This young group put Abu Dhabi on the world map!
Abu Dhabi is cemented firmly on the world map as a tourist destination – yes, the pandemic has put on hold the steady flow of tourists the emirate would normally see, yet nevertheless the Abu Dhabi authorities have been instrumental in ensuring the spotlight stays firmly in place.
After all, there is the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the incredible collection of art displayed at Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the emirate’s captivating illustrious heritage showcased at Qasr Al Hosn in the capital or further afield in Al Ain.
There is also the entertainment hub on Yas island, with its world-famous theme parks and international events such as the UFC Fight Night Island, both of which still played out despite the pandemic that gripped the world.
The famed leisure island has attracted international stars over the years. More recently – and which we covered here at Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life – international teen pop sensation Now United paid Yas Island a visit in October 2020.
If you are unaware – how could you be? – the truly cosmopolitan group has members hailing from countries across the globe. Formed back in 2017 by Idols’ creator Simon Fuller, there are 18 members, with each one representing a different country and nationality.
Some of the group had been to the UAE previously, but this time around they were taken with Abu Dhabi so much so that the capital’s iconic Emirates Palace Hotel was the scene for the video ‘Lean on Me’, a tune which was not only recorded in Abu Dhabi but also gives a shout out to the capital itself.
The video was produced and edited by #twofour54, with Emirati Director Aiham Al Subaihi and Executive Producer Omar Al Dhaheri using their unique set of skills to bring the video to life.
“When I got called for the opportunity, I said I am so down – these guys are huge,” says Aiham, who adds how much pride it brought him. “That we were shooting a big production music video here in Abu Dhabi for an international group doesn’t happen very much and when it does, it is not reachable for the local filmmakers and directors to jump on the project.”
The global pop group’s music video, facilitated by twofour54, unsurprisingly reached eight million views in two days, going on to amass 14 million views. Omar revealed how now, after visiting Abu Dhabi several times, the first time being when the Special Olympics took place in 2019, that Now United has forged a special relationship with Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
Omar goes on to point out how that despite the international group have made a number of videos in the emirate, ‘Lean on Me’ has proven to be the most popular, adding that he was happy the way the video went.
Aiham, a twofour54 Creative Lab member and graduate of Image Nation training programme Arab Film Studio, hopes the video “will encourage more international productions to come and take advantage of the Emirate’s incredible diversity of filming locations, from immaculate beaches to urban architecture.”
So, what were the actually lyrics related to Abu Dhabi? Head over to YouTube and find out – and be prepared to dance!
