Aloft Hotels and Universal Music Group & Brands MENA, the brand strategy division of Universal Music Group has set the date for the 2018 edition of Aloft Hotels’ artist discovery competition, Project: Aloft Star UAE.
Launching on September 18, 2018 with a star-studded event, that includes performances by last year’s winner Stephon LaMar, finalist Danny Aridi and rising Arabic artist Mahdi Baccouch at Aloft Palm Jumeirah, musicians can enter for a chance to win a prize that includes the opportunity to record a single at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, mentoring from UMG’s executives/producers to help select a song to record, worldwide release of the winner’s single on digital platforms, and a professional music video shot at Aloft City Centre Deira, Dubai.
This year’s Project: Aloft Star UAE 2018 mentors, Anthony Touma, Shaun Warner, Big Hass and Mark Shakedown will help guide the four finalists on their journey during an interactive and exclusive mentoring session at Aloft Me’asiam, preparing them for their final performance.
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The Project: Aloft Star UAE 2018 contest is part of Marriott International’s first-of-its-kind global partnership with UMG, which has evolved to include a focus on developing emerging talent.
“Our partnership with Aloft Hotels reflects our mutual commitment to support the diverse and enticing music scene in the MENA region,” commented Patrick Boulos, CEO, Universal Music MENA.
Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, vice president, premium and select brands, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, commented, “We are excited to launch this year’s edition of Project: Aloft Star UAE with UMG. The chance to work with one of UMG’s prestigious labels is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are glad we can offer this platform to emerging talent here in the Middle East.”
“Aloft Hotels has always been the brand for music makers and music lovers and we continue to amplify our music programming across our hotels in the region,” she added.
While the finale is open to everyone to join, the best way to experience it will be as a member of one of Marriott’s award-winning loyalty programs– Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards. Members of these programs can now bid on the SPG Moments platform to gain special access to the Project: Aloft Star finale on November 6, 2018 at the Aloft City Centre Deira. This music enthusiast will enjoy intimate performances from all four finalists and UMG artists Anthony Touma and Carl & The Reda Mafia, along with an artist meet and greet.
The lucky guest will spend the night in one of the hotels one-of-a-kind cinema themed suites and enjoy a sundowner on the hotels W XYZ Terrace ahead of the event. It also includes behind-the-scenes access to a music video shoot featuring this year’s Project: Aloft Star UAE winner and a chance to possibly even feature in the video. The winner will also gain a one year subscription to Anghami Plus and enjoy unlimited music on the region’s leading music streaming application.
All Aloft Hotels around the world host regular live music evenings in their W XYZ bars with local up-and-coming talent as part of the brand’s Live At Aloft Hotels music program. Guests and residents of the UAE can enjoy the brand’s music programming across five hotels - Aloft City Centre Deira, Aloft Palm Jumeirah, Aloft Me’asiam, Aloft Al Ain and Aloft Abu Dhabi.
The panel will select the top candidates to progress to Phase II of the competition where fans and music lovers will be encouraged to view and vote for their favorite artists from October 10 until October 23. Four finalists will be announced on October 26 and will receive a mentoring session on November 1 with selected music artists/producers/influencers in preparation for the Finale.
The finalists will perform at the Project: Aloft Star UAE finale on November 6, 2018 at Aloft City Centre Deira, the newest Aloft hotel in Dubai, where the winner will be chosen by the panel of judges.
To enter the competition, or to find out more about Project: Aloft Star UAE, please visit www.aloftstaruae.com.