Bio/Wiki | |
---|---|
Profession(s) | Singer, Songwriter, Musician |
Physical Stats | |
Height (approx.) | 5' 8" (173 cm) |
Eye Colour | Brown |
Hair Colour | Brown |
Career | |
Debut | Music Album: Sunchild (2007) ![]() Single: Hamdan Al Abri (2011) ![]() |
Awards | • 2011: Best Local Band, Timeout Dubai Nightlife Award • 2012: Second Best selling UAE act- Timeout Dubai • 2022: Emirati Artist of the Year, 3rd Musivv Award |
Personal Life | |
Date of Birth | 18 April 1981 (Saturday) |
Age (as of 2025) | 44 Years |
Birthplace | Dubai |
Zodiac sign | Aries |
Autograph | ![]() |
Nationality | Emirati |
Hometown | Zanzibar, Tanzania |
School | International School of Choueifat in Sharjah |
College/University | Miami International University of Art and Design, Miami, Florida |
Educational Qualification(s) | • Graduation • A Course in Visual Art |
Religion | Islam |
Tattoo | On his left forearm![]() |
Social Media | • Instagram • YouTube |
Family | |
Parents | Father- Mukrim Al Abri (Zanzibari musician, ex- policeman)![]() Mother- Fatma Mattar Tajir (doctor of Ugandan) |
Siblings | Brother- Arqam Al Abri (singer, musician) Sister- Maryam Al-Abri (makeup artist, worker welfare auditor at Expo City Dubai) ![]() |
Favourites | |
Musician | Jack White |
Music Band(s) | Radioheat, The Doors, The Beatles, The Zombies, The Velvet Underground, The Roots |
Singer(s) | Sam Cooke, Marvin Baye, Prince, Bob Marley, Bilal, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Hamdan Al Abri
- Hamdan Al Abri Mukrim was born to a Zanzibari father and Ugandan-Comorian-Indian mother.
- In his teens, he wanted to become an archaeologist.
- While growing up, he used to listen to songs by Michael Jackson.
- At the age of 16, he auditioned for a music club in high school. In the audition, he performed the cover of Michael Jackson’s song ‘You Are Not Alone.’
- While he was studying in college, he joined a rock band called Plex as a vocalist.
- After listening to the songs of Björk and Radiohead, he started developing an interest in hip hop music. He then started making R&B and Hip-Hop music along with DJ Shero.
- Initially, he collaborated with various music groups and bands in Dubai and various other countries.
- After completing his graduation, he shifted to Miami to pursue a course in visual arts. It was a week before the 9/11 attacks. As he had a UAE passport and was a Muslim, he faced various problems at that time.
- In 2004, after he returned to Dubai from the US, he met Julian Symes, who was a music teacher at Dubai Men’s College. They then started working together and started a music band named ABRI. Later, Andre Atherley, a drummer, and Rami Lakkis, a bass player, joined the band. Further, musician Rebecca Brianceau joined the band.
- Along with his band, he has performed in various music concerts in countries like India, Bahrain, UK, Maldives, and U.A.E.
- In 2006, he started working solo on songs. His solo song was included in an episode, ‘Bittersweet,’ from the U.S. crime drama show CSI. Later, his song ‘Falling’ was included in the US TV show ‘Ringer.’
- Hamdan has featured in a few Arabic music videos like Philosophies (2006), A Piece of Yourself (2008), and Falling (2012).
- In 2009, the band’s second album ‘Blank Notes’ was released.
- In the same year, Julian Symes moved to Brazil, and drummer Andre Atherley moved to the UK. When the members left the band, he decided to pursue a solo career.
- In 2010, he moved to the UK, and there he met the British producer Yasser Anderson or Dozing Duke. They then collaborated on various songs.
- Some of his Arabic songs are Falling (2011), Relevant (2014), Rise (2015), and Higher- Breathe Easy (2022).
- Hamdan has performed at various stage shows and live events.
- He has performed along with various singers like Erykah Badu, Ziggy Marley, Kanye West, and Joss Stone.
- He once shared that he was influenced by various singers like Bob Marley, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, Musiq SoulChild, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Radiohead, Björk, Flying Lotus, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Bilal in his career.
- He has performed at various events like the London Olympics, BT River of Music, WOMAD Abu Dhabi, WOMAD Al Ain, Beats on the Beach, and Dubai’s Chill Out Festival.
- In his leisure time, he enjoys travelling and painting.
- He regularly works out at a gym to remain fit.
- Hamdan has been featured on the cover of various magazines.

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