What went down at the Dazed MENA 100 Launch Party

If you’re reading this, you probably don’t need to be told that the first-ever Dazed MENA 100 list was released earlier this month. We’ve already told you about our list, which puts a spotlight on the talents pioneering culture across the global majority, multiple times. Now, we’ll do one better: We’ll tell you all about what happened on Tuesday night when we celebrated all of them in the most buoyant, most Dazed MENA way we could – with a party that ran deep into the night. 

Here’s what went down last night:

Everyone, from everywhere, was there

As soon as the clock hit 8 pm, hundreds started packing into the Dazed 100 gallery space at ICD Brookfield last night to engage with the works of those featured in Dazed MENA 100 – and, of course, also grab a drink, catch a vibe and dance the night away. By 10pm, you had to make a serious effort, carefully manoeuvring yourself through scores of bodies, glammed up and with drinks in hand, to get to the pop-up bar and get yourself another G&T — the venue was completely packed! 

Of course, the Dazed MENA 100 party couldn’t possibly have taken place without the creatives who were featured on our first-ever list. Among those in attendance yesterday were Palestinian architect Sara Bokr, Iraqi BMX trailblazer Akram Alnuaimy and British-Pakistani designer Zain Ali. Oh, and Palestinian rapper Shabjdeed was there, too, for his first ever performance in Dubai (more on that later). 

The fits were giving

In quintessentially Dazed MENA fashion, guests came dressed in outfits basked in collective individuality. Everywhere you looked, a splattering of colour would blind you. Glitzy accessories and personal flair defined the party, with many in attendance paying homage to local creatives and designers with their dresses, shirts, bags, necklaces and everything else that makes them them.

Regional sounds defined the night

When you have an event celebrating and embracing the counter-culture emanating from the norms we reject, the vibe needs to reflect that. Luckily for us, Gahallah made sure that everyone was hyped-up, playing an array of bangers. Then, Taymour did not let the intensity relent for even a second. He remixed a slew of hip-hop, trap and dance tracks from the region and beyond, and also played sounds from Hannah Elsisi’s Chromesthesia – tracking afro-diasporic rhythms from the Mangrove World.

Any malaise or fatigue from a long day at work or for some, the full weekend spent at Sole DXB, dissipated as those in attendance grooved away, entranced by the music, cocktails in hand – speaking of which:

The drinks were Absolut-ly fantastic 

As guests walked past the gallery and into the courtyard, they were greeted by a selection of inviting cocktails – prepared in collaboration with Absolut, who provided drinks for the event. There was a toast or two (or a hundred) made to our launch issue, the Dazed MENA 100 list and the creative spirit of the artists who made it all possible. 

There was a phenomenal set by Shabjdeed

At 8 pm, the event space was a gallery where people were admiring the art on display. Four hours later, the same space felt more like a Berlin club than a gallery. An ocean of bodies were jumping and frolicking about – utterly captivated. Captivated, why? Because trailblazing Palestinian hip-hop venturer Shabjdeed had just started his first Dubai set ever by performing Fein el Dawa.

Shabjdeed’s boisterous performance, in which he followed Fein el Dawa up with Inn Ann and NKD GLG, perfectly encapsulated the essence of the event. An unrelenting, defiant celebration of all things counter-culture.

The night was still young

After Shabjdeed’s exhilarating set ended, many stayed on the dance floor. They continued to prance about as Taymoor played a slew of remixes and the occasional techno and dancehall hit to make sure the energy did not wane until the lights were shut. 

But that still wasn’t going to be it for everybody. In typical Dubai fashion, some headed to Al Falamanki to end their nights (or start their mornings) with shawarmas and manakeesh.