Review: Boyz II Men turn back the years in Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Nights concert series
Who needs extra production when a group has all the vocal fireworks? The understated stage setup was both appreciated and savoured as US R&B group Boyz II Men made their Abu Dhabi debut on Saturday, performing as part of the Saadiyat Nights series. Backed by a dimly lit four-piece band and unfussy background visuals, the trio's near 90-minute display of vocal dexterity and flawless harmonies felt almost revolutionary in a current music landscape seemingly dominated by electronically processed vocals. It was also a reminder why the Philadelphia group – whose surviving members are Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris (not related) and Shawn Stockman – were one of the biggest vocal groups of their time, with a slew of big-selling hits. I mention 'vocal groups' because, as their episode in Behind the Music revealed, Boyz II Men's remarkable rise was halted by shifting musical trends. The industry pivoted from similar R&B-rooted African American acts to heavily promoting pop boybands such as the Backstreet Boys and Nsync; a shift the group suggested was driven, in part, by systemic racism within the music business. While internal struggles and shifting industry trends left the group in the wilderness for more than a decade starting in the late 1990s, their re-emergence was driven by a renewed desire to celebrate their hard-won legacy. Contemporary pop artists such as Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake, who have drawn vocal inspiration from their era, have also helped shine a light on their enduring influence. As a result, Boyz II Men have found themselves packing concert venues from the US to Australia. Hence, their Abu Dhabi concert was as much a well-earned lap of honour as it was a showcase of a band revitalised. The ethereal Believe Us demonstrated the wondrous power of a perfectly executed three-point harmony. The same can be said for Water Runs Dry, where Nathan's rich baritone was expertly layered with the fluid harmonies of Wanya and Shawn. Such control and precision extend to their more dramatic moments, with modern R&B rarely offering a vocalist as commanding as Wanya, his booming tenor literally brought the crowd to their feet during storming performances of On Bended Knee and I'll Make Love to You. While Shawn's icy falsetto resonated in It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday – an elegiac ode to the departed. Crowd pleasers as ever, they sparked a mass karaoke sing-along in the heart-warming One Sweet Day, complete with lyrics displayed on the screen – mirroring the reaction their collaborator Mariah Carey received only a year earlier when performing the song during her solo concert on the same stage. Finishing their set where it all began, with a heartfelt and suitably poignant rendition of End of the Road alongside their debut single Motownphilly, Boyz II Men left the stage with a lasting reminder of a legacy that may have felt underappreciated at times but remains undeniably timeless. February 1: Omar Khairat The Egyptian singer will perform a collection of his enchanting and original symphonies. Tickets start at Dh250. February 15: Christina Aguilera The American singer is returning to the UAE capital for the first time in 17 years. Tickets are sold out. February 21: Gwen Stefani The American singer will perform solo hits like What You Waiting For and Hollaback Girl, alongside No Doubt classics such as Don't Speak. Tickets start at Dh295.
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Gulf Business
16-06-2025
- Gulf Business
Toy tracks to trendsetters: Mattel's Ruth Henriquez on the Hot Wheels-B-Hype collab
What happens when the world's bestselling toy car brand meets one of the Middle East's most influential streetwear labels? You get a high-octane fusion of nostalgia, identity, and style. In a first-of-its-kind regional collaboration, Hot Wheels, the iconic franchise from Mattel, has teamed up with B-Hype, the Dubai-born streetwear brand known for its retro flair, cultural attitude, and celebrity drops. Launched in May, the limited-edition Hot Wheels x B-Hype collection reimagines the high-speed spirit of Hot Wheels through a fashion-forward lens, marking a milestone in both brands' evolution. This collaboration is more than a merch drop. For Mattel, it is a strategic step in extending Hot Wheels' cultural relevance beyond the toy aisle and into lifestyle spaces — alongside previous global partnerships with fashion giants like Gucci and Puma. For B-Hype, the drop reflects its ongoing mission to blend childhood nostalgia with cutting-edge streetwear, amplified through regional identity and global aspiration. We caught up with Ruth Henriquez, head of Licensing, Publishing, and Location-Based Entertainment at Hot Wheels has been an iconic brand for generations. How would you describe its evolution from a beloved toy into a broader cultural and lifestyle symbol ? Hot Wheels has come a long way since its launch in 1968. What began as a toy car line has become a global franchise that fuels imagination, creativity, and pop culture moments. More than just toy cars, Hot Wheels represents bold colors, performance design, and a passion for cars — elements that fans have grown up with and want to bring into their daily lives. Today, it lives far beyond the toy aisle — from fashion drops with the likes of B-Hype to digital games, high-value collectibles, and cultural events. It is a brand that blends with modern-day relevance, continually reinventing itself while staying true to its high-energy, design-led roots. How do franchise partnerships support Mattel's evolution into a full brand ecosystem? Franchise partnerships are ultimately about giving consumers more ways to connect with the brands they love, whether through fashion, gaming, experiences, or collectibles. These moments extend engagement and help keep brand culture alive across generations. Mattel is home to a wide portfolio of brands, each that started its story in a unique way. Whether it is Hot Wheels as a toy car or Thomas & Friends as a book — now our brands stretch far beyond that original storytelling and have a full franchise ecosystem through partnerships such as the one we have just launched with B-Hype. It is not just about products, it is about unlocking moments that reflect how fans live, play, and express themselves today. Are there any figures you can reference about Mattel's franchise partnerships globally? Hot Wheels is the number-one selling toy in its category, with over eight billion of them sold across more than 150 countries. It is a brand with truly global scale, and when we introduce it into new categories like fashion, collectibles, or gaming, the response is instant. Limited drops, like our collaborations with Gucci or Sean Wotherspoon, have sold out within minutes. We also see increasing engagement through gaming and digital activations, as well as consistent sell-outs of specific collaborations — proof that Hot Wheels is resonating deeply across age groups and platforms. A key trend fueling this growth is the rise of adult fans. In some markets, adults buying for themselves now account for up to 25 per cent of toy industry sales, and Hot Wheels consistently ranks among their top choices. These fans are drawn to products that combine storytelling, design, and cultural relevance. They want to collect the next cool thing from their favourite brands — making franchise collaborations a powerful tool for brand engagement. What inspired Hot Wheels' expansion into fashion, and how does it reflect broader cultural trends? The inspiration really came from our fans and the culture at large. We saw that Hot Wheels had evolved far beyond toy — it had become a symbol of personal style, nostalgia, and creative identity. We know fans love the bold colors and signature graphic language of Hot Wheels and were looking for ways to bring that love into their wardrobes. At the same time, fashion was embracing retro icons, with childhood brands making a comeback as cultural statements. This move also reflects wider cultural shifts. Today, people are blending their passions — fashion, gaming, art, and toys — in ways that feel personal and expressive. Nostalgia has become a lifestyle, and Hot Wheels sits right at the intersection of that trend. Wearing a Hot Wheels hoodie is not just a style choice, it is a nod to childhood, creativity, and individuality. Streetwear thrives on storytelling and collaboration; both core to how we build franchises. Whether it is a drop with Gucci, BAPE, or local brands like B-Hype, these partnerships give fans new ways to engage with Hot Wheels while reinforcing its place in culture. It is about showing up in the right spaces, with personality. Some collaborations have even featured details like 'Racing since 1968' or dual Arabic-English branding — small but meaningful touches that make the brand feel both global and personal. Read: What attributes of the Hot Wheels brand make it a natural fit for fashion and street culture? Hot Wheels has always stood out for its bold visuals, high-energy spirit, and deep roots in car culture, which translate naturally into streetwear. The iconic flame logo, vivid colour palette, and striking graphic language were practically made for apparel. You see it in collaborations like B-Hype, where the design DNA carries through effortlessly. But it is more than just looks. Hot Wheels has always embodied individuality, creativity, and a bit of rebellious edge; values that align closely with street culture. It is expressive, collectible, and deeply nostalgic, which makes it feel right at home in a space where fashion meets fandom. We did not want this to feel like a uniform. It is more like a toolkit for personal style; fans can mix and match pieces to make it their own. How do you stay true to Hot Wheels' brand values as you expand into lifestyle and fashion? We are very intentional about how we show up in fashion. Every collaboration must reflect the essence of Hot Wheels — adrenaline, creativity, and that challenger spirit. Some ideas — even exciting ones — get turned down if they do not reflect the brand's core. What we greenlight is deliberate. In fact, in our collaboration with B-Hype, we aligned one simple goal: to reflect the boldness and creativity that defines both brands. The result was apparel that feels as high-energy as the brand itself. Why is the Middle East an important region for Mattel's franchise strategy and brand expansion? The Middle East is a priority growth region for Mattel, and one where we already see strong engagement with our brands. It's a market with a deeply rooted appreciation for storytelling, design, and family-oriented experiences—values that align closely with what Mattel stands for. The region also has a young and diverse population, with a strong appetite for creativity and innovation, making it an exciting environment for franchise-led growth. With a flagship store in Dubai Mall and deep ties to local fashion culture, B-Hype was a natural partner. They describe themselves as a bridge between '90s hip-hop and today's generation, which fits Hot Wheels perfectly. We have seen firsthand how much love there is for our brands — from the enthusiastic response to the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in Dubai, to the growing community of collectors and fans of all ages. These moments confirm that our brands resonate in ways that go beyond product; they tap into shared passions and lifestyles. That is why partnerships like Hot Wheels x B-Hype are so important. Working with respected, culturally attuned local partners allows us to ensure our brands show up in a way that feels authentic and relevant. As we continue to expand, we are committed to doing so in collaboration with the region, building long-term relationships and experiences that reflect the unique character of each market. Have you observed any specific consumer insights or trends from the Middle East that influenced Mattel's Hot Wheels franchise strategy in the region? Certainly, one of the most striking insights is the region's passion for automotive culture. From supercars to street racing, there is a deep connection to performance and design, which aligns naturally with Hot Wheels' DNA. That understanding shapes everything from how we tell brand stories to which activations we prioritise in-market. We have also seen that Middle Eastern youth value a balance of cultural authenticity and global relevance. That is why our partnership with B-Hype felt like the right move as it reflects a strong local voice while tapping into international streetwear trends. Their aesthetic — blending retro references with bold, modern expression — mirrors how young consumers here are redefining their identity. Taken together, these insights help us ensure Hot Wheels does not just arrive in the Middle East, it integrates in ways that are meaningful and lasting. And finally, can we expect more collaborations like this in the future as part of Hot Wheels' lifestyle and cultural expansion? Absolutely. Hot Wheels x B-Hype is part of a broader lifestyle and cultural strategy, and it is just the beginning. We are not interested in one-off moments, we are building long-term momentum that connects our brands to the spaces our fans care about most. Globally, we have exciting collaborations in the pipeline. And in the Middle East, the success of the B-Hype partnership has only reinforced the opportunity to do more. We are actively exploring new ways to show up—whether through fashion, art, music, or unexpected cultural intersections. These are not just brand exercises, they are creative collaborations that appeal to trendsetters, tastemakers, and global audiences alike. While Hot Wheels has been the focus of this conversation, it is just one part of a much larger portfolio. Mattel is home to some of the world's most iconic franchises — from Barbie to Masters of the Universe to UNO — and that makes us a uniquely desirable partner for brands across fashion, entertainment, retail, and beyond. We are a brand powerhouse with storytelling at our core, and that is exactly what makes our collaborations stand out, and why you will be seeing many more.
Khaleej Times
03-06-2025
- Khaleej Times
Here's what Phil Collins learned while recording the soundtrack for 'Tarzan'
There is a reason the Tarzan soundtrack is so iconic, and it all has to do with Phil Collins. Musician and songwriter Phil Collins described the moment he realised he needed to sing all of the film's music in other languages. The singer sang in multiple different languages for the 'Tarzan' movie "Someone says, 'Excuse me, we go to 35 countries. So I'm afraid you're going to... are you going to try to sing in Spanish or Swahili?'" he recalled in the throwback clip. Before working on the Disney animated tale, Collins said he had "never ever sung anything in another language before," reported People. "So that's another plus, that's another new thing I've learned while doing this project," he added, noting that it "opened up a whole" new world to him. The old clip then shows Collins singing Strangers Like Me from the movie Tarzan in French and Spanish. Collins recorded the songs in five different languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish and English, reported People. Collins composed the soundtrack to the 1999 Disney film, which went on to win a Grammy for Best Soundtrack Album. You'll Be in My Heart bagged the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe for the same honour. The songs were written and composed by Collins, who performed alongside Glenn Close, Rosie O'Donnell and NSYNC, with an original score composed by Mark Mancina. The film, which made $448.2 million (Dh1.64 billion) worldwide, starring Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Brian Blessed, Wayne Knight, Close, and O'Donnell. In 2016, the famed musician's daughter, Lily Collins, told Harry Connick Jr. that one of her father's most recognisable songs was originally written as a lullaby for her.
Campaign ME
02-06-2025
- Campaign ME
Mattel's Hot Wheels reveals strategy behind B-Hype brand collab in Dubai
Toy manufacturer Mattel's Hot Wheels, which is one of the world's best-selling toys and a globally recognised brand, has revealed details of the strategy behind its brand collaboration with Dubai-based streetwear brand B-Hype. The brands collaborated to create a collection, which aims to connect with a new generation of fans through fashion, storytelling and locally resonant experiences. The collaboration was launched through an event at the B-Hype flagship store in Dubai Mall, attended by local influencers and organically amplified across B-Hype's social channels. The broader conversation was driven organically through the community, fueled by audience excitement and built on cultural relevance. The corresponding campaign to showcase the collaboration and the collection was developed jointly by internal teams at Mattel and B-Hype, with creative direction and execution managed in close alignment. The brands also partnered with a local production house to support the Dubai launch, ensuring the experience stayed true to both brands' identity and audience. 'The intention was to localise this approach and collaborate with a brand that already holds cultural capital and community trust in the Middle East.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by B Hype (@bhype_dxb) In conversation with Campaign Middle East, Ruth Henriquez, Head of Licensing, Publishing, and LBE – Mattel EMEA, said, 'Mattel is a global powerhouse of brands, from Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO to a wide portfolio of other leading IPs. Today, these brands are no longer seen solely as toy lines. The mission at Mattel is simple, every brand should evolve into a full-fledged franchise that extends across fashion, entertainment, gaming, digital collectibles and lifestyle experiences.' Henriquez added, 'This collaboration with B-Hype reflects that mission. Hot Wheels is not just a childhood favourite; it's a brand that continues to connect with adult fans and creative communities around the world. By partnering such a style-led local brand in the Middle East, we've created a new way for fans to express that connection and for Hot Wheels to show up in a way that's culturally relevant.' The timing couldn't be more relevant. The fashion and luxury market in the Middle East is booming, with the UAE's apparel sector projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 per cent between 2024 and 2030. As the region becomes a global hub for culture-led fashion, brands are leaning into hyper-local partnerships to deepen relevance and engagement 'B-Hype already resonates with youth audiences in the Middle East – not through mass advertising, but through its distinct voice, aesthetic and deep understanding of its community. By partnering with a brand that already 'speaks the language' of its audience, Hot Wheels was able to enter a cultural space with credibility.' 'Our goal is to bring Hot Wheel's iconic design language and brand energy into lifestyle spaces around the world. With B-Hype, the intention was to localise this approach and collaborate with a brand that already holds cultural capital and community trust in the Middle East. As a homegrown streetwear label, B-Hype has built a strong following by staying true to its identity and values,' Henriquez said. The collaboration wasn't positioned as a traditional campaign — instead, it was marketed as a cultural drop powered by community storytelling. Both brands have loyal fan bases, and this partnership aimed to bring them together in an authentic way that kept those fans at the centre. View this post on Instagram A post shared by B Hype (@bhype_dxb) Henriquez explained, 'Our approach has always been about building cultural relevance in a way that felt organic, local, and true to both brands. B-Hype already resonates with youth audiences in the Middle East – not through mass advertising, but through its distinct voice, aesthetic and deep understanding of its community. By partnering with a brand that already 'speaks the language' of its audience, Hot Wheels was able to enter a cultural space with credibility.' She added, 'This mirrors our overall franchise strategy: showing up in the right places, with the right partners and joining with the community to take the story forward. Instead of traditional above-the-line (ATL) or paid media, we leaned into storytelling, word of mouth and cultural belonging – the kind of relevance you cannot buy, only earn.' The collaboration was created for the Middle East region, with a particular focus on the UAE. However, B-Hype's e-commerce platform supports global shipping, and the brands also expect interest from international fans due to the brand equity of both partners. This is a limited-edition, one-time drop launched in May 2025. Content and conversation will continue to roll out across digital channels in the weeks following the launch, driven by community engagement and social media relevance.
