Alaa Wardi: A voice for alternative music

High acapella numbers by Alaa Wardi, a Saudi-born Iranian musician, are a big rage on YouTube with over a million views.
Wardi constantly features music covers on his YouTube channel, mainly relying on acappella singing and chaining human rhythmic accompaniment (including beat-boxing).
He is the definition of pure talent as he creates these vibes for everyone to enjoy. His remarkable acappella videos will make you re-watch them just to enjoy the talent this soul has.
in a chat with Arab News, Wardi explains his passion for what he does and how he does it:

1. You’re a star. Did you realize that your talent will get you to where you are right now?
No matter what people think of me I still consider myself the same old me. I don’t think I’m a star and I don’t like being called anything.
My talent was gifted to me by God and my talent has got me where I am now. It’s all because of God. I’m just a carrier of this gift from God to deliver to the world.

2. The viewers see the end product. The final video. Yet we are sure that behind these 4-5 minutes lay an astonishing amount of hard work and dedication. How long does it usually take for you to produce a YouTube video?
It is difficult and challenging, but it’s also lots of fun and it has gotten easier for me along the years. It usually takes me about a month to get a song/video together. It takes time because I’m doing all of it on my own, but when I see it come together and see how people react to it online, that’s an amazing feeling. I guess that’s the moment you feel alive.

3. We are interested to know about the support you received in the early stages of your career. Was there someone that pushed you and kept you going?
I wouldn’t say anyone specifically but yes, all my family and friends. And also people online, they are my true inspiration. I believe the reason we’re alive is to serve each other and make the world around us a better and happier place, and I’ve found my way to serve my cause. Watching people react positively to what I do makes me want to do it more and more.

4. Do you believe that FM Radio Play is as important as it was before?
I personally don’t listen to radio so I can’t answer that question.

5. In what ways do you believe your diverse background helped shaped your personality?
It certainly has a big role, in languages, styles of music and singing, appreciation for all kinds of music from various cultures, it has brought me closer to the truth that I’m a citizen of this planet, no matter where my origins are from, we are all the same and I’m only proud of being a human and not because I belong to somewhere, although sometimes I doubt if any pride is left in humanity!

6. How many languages do you speak and what are they?
Farsi, Arabic, English and Hindi/Urdu, I’m also planning to start learning Turkish.

7. You love to make music and you do it so beautifully. Tell us about your band “Hayajan.”
Hayajan is an original music project I started with my friends from Jordan, for the purpose of making good local music and being a part of the rising alternative Arabic music. It was also something different then what I do regularly on YouTube and hopefully we’ll have more albums to come.

8. Do you have any regrets?
I’d rather forget.

9. Who is Alaa Wardi currently listening to?
Phantogram, Rim Banna ...

10. As an acapella artist, how does it feel to perform for a live audience?
As an acappella artist it sucks! It is because I wouldn't be able to perform live like on YouTube, and no matter how good we try it would never be as perfect as people heard it online. But it sure feels awesome to sing on stage and see people react to your music in front of you; I’m still not that good live but I’m planning on getting there in the future.

11. Where do you want to reach through your music?
I’m fine with where I’ve reached so far and I’d love to make more music regardless of where it gets me.

12. How did your collaboration with Telfaz11 happen?
I’v been with Telfaz11 since they started and we’ve been in collaboration since then. The “Happy” cover video was just an obvious thing to happen between us.

13. Who are some of your favorite local musicians? And who would you like to work with?
All of them, El-Morabba3, Toot Ard, Aziz Maraka, Jadal, Rim Banna, and many more. If I mention them all it will take us all day. We have so much awesome original music in our region that is completely ignored by our media, hopefully that will change in future as it has started already.

14. Any last words for Arab News readers?
Stop hating, start loving. Forgive, forget and move on.

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