Mario Bazouri: "Discipline, patience, and resilience shape how I approach music"
- Editorial Staff
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
Mario Bazouri is a Lebanese-born DJ and producer who grew up in Spain and now lives in Dubai. He discovered electronic music in the ’90s while working as a PR at a Spanish disco bar, and since then he has been a driving force in shaping Dubai’s club scene with events like "DEEP NIGHTS", hosting internationally renowned DJs. Today, he is a key figure in the city’s underground scene, holding residencies at venues such as Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Iris Dubai, and Playa Pacha Dubai, as well as a weekly show on Ibiza Global Radio UAE. His sound, influenced by artists like Bedouin, Dixon, and Patrice Baumel, blends solid grooves, engaging percussion, ethnic textures, and melodic synths. His productions have been released on labels including Sudam Recordings and Sony Music, and he has also created a sample pack to support emerging producers. Outside of music, Mario is a black belt and competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, reflecting the same dedication and discipline he brings to his career.
"Heaven", your recent collaboration with Shahin Shantiaei on Life In Colour, has a very evocative sound. How did the track come about and what did you want to express through it?
"Heaven" actually started as a track Shahin had written and sung on some time ago. About a year and a half back, I was in his studio listening to his unfinished projects when i cam across "Heaven" and immediately connected with the vocals. I asked him to send me the stems so we could collaborate, and that’s where the magic began. Together we wanted to capture the paradox of today’s world—how we’re glued to our phones, disconnected from reality—and question if the Heaven we’ve always believed in has somehow fallen into the wrong hands.
You grew up listening to artists like Michael Jackson and Prince but were shaped by the Bacalao and underground scene in Spain. How do those early influences still shape your style as a DJ and producer today?
Those roots gave me rhythm and soul from pop legends, and edge and depth from the underground. What has always stayed with me is the groove—that’s what drives my music regardless of the genre. Whether I’m playing melodic, Afro, or deep, it’s always about keeping that flow alive on the dancefloor.
You played a key role in developing Dubai’s nightlife with "DEEP NIGHTS", bringing legends like Danny Tenaglia and John Digweed to the city. How do you see the scene then compared to now?
Back then, the scene was raw and we were building a culture from scratch. Deep Nights and Peppermint were two of the main club nights that took part in shaping the Dubai market. Today the scene is more mature, diverse, and international, with global talent frequently coming through on a regular basis.
Your music blends solid grooves, ethnic percussions, and dark melodic synths. What are the elements you always try to keep in your productions to make your sound recognizable?
Groove is always at the core—that’s what moves me. Regardless of the genre I’m working on, my tracks are always layered with some type of organic or metallic percussion to give them texture and drive. I like to keep the sound hypnotic yet human, with layers that bring the track to life.
Beyond music, you’re also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and competitor. Do you feel the discipline and energy of martial arts influence your creative approach in the studio or during your sets?
Not only has BJJ been a great influence in my life, teaching me discipline, patience, and resilience, but it also shapes how I approach music. I’ve always built my sets based on energy, and BJJ reinforces that—it's all about timing, flow, and knowing when to push or hold back. Those same qualities guide me in the studio and behind the decks.
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