At The Grey Fish Studio in Kuwait City, Khaliji percussion crackles against the low rumble of an 808 drum machine. Ya'koob and Abdul Rahman Al Refaie, known collectively as Kuwaiti hip-hop duo Sons of Yusuf, are locked into a groove steeped in the heritage of the Arab world.
Named after the book by Ahmed Salim, their new single 1001 Inventions – whose accompanying video documents those recording sessions – has Sons of Yusuf paying tribute to Muslim scholars such as Al Khwarizmi and Ibn Al Haytham, listing some of their ground-breaking discoveries in mathematics, optics and astronomy.
Heady material to be sure, but the brothers deliver it with a swagger that Ya’koob describes as “warrior energy”.
“In the Islamic Golden Age we shook the world. We changed the world back then. And we want to bring that back,” he tells The National's weekly music podcast Tarab. “The song gave us that Arabian gladiator energy. It made us think of the warriors from the Islamic Golden Age and history.”
This mission, to remind both the region and the wider world of its historical achievements, is at the heart of Granada. Named after the southern Spanish city with its deep Islamic heritage, it is the brothers' most ambitious work to date. They recently announced on social media that the project has been submitted for Grammy consideration in the Best Rap Album catergory.
The satisfaction, Ya’koob explains, comes from Granada being created on the back of field research.
“It was a whole different album at first,” he says. “We recorded everything and it was ready to go, but we scratched it three months before release. We went to Granada for inspiration, to learn about the city and its history, and also to the House of Wisdom in Sharjah – that’s what started the new direction.”
The House of Wisdom, built as a modern tribute to Baghdad's Bayt Al Hikma that flourished in the 8th and 9th centuries, became the subject of a track that refashioned the album's outlook with a video filmed at the Sharjah landmark.
Another track, Lion of the Desert, takes its name from Omar Mukhtar, the Libyan anti–colonial leader executed by Italian forces in 1931. Al Andalus pays tribute to Muslim Spain’s role as an intellectual and cultural hub of the Islamic Golden Age, spanning the 8th to the 15th century.
“When we studied Granada and Andalusia, it wasn’t just history for us,” Ya’koob says. “That was the moment when knowledge, technology and universities were shaping the world. We felt a deep connection with that place and that time, and it inspired us to see ourselves as part of that legacy.”
Capturing that energy in the studio was an international effort, with musicians enlisted in Kuwait and the US, while parts of the album were recorded remotely in Granada.
Sometimes you can hear how these jam sessions evolved, like in the title track, which begins with a rolling bass line before layering Kuwaiti percussion and call-and-response vocals.
“We were just jamming and one thing led to another,” Ya’koob recalls. “It had a nostalgic Kuwaiti theme, so we added the 'yallah' refrain. It almost evokes pearl diving and how those call-and-response songs were part of the voyages.”
While Granada looks to past glories, the brothers could not escape the tragedies unfolding in the present. At one point, they even questioned if the album should exist.
“With the genocide happening in Gaza, we felt like stopping the album, even stopping music altogether,” Ya’koob says. “We just thought, man, we don’t want to be part of anything. Even the music didn’t feel right. But then we reached a place where we thought: you know what? We’ve got to do something.
“Yes, the album is personal, but more than anything we’re doing it for the youth. We feel like subjects like these are largely missing in music and social media. We’re just doing what I would want to listen to or what I would want to see.”
That is partly what motivated the brothers to form Sons of Yusuf in 2011.
“We saw Kuwaiti hip-hop going in a direction that didn’t feel right – it was taking more from the US than from home,” Ya’koob says. “So we thought: let’s do a mixtape, put on the Arabian outfits, talk about Arabia, put out our culture.”
When they first appeared on Kuwaiti television rapping tracks from debut 2012 mixtape Arabia's Most Wanted in dishdashas and trainers, it felt improbable. Then came the first hip-hop TV commercial in Kuwait, which they fronted.
“Back then, if you told people hip-hop was going to be a thing in Kuwait or the Khaleej, no one would believe you. But alhamdulillah, we started that movement and that sound. Now Khaliji hip-hop is a thing.”
Through it all, the bond between the brothers remains unbroken.
“We pray together every day,” Ya'koob says. “We’re best friends. It’s more than music.”
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
THE DEALS
Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m
Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m
Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m
Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m
Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m
TOTAL $485m
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Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Team: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Sam Simmonds
Replacements 16 Jamie George, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 George Kruis, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Danny Care, 22 Jonathan Joseph, 23 Jack Nowell
DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36
Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey 3
Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
Cons: Powell 3
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Scores
Oman 109-3 in 18.4 overs (Aqib Ilyas 45 not out, Aamir Kaleem 27) beat UAE 108-9 in 20 overs (Usman 27, Mustafa 24, Fayyaz 3-16, Bilal 3-23)
2019 ASIA CUP POTS
Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan
A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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Arctic Monkeys
Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino)
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
