🔥🥁 One kit. One kid. Infinite swagger. 😎
They say rhythm is all about timing. If you’d asked me in 2022 where my drumming would take me, I’d probably have said “to the end of the next song.” But the last two years have been a literal crescendo, and I’m finally catching my breath long enough to write it all down.
Here’s how the journey from a local stage to a regional title went down.
2023: Setting the Tempo in the UAE
It all started with a simple goal: see how I stacked up against the best young musicians in the country. I entered the UAE Instrumental Category (U-18).
The energy was electric. Winning that category wasn’t just a “cool moment”—it was the spark that made me realize I wanted to take this as far as the sticks would carry me. It gave me the confidence to look past the local horizon and toward something much, much bigger.
2024: The GSAF—The Ultimate Showdown
This year, the stakes didn’t just get higher; they went through the roof. I entered the Gulf Arts and Sports Festival (GSAF).
This wasn’t just a “kids’ category” anymore. To get where I wanted to go, I had to compete across the board—both under and above 18 instrumental categories. The challenge was daunting: there was exactly one slot available. One spot to represent the entire GCC region at the Global Encounters (GE) Festival.
Imagine the pressure. You’re backstage, hearing incredible guitarists, pianists, and fellow percussionists from across the Gulf, all vying for that single golden ticket. When it was my turn to get behind the kit, I knew I couldn’t just play the notes; I had to own the room.
The Verdict: One Slot, One Drummer
Waiting for the results felt longer than a 20-minute prog-rock drum solo. But then, they announced it.
I won. Taking that top spot at GSAF means more than just a trophy. It means I have been selected as the sole instrumentalist to represent our region on the world stage at The GE Festival 2025. It’s an incredible honor, a bit terrifying, and 100% the reason I’ll be spending the next few months with blisters on my fingers and a smile on my face.
The kit is packed, the sticks are ready, and the next stop is the global stage. I’m just getting started.
To be continued… Keep an eye out for my next post, where I’ll break down exactly what went down when I finally hit the stage at the GE Festival!
