Filipinos, Indians tune in to karaoke stages

Music and karaoke are two integral things in the life of Filipinos, and many people from the community are thronging karaoke stages at Gitex Shopper of two Dubai-based electronic companies vying to attract music loving communities.

While Filipinos are the most karaoke-obsessed community in the UAE, Indians are not too far behind.

Mediacom and Magic Star are the two companies offering karaoke systems at Gitex Shopper.

While a majority of those trying out the karaoke systems are from the Philippines, the firms are trying to attract other nationalities too, especially Arabs, who are not as addicted to karaoke like their Asian counterparts.

Sundip Hindocha, Sales and Distribution Manager of Mediacom International, is spearheading the campaign at the E Max store of Gitex Shopper with the help of four professional singers from the Philippines and India.

“So far 500-plus people have tried singing here using our Mediacom Happiness karaoke. Karaoke gives happiness and it is a fine family bonding tool in the Philippines. Karaoke also improves child confidence, develop talents of youngsters and is a good stress relief therapy. Without karaoke, there is no party for the Filipino community. We are selling happiness and music,” he said.

“We hope to achieve our target of selling 400 karaoke systems.”

An MCI 6299TW premium karaoke player is on offer at Dh1,045.

Magic Star, which claims to have 40 per cent of the karaoke market in the UAE, is trying to spread the music culture to other communities, especially Arabs, who do not have such a music tradition.

“Our customers are mainly Kabayans and Indians and now in association with Rotana, we are trying to make 2,000 songs available on karaoke. Magic Star and Rotana have jointly launched an exclusive Arabic karaoke system - using the Magic Star MS805 priced at Dh1,249,” said Abdul Hameed Osama, sales manager of Magic Star.

“Arabs generally don’t have a karaoke culture but now we are trying to develop that market,” he said.

“The peak season for karaoke sales is between September and December, when the expat community travels home,” he added.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.