48 November 2015 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Hassan Bin Shams Hassan, who goes by the alias, Tiny, says the song has been distributed on more than 100 platforms including iTunes, Spotify, Shazam and Tidal. “I’m the first Bahraini to be distributed over that many platforms as an English language artist,” he explains. “The video also stars Bahraini model Shereen Ahmed and three other artists, Tomi Thomas, Bris B and Chukki Abii.” The video was shot by a company based in Sweden and Dubai called UrbanMass who, incidentally, also distributed Tiny’s music world-wide. The half Bahraini, half Seychellois performer credits his co-stars for making the filming of the video a fun process. “We had to interact with each other in a very serious manner, which was pretty funny since that’s not how we really act together,” he says. “A lot of laughs were shared, I must say.” Despite his larger than life personality, Tiny got his nickname as a youngster while playing LET’S FACE THE MUSIC football at the rugby club in Bahrain. “I had a coach who loved getting creative with nicknames and that was the one he gave me — ever since then it stuck.” Dubai-based since 2008, Tiny moved to the UAE to study for a degree in human resource management and to follow his dream of being a singer. “It was pretty difficult in Bahrain at that time due to not having the right tools and platforms,” he says. “But it’s rapidly growing and looking great now!” Although Tiny successfully obtained his degree, he decided to dedicate himself entirely to music. “I am a full-time musician and I believe you have to take risks if you want your dreams to become a reality,” he says. “If it happens too fast it means your dreams aren’t big enough.” Tiny says that his family are not only supportive of his dream, they’re his biggest fans. “My family push my music more than I do,” he exclaims. “Especially my oldest brother. Once I post anything I receive a notification in seconds saying he has shared it — gotta love the big bro.” Tiny currently works independently without a label or management and this suits him perfectly. “Artists will reach that point where they can end up doing it all alone after years of experience,” he says. His advice to other aspiring musicians is simple — perseverance. “Never give up, because you will be rejected more than accepted as a musician,” he says. “If you have the hustle and drive to reach new heights, trust me, you will get closer and closer the more you push.” Although the R&B singer is in Dubai, he hopes to return to the Kingdom to perform soon. “I do plan to come back and gig soon, inshallah,” he says. “I’m just waiting for the bookings to come in then I’m set and ready to go.” The video is now available on Tiny’s VEVO channel — TinyMusiqVEVO. CHARLIE HOLDING Bahraini singer-songwriter Hassan Bin Shams is hoping the music video for his new single Eyes will strike a chord with fans in the Kingdom and around the world.
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