After a lengthy career in which he topped British and Indian music charts, the reggae artist Apache Indian's groovy track Boom Shack-a-Lak can still get crowds on the dance floor. The 47-year-old British vocalist of Indian origin – he is Steven Kapur offstage – completes 25 years in the music industry this year with seven Top 40 UK hits to his credit and selling more than 11 million albums worldwide.
Kapur shows no signs of slowing down, with his recent album It Is What It Is striking a chord with the younger generation. The artist, whose bhangragga tunes (bhangra and dancehall) were all the rage in the 1990s, will be performing live in Dubai on Friday for Indian Independence Day. Apache tells us how he wants to reverse the diminishing appeal of reggae and his intention of bringing the Apache Indian Music Academy to the UAE.
Why did you decide to promote your new album in the UAE?
Dubai has always been one of my favourite destinations. This year, I’m trying to go to all my favourite places because I am celebrating 25 years in the business.
What changes have you seen in the industry?
My years in the industry have been great. I’ve been around the world seven times and I’ve never stopped touring. My music has appealed to all kinds of reggae, world-music and Asian-music fans. I think the biggest change in the industry has been the internet – it’s great because the world is our market now.
Can you tell us about the new album It Is What It Is?
The new album was recorded in America with the producer Jim Bean. He has worked with Britney Spears, Timbaland and Nelly Furtado. Some people have said this is my best album to date, so I am very proud of it. It has a different kind of feel, but still has Hindi, Punjabi and lots of reggae – all the things I’m known for and love.
What are your expansion plans with the Apache Indian Music (AIM) Academy?
I’ve always wanted to work with the community and the academy is in the Handsworth campus of the South and City College in Birmingham, UK, which has 22,000 students. I’m sharing my experience of music and we impart life skills there, which has shown massive results in the past six months. It is free for young people. We want to open up such academies around the world and are talking to people in India and New York. I’m also speaking to sponsors in the UAE because this is an initiative that breaks barriers in the community.
How do you intend to raise the profile of reggae music to the popularity it once had?
There was a lot of reggae that was played in the 1990s, with Shaggy, Sean Paul and myself. Over the years I’ve not seen much of that and that could be because young people are enjoying different styles of music. The stations have changed because the music business has changed. They are playing a lot of pop music – record companies control the stations and are playing it safe. So this kind of music has taken a dip and gone back underground. We are trying to get reggae back onto the mainstream stations.
What can the audience look forward to on Friday?
I am going to sing all my big hits – Chok There, Boom Shack-a-Lak and songs from my new album. It is going to be a great uptempo show for the entire family. I hope my music finds new young fans, too.
Apache Indian is at The Music Room in Dubai tomorrow. Tickets for the show cost Dh70. Visit www.themusicroomdubai.com
aahmed@thenational.ae
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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RESULTS
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra
7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m
Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
More about Middle East geopolitics
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
The view from The National
