammed Al Attas (Jazira), Fabio De Lima (Al Wasl), Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Khalfan Mubarak (Jazira), Habib Fardan (Nasr), Khalil Ibrahim (Wahda), Ali Mabkhout (Jazira), Ali Saleh (Wasl), Caio (Al Ain), Sebastian Tagliabue (Nasr).
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
RESULTS
West Asia Premiership
Thursday
Jebel Ali Dragons 13-34 Dubai Exiles
Friday
Dubai Knights Eagles 16-27 Dubai Tigers
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
