RIYADH: Saudi X Factor winner Hamza Hawsawi is revving up to perform the Dakar Rally’s official anthem at the race’s closing ceremony.
The singer will be lead vocalist when the tune “Million Miles,” launched by Qiddiya Investment Co., is sung live for the first time.
The song celebrates the inspiring journey of the Kingdom, its milestones and young talent.
“I was very fortunate to work with an amazing team to make this whole project come to life,” Hawsawi told Arab News.
“‘Million Miles’ means a lot to me not just for the fact that it is the anthem for the biggest and toughest endurance race in the world for decades, but because it is also a personal anthem to me as an artist navigating the terrains to success.”
In a challenging journey to create the perfect anthem in record time for the first rally of its kind in the Kingdom, producer Rayan Bailouni and executive producer Saif Saud Salem, worked with Hawsawi to echo the dreams and goals of the country’s Vision 2030 reform plan.
‘Million Miles’ means a lot to me not just for the fact that it is the anthem for the biggest and toughest endurance race in the world for decades, but because it is also a personal anthem to me as an artist navigating the terrains to success.
Hamza Hawsawi, Saudi X Factor winner
Bailouni said: “One of the key points we wanted to focus on was how important the journey to getting somewhere can be. It is where you create memories and live stories to tell afterwards.
“The song needed to have both musical and emotional drive for anyone to feel motivated and empowered. It’s about taking the opportunity to do something special.”
Hawsawi will headline the rally’s closing ceremony on the Qiddiya site outside Riyadh on Jan. 17, preforming the single to an audience of more than 60,000 fans.
