Music

Aziz Maraka: Patience is a Virtue

Singing on stage is the best experience ever… full of unexpected events!

Written by Manal Saed - Red Bull Qatar

6 min readPublished on 16.07.2017 · 14:45 UTC

It is in the streets of Jordan that vibrating talents gave life to an alternative type of music, hungry for topics that go deeper and beyond the romanticism of commercial songs.

All the way from the alleys of Amman to it’s great theaters, it has gathered around it a dedicated audience that grew considerably bigger within ten years. It’s champions are either independent bands such as Autostrade, Hayajan, and Jadal, or independent singers, like Aziz Maraka, who wrote the very famous song “Ya bint el nass”. Before Aziz made music, he had to seek it. He was not a celebrity, and his path is the outcome of a series of crucial decisions. This interview sheds light on Aziz’s intellect and music. From Doha-Qatar, here is an interview with Aziz:

Singing means a lot to you, how do you feel while being on stage?

It is a moment that can fit two thousand other people, with whom you share your soul, with mutual care and attention. It is one of the most satisfying and gratifying moments. The stage is part of my life.

Music and singing might be the most important thing in your life, but what did you invest your efforts and energy in?

In the way to happiness. Some people reduce happiness to owning a house for instance, but I believe it to go much beyond. To pursue it, you need to have much more than that, including information, patience, and a careful management of your own financial resources, especially that I work for my own account, and I have never had a CV or a job. Chief among all these assets, however, is patience and perseverance. Indeed, you know you want success, but you may fail several times before achieving it, and you have to change your ways every time.

Singing means a lot to you, how do you feel while on stage?

How was information of help to you?

Information spares you too many useless discussions. The information you know humbles you, and what you do not know makes you patient. It puts the right word in your mouth in moments of anger, thus toning down your barbarity, because you would find the proper words to describe how you feel. One should always remember that many others are seeking the same answers, and refrain from talking when in doubt.

You have been married for years and you are a father now …but you have recently celebrated your wedding cermony?

We got married and did not have a cermony back then because we didn’t have enough money. We’ve had to wait till the opportunity arises. We are so often oblivious of the fact that aims, just like people, change continuously.

How did you and your wife live during this period?

Mer is my closest friend. Frankly, I do not know how it is possible to build a marriage without friendship. I met her in the US, but then I had to go back to Jordan. It was a crucial decision, but she chose to come back with me. She was very brave; especially that her father did not think it was the best decision to make.

You grew more attached to music since your son Zaid was born. That was when you started producing songs and filming them. Did Zaid help you in your music or the other way around?

Music is my own world, and the birth of Zaid was a start that pushed me to produce more. Although I bore the expenses of production, I wanted to do something I love, and offer it to people. By doing so, I achieved yet another goal, because the way I work helps me in the same time to be part of my son’s life. He is still young, but his life is full of rapid developments.

What is it that you have not learned from your father, but that you will teach your son about?

Things are different now. The more I mature, the more I understand that fatherly motives are one, and are all about love, although some situations may not be explained as they happen. Certainly, I will always make my son feel loved, but in a different way. I will teach him that he is not the center of the universe, and that someday someone would tell him things he won’t like, but that it does not change a thing. Yet, fatherhood has taught me to let go of certain reactions and automatic behavior, because there is a child watching somewhere, and he will learn from you.

You were able to turn your passion for music into a profession and a lifestyle… How did you do that?

The best way to achieve something is to go for it. But to say “I’m still thinking about it” is useless. People need excuses that hold them back from pursuing their dreams, and excuses can only come from the past. If you wish for something, go for it, and be always ready to get it.

You received an unexpected scholarship to study. Is this a streak of luck in your opinion?

It took me years to promote my music in Jordan, at a time when there was not interest at all in this industry. True, I do not believe in strategies and plans, but it was not luck either. Both your destiny and your own quest come into play, and in-between lies patience.

What’s the best thing you have sung?

For me, it is “Ya bint el nas”, because it was my third attempt, and the audience reacted positively to it. Two previous songs had failed expectations of acceptance, and I was starting to lose hope. Another song is “Min Qallak”, which I sang in two different versions, although I prefer the piano version. I like it because it expresses my feelings better than any other song. At that time, I had acquired enough experience and I performed it in a more professional way. Everything in it was the result of personal efforts in terms of composing, writing, organization… I can fairly say that it was an important milestone in my career.

You are preparing a music event involving a new idea in Amman?

Red Bull Sound Clash is a concert I am currently preparing with Red Bull. It is expected to launch publically in September 2016. It will be held with the Jadal band. The idea is based on competition, as each band will be set against the other, trying to entice the audience who will be the judge.

By the way, you have already had a professional experience with Red Bull, also in Amman?

Yes, and I seize the opportunity to note that I am a Red Bull fan and I drink it all the time, especially during shows and concerts.

Music