Are you a day or a night person? The answer may determine whether you’ve heard of Marwan Parham Al Awadhi by his real name or by his pseudonym, DJ Bliss. What’s certain is that if you listen to the radio, watch TV or go gigging or clubbing in the UAE at all, then the chances are you’ll have heard of the Dubai-born 33-year-old, one way or another.
As DJ Bliss, Al Awadhi has spent the past decade establishing himself as one of the hardest-working men in UAE show business, an effort that has earned the DJ, TV presenter, radio host, actor, emcee and music producer a reputation beyond the UAE and an international list of friends, clients and collaborators that include the Jamaican dancehall star Shaggy and the former Fugees frontman Wyclef Jean.
The multi-talented Emirati met the multi-talented Haitian-American hip-hop icon in 2011 when they both performed at Abu Dhabi's Beats on the Beach. They met again during the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix in 2012 and then collaborated on April Showers, Wyclef's 2013 free internet mixtape, with Bliss featuring on several of the album's tracks, including the lead song, Writer's Block.
In January, Marwan Al Awadhi became the co-host of Channel 4 Radio's new wake-up show, Mornings with Marwan and Eve and, as he explains, it's a new direction that not only involves a punishing early-morning schedule, but a very different persona as well.
“Throughout my career I was DJ Bliss but before I started on the radio show I decided to create two separate profiles” he says. “I’d say that Marwan is the daytime me and that DJ Bliss is more night-time. They’re really two different people.”
Do you have any hobbies?
I started playing golf last year and now I’m in the process of setting up a little restaurant or cafe.
How do you describe yourself?
Maybe a Ryan Seacrest when it comes to being Marwan and somebody like a David Guetta when it comes to being DJ Bliss.
Do you have a favourite record?
It depends on what day of the week it is, how I’m feeling and how I want to feel.
What’s your favourite destination?
Right now, it’s definitely Los Angeles. It’s a great place to be if you’re in the entertainment business and it’s like Dubai.
How do you keep up-to-date?
I’m on the internet a lot and I do a lot of Googling.
What is your definition of luxury?
The thing I’m looking at at the moment is a private jet.
Do you have a favourite business or service?
My barber. I used to go to the same barber for four years ... but then he told me his business was closing down and that he was going to go back to his country. So I bought a shop that was closing down, hired him and started my own barber shop. It’s called Beats and Cuts.
Do you have a favourite piece of advice?
I read a quote the other day that said: “Be kind to negative people because they need love the most.”
What do you do to relax?
I like to sit at home on my sofa watching TV shows that I’ve already seen. I sometimes do a little bit of meditation as well.
So what’s your favourite TV show?
Entourage.
Who’s your favourite DJ?
I’d say DJ Jazzy Jeff. He puts on such a great show. It’s a performance, it’s about skill and he still plays on vinyl. It’s not just about playing all the new stuff.
nleech@thenational.ae
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Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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)
