Saudi- Qusai Don Legend: Up close and personal

(MENAFN- Arab News) When you mention hip-hop in Saudi Arabia it is impossible not to mention 'Qusai' as his name is synonymous with the Saudi hip-hop scene. What people might not know about Qusai is that he loves supporting local artists not only by tweeting or promoting them on social media but by also working and collaborating with them and by sharing his experience with them. As a radio host and a journalist I am proud of the elevation that Qusai has had his maturity and involvement in the scene is respectful. I also respect the fact that he keeps coming out with new music because consistency is key especially when it comes to hip-hop in our region. Arab News met Qusai at Universal Legends offices and had the below conversation:

For the past two years we can tell that you have been very supportive of the local rap scene. How do you find the scene now? And who really do you think has the potential to break through and follow your footsteps?
I find a very powerful scene strong talented and hungry but the issues that are facing them are many. One in our society there aren't many platforms for them to express themselves. Another thing I believe is that some of them are lacking is creativity; if you're creative and different and representing something totally new somebody will eventually come knock on your door! As for breaking through I have been saying it before and I will keep saying it first name is Hamza Hawsai (Ayzee) and now we can see that he's reaching the finals of #XFactorArabia. I have worked with Ayzee for many years he's a raw talent. I had predicted that he's going to make it and he capitalized on the experience we shared together. He was also patient and that was very important.

How has hip-hop evolved in Saudi Arabia?
I built my own platform by being creative by never stopping being hungry and working. The scene has definitely matured and evolved a lot of rappers got to know there are 'others' in the scene that are different but of course everybody has their own style. In the Saudi scene the number one source that exposes talents here is social media as it allowed them to connect and collaborate with other rappers in the region.

What does a live performance mean to you? And what would you say was your best live performance until now?
It means the world it's my second home. Yes I am an MC I am a hip-hop artist but I am also an entertainer and a performer. When you're on stage you have to entertain and perform that's how you will get the people's attention. I don't have a best appearance; I believe every single stage I got on was and will be really special.

As a leader of hip-hop in Saudi Arabia what are your thoughts on the feud happening now between Klash and Slow Moe? Is this good for hip-hop in the country?
The battling has always been part of hip-hop. Now given our society's misconceptions about hip-hop they automatically assume that these guys are going to the streets. It's good and bad. It's bad because the representation is not so proper for our culture of hip-hop. It's good because this is the hip-hop movement and we are letting the people know we are here.

You got a lot of fans in the Arab world. Tell us something about it.
I get a lot of love from all over the Arab world; sometimes fans get crazy which is cool. For example I was in the middle of the highway in Egypt and then a car stopped in the middle of the highway and a girl jumped out of the car came to our car and took a selfie. It's all love and this is something I understand and cherish and it comes with the territory.

You've released your single 'I'm Cool' in Sept. 2014 through MRG Records. How has the feedback been and when is the video coming out?
There have been some delays for the 'Im Cool' video due to some personal obstacles but we will make it happen in God's will. Shooting might take place in either Los Angeles or Dubai. Also if you noticed we haven't really pushed 'Im Cool' in a strong way yet; it has been pushed in the US more than the Arab world because right now people are more interested in visuals and that's why we are working on the video. Right now there's a big demand on the video.

What has been your most ultimate achievement so far?
Success is a journey not a destination. I don't feel I have reached my top yet. I don't think there is a 'This is it!' moment for me. I am still hungry still doing music still being young at heart and will always be because I have huge respect and admiration for hip-hop culture and for me it is more than just a genre. Hip-hop chose me since I was a little kid and I decided to become the MC.

You visit Egypt on a regular basis. What does Egypt mean to you? And what are your thoughts on the hip-hop scene there?
If I can say what I can say about Egypt it won't be enough. Egypt is home. Egypt is family. Ever since I was young my grandparents owned a home there and I was very close to them we are talking about the late 80's it had the culture the people the streets. I also have a very good connection with the Egyptian people and also the Arab League Records and I have always wanted to do a song about Egypt which I did and called 'Um Al-Donia.' As for the scene in Egypt I love it! They have more freedom when it comes to live performances than Saudi Arabia which gives the artists a big push. I also would like to salute Arabian Knightz as they have been holding the scene down in Egypt.

When I say hip-hop in Saudi Arabia which are the three names that first come to your mind?
That's always a tough question but let me simplify it for you. My favorite artists from Saudi Arabia are featured on my mixtape (Don Legend Mixtape). The mixtape features Moh Flow Abz Anas Arabi Speech Erik Majeed Majic and Tim Granite. I got love for everybody I got love for Slow Moe Slow Moe found his notch he mastered it. No one here is doing that 'trap-hop' sound. I am also working on a second mixtape which will feature Jeddah FAM and many other rappers such as sleuther. There is one name I can give you who's very strong underground his name is 'Shiboba' I also would love to work with 'Oday' I believe with the right production music and songs he could be one of the top Saudi rappers here. I also want to shout out Klash he's been in the game for a while. He's an icon here. He has his following and I wish him the best.

If you are to collaborate with any artist in the world who would it be and why?
Well it would be Lionel Richie. I have met him a couple of times and we actually spoke about collaborating. We sat down and he heard the song. He was very honest with me and told me that he doesn't usually do a lot of collaborations especially with rap but when he heard my idea he felt connected and loved the idea of bridging cultures through this collaboration. As for why Lionel Richie has been someone I have been listening to all my life. My father was all about James Brown Donna Summer The Bee Gees Ray Charles Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5 and then the 80's came with Prince Sting Phil Collins and George Michael; then hit the late 80's with Lenny Kravitz Sea; these are the artists that inspired me. Hip-hop was inspired by the original sound of this music.

Who are you currently listening to?
The people I just mentioned. I also love listening to the local artists and supporting them. I love the fact that Moh Flow is one of the hardest working artists in the region and I always listen to his new releases. I also love Ne-Yo and D'angelo Musiq Soulchild Erykah Badu and this new kid called 'BJ The Chicago Kid.'

What has been the most cruel comment you ever received?
I don't pay attention to those comments. However you will see that the motive behind these comments is ignorance. I see these comments I read them; but I ignore them and move on because I look at the love that I have from my people and that covers this and to tell you the truth this is the mentality that Arabs should go for generally; we got a lot of good stuff but the focus is always on the negative.

What was the best advice you ever received and from who?
My father. He told me to be humble and not to let success get to my head. This was special coming from him because he was against everything I was doing all the way till I was 30. It meant the world to me when he told me that right after the release of my first album. He was upset when I quit my job and I decided to pursue this. He felt the success of the song 'The Wedding' the delivery the content the creativity and the message. He's a very educated person and looked at the bigger picture. My father's opinion about me meant a lot to me my father shows love through action he doesn't really talk about it and for him to tell me 'Proud Of You' meant the world to me.

How would you describe the Arab hip-hop movement?
Strong but shaky. We have to put our egos aside. We have tried putting the scene together a lot of times; but it still feels there are egos and that should be put aside and we should focus on the bigger picture. Build that empire. Have a strong base.

What are you currently working on?
There's a lot of work. We're shooting the video of 'I'm Cool' with Fredwreck finalyzing the 'Urban Legacy' album with D-Light and also working on a solo album with 'Mindcircus.' He's one of my favorite producers. He's dedicated some of my major hits were produced by him like 'Im Cool' 'Father' and 'Eve.'

Tell Arab News something that not many people know about you.
I am afraid of heights and flights. I was also afraid of the dark but I have overcome that. And I also was afraid of the ocean; I love the ocean but I am afraid of that world below me. People might not also be aware that I am a shy person.

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