NOT SO ‘TINY’
Musicians in the Middle East have to let go of their egos and start working together to raise awareness about Western music in this part of the world, according to a top Bahraini musician. Hassan bin Shams (popularly known as Tiny) released his first solo music video on VEVO this month.
The Muharraq-born RnB/Soul singer and songwriter is currently settled in Dubai and in one word he describes his music as 'bipolar'.
Bahrain does not have enough platforms for Arab Western musicians and besides they have to compete with international stars to make a mark, Tiny told News of Bahrain.
Read the full excerpt of the interview.
1) Tell us about your home and family in Bahrain?
I’m a child of the world – both from Bahrain and Seychelles. Originally from Muharraq, Bahrain. I have three brothers and two sisters, and I’m the youngest of them all. I enjoy spending time with my family and I’m all about spending time with family and bonding. Home is where the heart is and that’s where my heart belongs.
2) How did you realize music was your path? Is music in your genes?
It started at a very young age, I think grade 5 – when I want to Naseem international school. That was when for the first time I performed live on stage and knew this was my passion and I’ve been doing it ever since. As for music being in my genes: I don’t think so, since I’m the only one who’s musically oriented, but I’m definitely way too passionate about it.
3) Have you had any training in music?
I have trained myself, through watching YouTube tutorials and practicing by listening to artists such as Donell Jones, and other 90’s artists. Basically, I’m self-made and proud of it.
4) What was your parent’s reaction when you decided to follow music?
At the start, obviously, they were not very supportive, as they didn’t know how serious I was about it, until they started to realize when I started to make my name and build my brand, and people started to label me as a vocalist. That was really the turning point in letting my family know I was truly serious about it. I started winning competitions in Bahrain, and started recording my own material, which gained me a lot of recognition, and ever since then they’ve been my No. 1 supporters and fans.
5) What is your educational qualification?
I have a bachelor’s degree in HR Management. I graduated from the Canadian University Dubai, in 2012.
6) Are you a full-time musician, or do you have any other job?
I’m a full-time musician. Music is truly what I enjoy and I feel like I need to give it my all, including my time and effort.
7) Do you think that are many fans of R&B in Bahrain and the ME?
Yes, I do – mainly because the population turns to what’s played on the radio. As for local talent, the public turn mainly to rap, due to the fact that there aren’t many R&B vocalists. So it’s all up to us R&B artists to raise awareness that we are in the scene. Anyways, it’s all about what’s old is gold – R&B is one of the most popular genres out there ever since the ages. With that being said, the scene is growing.
8) Did you leave Bahrain and settle in Dubai to help your singing career?
I did leave Bahrain to achieve more as a musician because back in 2008 there wasn’t much of a scene for vocalists, and not enough platforms to showcase our talent. Whereas Dubai was booming at that point and I believe I came in at the right time, where there was a lot of support for local artists – and me being in Dubai, I achieved way more than I would have in Bahrain.
9) How often do you visit Bahrain?
Bahrain is home and I’m there almost every month. I feel very connected to where I belong, both Bahrain and Seychelles.
10) Who came up with the name ‘Tiny’?
The irony, right? [laughs]. It all started at the Bahrain Rugby Club, where I was in a football team, and the coach couldn’t seem to remember my name – so he called me Tiny and ever since then it stuck, and no one refers to me by my real name, no one other than my own family, really.
11) Tell us about your first solo on VEVO?
Firstly, a company that’s based in Sweden and Dubai called Urban Mass distributed it. I wanted to be the first Bahraini-English vocalist to be verified on VEVO, and what do you know? I got it. So far the video’s doing very well, with under 11k views under 2 weeks and it’s getting a lot of recognition in the Middle East and Africa, and I believe it’s a great way to put Bahrain on the map when it comes to R&B and music.
12) Do you get recognized by people when you step out in Dubai and Bahrain?
I do get recognized in Seychelles and around the Middle East. My popularity is starting to grow in London, as well, due to me visiting UK on a regular basis to work with certain musicians and producers.
13) Do aspirant singers from the Gulf and Bahrain approach you for advice and opportunity to sing?
I do get approached a lot through social media. It honestly makes me very happy to see younglings trying to make it in to the scene and is passionate about music - that they use me as an inspiration. I try to help them with open arms as much as I can, I ask them to send me their material and try to help better it as much as I could.
14) Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I see myself signed by a UK label, which is currently in the talks, and living in London. Strictly living the life of a musician – doing shows and tours and following my passion.
15) Who is the biggest inspiration in your music career?
My surroundings and real life stories - as simple as that.
16) What is the biggest compliment you have received?
When a fan of mine told me I motivated him to make his own music, and he is currently achieving a lot in South Africa. What’s interesting about him is that he lets his music speak, he does not show his appearance, nor is he in the public eye – that is a true musician.
17) What do you think you must improve on?
Getting used to people coming up to me and asking for signatures or photos. That’s just awkward, but I have to get used to it.
18) What can you do to popularise R&B in the Middle East?
Our musicians in the ME have to start working together and let go of their egos, so that we can raise more awareness about the genre and the musicians in the ME.
19) What is the biggest hindrance/challenge musicians like you face?
Unfortunately we compete with the international stars. We have to fight our way to the top to get to a platform (even if just YouTube), thank God for me, I was brought into the scene by a team that goes by the name Kilma Studios in Dubai, and I shared many big stages with Desert Heat, which gained me my recognition as Tiny, today.
20) Who do you compare yourself with?
I honestly don’t compare myself with anyone but the public seem to say I sound and look like The Weeknd, which I don’t honestly see at all – but hey, he’s relevant, and topping charts, so I guess it’s a good thing.
21) Do you know any people with talent for music but are afraid of taking it up seriously for fear of not being successful?
I know quite a few, but it’s never been about not being successful, but rather about the culture and how they’ll see and not accept it. As for me, I’ve never faced that because I’m the type of person that believes that you’ll never know about something if you don’t try it, I’m all about taking big risks.
22) Can Bahrain expect a show from you anytime soon?
They can expect a show from me, that’s for sure. Ask, and you shall receive. ;)
Tiny’s social media handles:
Twitter - @tinymusiq
Facebook - TinyMusiq
SoundCloud - @tinymusiq
Instagram - @tinymusiq
VEVO - TinyMusiqVEVO
Compiled by Begena George Pradeep
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