There is something Lady Gaga-esque about DD Foxx, the UAE’s super-talented songstress. Is it the mystique behind the carefully-crafted image, the clever song writing abilities, or the sheer determination to succeed? Ian Mason had a chat to find out for Tempo readers what keeps Miss DD going.
Whatever it is, 26-year-old DD is on the pathway to success with the release of her latest album DD Foxx: Had To Be Me in September through the Virgin label. The current single from it is Raise The Roof.
“Raise The Roof is about a vision that I repeatedly saw in my dreams,” explains DD. “The vision relates to me being backstage, getting ready and hearing the crowd call my name. Coming out on stage and I see strong bright lights. I’m singing and crowd starts singing with me. It’s a fun party dance track”.
This pretty much describes DD’s music. She says her ‘competitors’ are Katy Perry and Rihanna, although it’s unfair to compare her unique genre of music. “I would describe my style as a blend of pop, dance and R&B. A mix of old school and new with a Middle Eastern touch,” says DD.
DD writes her own material in collaboration with her producer, Kevin Bassett from New York. “Music to me is a story of life, experiences, understanding people and how different characters express themselves. In fact, everything in life inspires me – people, places, characters, personalities and experiences”.
“All artists and all types of music influence me in different ways. I listen to everything. But two artists who influence me the most are Ray Charles and Mary J Blige”.
Music is DD’s full-time career. “It is my passion and my life. I used to work in the PR field for a water treatment and desalination company. It was quite an interesting job. I used to go to studio after work and spent late night hours recording. But over time, this exercise became very draining so I had to make a decision about what was important to me – my current job or my music career. I had to sacrifice my job to pursue my dream”.
Despite her segue into music, DD is not lost to the PR field. Shedding her alter ego, she can be seen emceeing at shows around Dubai, including the GITEX Technology Week. It is only her hardcore fans that would recognize the smart, intelligent professional on stage as the mysterious, exotic and beautiful DD Foxx. Born in Riyadh, DD lived in Saudi Arabia for 13 years before moving to Dubai. She wants to stay true to her cultural roots whilst launching herself on the global scene.
“My ambition is to be the first Middle Eastern Arab artist to cross over and become an international artist. I went to New York in September where I had a couple of meetings with big labels in the music industry. It was great! I am travelling to the US this month to shoot two music videos – so things are really moving along now”.
DD describes the music scene in Dubai as “good, but not loud.”
“There is a lot of talent here. We need venues where all musicians can have the opportunity to get together and jam. Personally, it gets a bit frustrating when I can’t hear my music being played on the radio because I know my music is as good as anybody else’s out there”.
“As a musician in Dubai, you need that support and that extra push from the music industry in Dubai to help take you to the next level. That said, I believe that input equals output and I try to surround myself with the best people to motivate me to work harder and stay focused”.
Finally, the obvious question. Why ‘DD Foxx’?
“DD comes from the cartoon character from Dexter’s Laboratory. I was obsessed with that cartoon and Dexter’s sister. I looked like her when I was young with my skinny legs,” she says with a laugh, “so my parents called me DD. And Foxx describes my character – unpredictable and mysterious”.
The new album DD Foxx: Had To Be Me is available at all Virgin Megastores in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Jeddah, and Rotana in Riyadh.
For more info go to www.ddfoxx.com
By Ian Mason
