DJ Bliss talks music, 'Dubai Bling', and what's next for his global sound

Khaleej Times

21-05-2025

In a city synonymous with opulence and opportunity, DJ Bliss has carved out a lane uniquely his own—one that fuses Emirati identity with global rhythm. For many, he's the familiar face on Dubai Bling, the entertainer behind the decks at FIVE hotel, or the man lighting up festival stages. But for Marwan Parham Al Awadhi, better known as DJ Bliss, it all started in a high school radio booth—hungry to be part of the party he once watched from the sidelines.
'I wasn't one of the cool kids who got invited to parties,' Bliss recalls with a laugh. 'So I thought, maybe if I became the DJ, I'd get to be a part of them. Now, I am the party.'
DJ Bliss's career defies stereotypes that once constrained young Emiratis—those unwritten rules about acceptable careers, especially in the pre-social media era when Dubai's cultural scene was still taking shape. 'Sure, my parents probably hoped I'd become a doctor or engineer,' he admits. 'But I always kept them in mind. I wanted to make them proud, and I think the blend of music, media, and business helped with that.'
What sets DJ Bliss apart isn't just his resilience, but the cultural lens through which he approaches his craft. In an era where being Emirati is often reduced to symbols of tradition or national pride, Bliss redefines it through a cosmopolitan sound. 'At first, I wanted to just mix in some Arabic sounds,' he says. 'But then I realised—Dubai isn't just Emiratis. It's the world. So I treat my music like a global meal—some Latin here, some Indian beats there, even a Brazilian vibe. That's Dubai.'
If you've only seen him as the sharp-suited charmer on Dubai Bling, you've only scratched the surface. DJ Bliss is also an entrepreneur, radio and TV host, vlogger, and producer. But at the core of it all is the music. 'I've worn so many hats over the years,' he reflects. 'TV, radio, reality shows, business. I used to think maybe these were different versions of me. But at the end of the day, I always come back to DJing. That's my first love.'
He references the often-misquoted adage 'Jack of all trades, master of none,' flipping it on its head. 'It didn't sit right with me. I wanted to be the master of one. So I made a conscious choice to put everything back into music—into DJ Bliss, the artist.'
These days, you'll find DJ Bliss creating music at one of the most stunning studios in Dubai—perched atop FIVE Palm Jumeirah. 'The view alone can inspire a hit,' he jokes. But it's more than aesthetics. It's where local creativity meets global infrastructure. 'It's state-of-the-art. The studio is partnered with Warner Music Germany, and you get real-time feedback from international artists who pass through. It's not just about making music; it's about leveling up the sound of the city.'
This evolution toward house and dance music marks a new chapter for DJ Bliss—one where he's not just spinning hits, but creating them. 'I used to play other people's music,' he says. 'Now I want to play mine. I want people to hear a track and say, 'That's DJ Bliss.''
Whether performing at his monthly residencies at FIVE or closing down the Untold Festival main stage in Romania—right after Martin Garrix, no less—Bliss is chasing a feeling: not just for himself, but for his audience. 'I want to feel blissful. And I want people to feel that way too.'
And in typical Gemini fashion, he's already imagining his next move. 'I like to reinvent myself. That's the key to staying relevant. There's always a new version of DJ Bliss around the corner.'