NickiStpierre68: Created Some Article W/ Refs.

2026-01-31T06:42:20Z

Created Some Article W/ Refs.

New page

{{Short description|United Arab Emirates band}}
'''Carl & The Reda Mafia''' is a [[Dubai]]-based band formed in October 2014.
The group consists of Carl Frenais from [[India]] (singer & songwriter), Tarek Reda from [[Egypt]] (guitarist and composer), Christos Asimakopoulos from [[Greece]] (bassist) and Abimbola Durojaye "Bims" from [[Nigeria]] (drummer). The band comprises a mixture of backgrounds that resulted in a hybrid sound known as "Funk Jam" combining elements of [[funk]], [[rock and roll]] and [[blues]] with a [[pop music]] twist.<ref>[http://www.infusion.ae/en/dj/music-news-1/sound-stage/carl-the-reda-mafia.html Infusion Magazine interview] (January 2015). In Infusion magazine. Retrieved March 2, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.redbull.com/mea/en/music/stories/1331750877827/ahead-of-opening-for-bon-jovi-in-abu-dhabi Ahead of Opening for Bon Jovi in Abu Dhabi] (September 2015). In Redbull. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.shortlistdubai.com/events-attractions/article/5341-interview-carl-and-the-reda-mafia INTERVIEW: Carl and The Reda Mafia] (November 2015). In ShortList Dubai. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://feelyourtempo.com/twist-and-tune-that-funk-jam-carl-and-the-reda-mafia/ Twist and Tune that Funk Jam Carl and the Reda Mafia] (June 2015). In Feel Your Tempo. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref name="auto">[http://www.triplew.me/en/feature/one-on-one-carl-frenais-carl-and-the-reda-mafia.html One on One: Carl Frenais] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307134635/http://www.triplew.me/en/feature/one-on-one-carl-frenais-carl-and-the-reda-mafia.html |date=2016-03-07 }} (February 2016). In TripleW. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>

A few weeks after forming the band, Carl & The Reda Mafia were crowned winners of the prestigious BandJam battle of the bands organized by [[Al Ghurair Group]]. The band took home the first place after joining 60 other bands playing for a crowd of over 5,000 music lovers. Carl & The Reda Mafia got the chance to meet with one of the biggest selling bands in the Philippines, [[Rivermaya]], in a mentorship session as part of their prize.<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/life-style/music/bands-battle-it-out-in-dubai-1.1413417 Bands battle it out in Dubai] (November 2014). In Gulf News. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20141120/ARTICLE/311209973/1057 Rivermaya mentors talent in Battle of the Bands] (November 2014). In Khaleej Times. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>

Building on their success at BandJam, the band then went on to perform at various gigs around the UAE including [[Dubai International Jazz Festival]] and [[Abu Dhabi Festival]]. Around May 2015, Carl & The Reda Mafia signed a record label and management deal with Abu Dhabi's local production studio White Cube Studios. Soon after they started recording their debut album ''What The?!''.<ref>[http://one8one.com/new/carl-the-reda-mafia/ Carl & The Reda Mafia] (June 2015). In one8one. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/nightlife/features/69449-white-cube-studios-abu-dhabi-update White Cube Studios tells Jack Dignum more about its musical movement] (February 2016). In Timeout Abu Dhabi. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>

In September 2015, the band was selected to open for the legendary rock band [[Bon Jovi]] at one of the biggest music venues in the Middle East, the Du Arena in [[Abu Dhabi]] on October 1, 2015. This marked their first appearance opening for a major world-renowned act.<ref>[http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/music/nothing-short-of-crazy-for-us-carl-frenais Nothing short of crazy for us: Carl Frenais]. (September 2015). In Khaleej Times. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151002073249/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-lifestyle/music/dubai-band-take-bon-jovi-support-slot-in-their-stride Dubai band take Bon Jovi support slot in their stride] (September 2015). In The National. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/kochi-boys-band-to-open-for-bon-jovi/article7662617.ece Kochi boy’s band to open for Bon Jovi] (September 2015). In The Hindu. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/nightlife/features/66625-bon-jovi-in-abu-dhabi Carl and The Reda Mafia to open for global rock superstars Bon Jovi] (September 2015). In Timeout Abu Dhabi. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://rollingstoneindia.com/psyched-about-opening-for-bon-jovi/ ‘Psyched about opening for Bon Jovi’] (September 2015). In Rolling Stones India. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.redbull.com/mea/en/music/stories/1331747643128/rising-uae-rockers-set-to-open-for-bon-jovi Rising UAE Rockers Set to Open for Bon Jovi] (September 2015). In Redbull. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://whatson.ae/abudhabi/2015/09/big-bon-jovi-news-for-local-band/ Big Bon Jovi news for local band] (September 2015). In What's On. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://7days.ae/local-act-tune-up-for-gig-of-their-lives-with-bon-jovi Local act tune up for gig of their lives with Bon Jovi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123145549/http://7days.ae/local-act-tune-up-for-gig-of-their-lives-with-bon-jovi |date=2016-01-23 }} (September 2015). In 7 DAYS. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>

Following their Bon Jovi gig they had the opportunity to open for world renowned hip hop artist [[J. Cole]] for an even bigger crowd at the Beats on The Beach concert in [[Abu Dhabi]] on November 27, 2015.<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/guides/going-out/culture/f1-yasalam-concert-line-up-1.1620937 F1 Yasalam concert line-up] (November 2015). In Gulf News. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>

In January 2016 Carl Frenais (the frontman of the band) went viral on the internet after making a video mixing Indian harmonies and human beatboxing to the [[iPhone]] app [[Siri]]. The video was supposedly intended to be private and only shared amongst friends, but it was leaked and had more than 15 million views.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35413576 BBC Trending:Singalong to Siri] (January 2016). In BBC. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160124101519/http://www.thenational.ae/blogs/scene-heard/viral-video-starring-uae-musician-carl-frenais-beatboxing-to-iphone-app-siri-clocked-15-million-views Viral video starring UAE musician Carl Frenais beatboxing to iPhone app Siri clocked 15 million views] (January 2016). In The National. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/video-trio-beatboxing-indian-classical-song-siri-coolest-thing-internet-today-38033 Video of trio beatboxing an Indian classical song with Siri is the coolest thing on the internet today] (January 2016). In The News Minute. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.buzzfeed.com/sahilrizwan/these-guys-beatboxed-along-with-siri-to-create-the-most-amaz#.taV6oLqge These Guys Beatboxed With Siri To Create The Most Amazing Indian Classical Jam Ever] (January 2016). In BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>

On February 19, 2016, Carl & The Reda Mafia released their debut album ''What The?!'' on the [[iTunes Store]] and all other major music streaming platforms including [[Apple Music]], [[Spotify]] and [[SoundCloud]].
When asked what the band writes about, Carl Frenais said "I don’t write about love. At all. I think that’s an emotion that’s been used too much". The album ''What The?!'' specifically asks questions about what's happening around the world, and questions about why people think the way they think.<ref name="auto"/><ref>[http://7days.ae/carl-reda-mafia-release-debut-album/81989 Carl and the Reda Mafia release debut album]{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (February 2016). In 7 DAYS. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>

In April 2016, the band was awarded "Best Local Band" at the biggest nightlife and entertainment awards ceremony in UAE, HYPE Awards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dubainight.com/mag/news/dubai-nightlife-celebrated-in-2016-hype-awards,28,26625.html|title=Dubai Nightlife Celebrated in 2016 Hype Awards|last=|first=|date=April 2016|website=Dubai Night|publisher=|access-date=3 May 2016}}</ref>

== Awards ==

'''Winner of BandJam Battle of The Bands (2014)''' - Al Ghureir Group.

'''Band Of The Year (2016)''' - Infusion Magazine.

'''Best Local Band (2016)''' - HYPE Awards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dubainight.com/mag/news/dubai-nightlife-celebrated-in-2016-hype-awards,28,26625.html|title=Dubai Nightlife Celebrated in 2016 Hype Awards|last=|first=|date=April 2016|website=Dubai Night|publisher=|access-date=3 May 2016}}</ref>

''"Funk-fried rock and roll from Carl & The Reda Mafia who took to their Bon Jovi warm up like true rock stars" - Infusion Magazine.<ref>[http://www.infusion.ae/en/article/magazine/features/winners-of-2015.html Winners of 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306060131/http://www.infusion.ae/en/article/magazine/features/winners-of-2015.html |date=2016-03-06 }} (January 2016). In Infusion Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2016.</ref>''

== Discography ==

=== Albums ===
''What The?!'' (2016)
# "Drown with Me"
# "A Better Place"
# "Moo Point of View" (Ft. [[Inphinix]])
# "Live Today"
# "Crazy Town"
# "Let the Music Take Control"
# "Don't Freakin Waste My Time"
# "My World"
# "Starting New"
# "We'll Go in Peace"

=== Singles ===
* "Fight for your queen" (2015)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Musical groups from Dubai]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2014]]

Carl and the Reda Mafia - Revision history

NickiStpierre68: Created Some Article W/ Refs.