Producer Jordan Ullman, left, and singer Majid Al Maskati, were in the UAE for a Dubai Opera concert. Antonie Robertson / The National
Producer Jordan Ullman, left, and singer Majid Al Maskati, were in the UAE for a Dubai Opera concert. Antonie Robertson / The National
Producer Jordan Ullman, left, and singer Majid Al Maskati, were in the UAE for a Dubai Opera concert. Antonie Robertson / The National
Producer Jordan Ullman, left, and singer Majid Al Maskati, were in the UAE for a Dubai Opera concert. Antonie Robertson / The National

Home and away: How RnB duo Majid-Jordan forged a sound rooted in Canada and Bahrain


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

For Majid-Jordan, the grind never stops – whether in a Dubai hotel room or a Toronto studio.

Jordan Ullman, one half of the Canadian-Bahraini R&B duo, is moving aside production gear – including a turntable and keyboard sprawled on a chair – to make space for our interview, only hours before their recent Dubai Opera performance.

"At the end of the day, we are music heads and we have recorded many of our works away from the studio, from tour buses to hotels," says Ullman, a producer and multi-instrumentalist. "Even with the growing success, we don't really want to lose that approach of being able to create anywhere we go. Just last night I did a mix here in the hotel."

This nomadic creative process stems back to their earliest days. In 2010, Ullman and Bahraini singer Majid Al Maskati were college students making music in their dorm room when they were discovered on SoundCloud under the name Good People.

Their sound – moody production, reverb-heavy vocals and introspective lyrics about connection and isolation – became a hallmark of what would be known as SoundCloud RnB, a movement spearheaded in Toronto alongside acts such as The Weeknd and PartyNextDoor.

Majid Al Maskati, left, and Jordan Ullman. Photo: Sony Music Middle East
Majid Al Maskati, left, and Jordan Ullman. Photo: Sony Music Middle East

"We were just a couple of guys making music in our dorm, so we really had no frame of reference regarding what we were doing," Al Maskati recalls. "But I do remember we were hanging with fellow artists who were operating at a very high level, so we learnt a lot from that experience."

One of those artists was Noah Shebib, who would change their trajectory entirely. Impressed by the group's debut 2011 EP After Hours, Shebib signed them to Ovo Sound, the label he co-founded with Drake. It all came at a crucial moment for Al Maskati, who had just finished his university degree.

"That man gave me a life in Canada and literally helped me immigrate there," he says. "At the time, I was alone in Toronto with no family. He was the one who took responsibility, sponsored me, and even gave me my first laptop, microphone and access to resources."

The investment paid off with Majid-Jordan releasing four well-received albums, the newest of which is Good People. Named after their former moniker, it's no mistake.

Their latest release intentionally returns to their roots – both musically and geographically. The album, which features the languidly catchy Waiting For You (with Sade-inspired vocals from Naomi Sharon) and the cinematic Violet, was deliberately split between two recording locations: Toronto, where their journey began, and Manama, Bahrain, where Al Maskati's family lives.

Doing it this way, Ullman remarks, was to present a more fully rounded release transcending their Canadian roots. "A lot of the time you put music out in the world and it takes a shape that you didn't initially envisage," Ullman explains. "For example, us being spoken about as a Toronto R&B duo somehow became the accepted reality, even if it wasn't the full picture. So we intentionally started the album in Toronto and finished it in Bahrain to tell our complete story."

For Al Maskati, returning to Bahrain is deeper than just making music.

"We wanted to shine a light on Bahrain and this part of the world, so people could hear more about it. You hear things in the news, but it's really a simple characterisation or general summary of the place, but you can’t summarise a country, an area, or a region – let alone a person,” he says. “So we just wanted to show that music is being made here. There’s energy here, there’s creativity here, and there are resources."

Al Maskati confirms the band will spend the rest of the year in Bahrain to rejuvenate ahead of another year of recording and more concerts. Reflecting on how the region's cultural landscape has evolved since he left for Canada as a student more than 15 years ago, he sees an opportunity for further championing the region.

"There are a lot of great things happening here and more artists from this region are stepping up and proudly representing who they are," he says. "I think it's important for me to be here and connect with people. It's a responsibility and a blessing I've had my whole life. Now I'm making sure that I show up for the region in the way that so many people here showed up for us."

These adventures will also not be lost in the mix. "We have our recording equipment everywhere we go," Jordan says. "Everything we do together is made with the intention of sharing it with the world."

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

MATCH RESULT

Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Jazira:
Mabkhout (52'), Romarinho (77'), Al Hammadi (90' 6)
Persepolis: Alipour (42'), Mensha (84')

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

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In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

UAE Team Emirates

Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont

Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950

Engine 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km

Two products to make at home

Toilet cleaner

1 cup baking soda 

1 cup castile soap

10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice) 

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.

2. Add the essential oil to the mix.

Air Freshener

100ml water 

5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this) 

Method:

1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.

2. Shake well before use. 

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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How it works

Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.

Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.

As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.

A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.

Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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Updated: January 27, 2025, 9:41 AM`