Draft:Smokingroove

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Smokingroove is a British underground house DJ and producer based in Dubai. Born Monsafe Ben-Aicha and raised in Tottenham, London, to a Portuguese mother and Moroccan father, he began his career as part of a duo with his brother Marko Ben-Aicha. Since 2015, Smokingroove has continued as the solo project of Monsafe Ben-Aicha. He is one of the most prominent figures in Dubai's underground electronic music scene.[1][2]

Background

Monsafe Ben-Aicha grew up in Tottenham, north London, born to a Portuguese mother and Moroccan father. Monsafe gave his first DJ performance around 1994 in Soho, London, playing a mix of R&B, hip hop and new jack swing. By 1997 he had fully transitioned to house music, and that year he and his brother Marko Ben-Aicha formed Smokingroove and launched a radio show on Freak FM, one of London's best-known pirate radio stations and considered one of the birthplaces of UK garage, whose alumni include DJ EZ, The Dream Team and Miss Dynamite. Smokingroove hosted the only house music show on the station, and it was one of the first on London pirate radio to feature international guests, hosting artists including Roger Sanchez, The Stereo MCs, Stuart Price, Basement Jaxx, Erick Morillo, DJ Sneak, Nic Fanciulli, Audio Bullys, Honey Dijon and Masters at Work. Together they built a following on the London underground pirate radio scene, developing a sound rooted in deep, Chicago house and jackin' house music.[3] They have cited Roger Sanchez and Chicago producer Derrick Carter as primary influences.[3] In their early years, Smokingroove were managed by Miss Moneypenny's, the Birmingham-based global house music brand. In 2015, Marko stepped back from the project and Monsafe continued as Smokingroove alone.

Career

London to Dubai

In 2007, Marko relocated to Dubai while Monsafe remained in London. Both brothers continued to perform and record under the Smokingroove name across the two cities. Monsafe subsequently moved to Dubai in 2011.[3] Marko became a Pioneer DJ in the UAE and around 2014 took on the role of entertainment director at The Basement, a house and techno venue in TECOM's Boutique 7 Hotel & Suites.[4] From 2015, Monsafe has continued to perform and release music as the sole artist under the Smokingroove name.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

In 2014, both Monsafe and Marko Ben-Aicha appeared as film extras in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, directed by J. J. Abrams.[5] The production filmed location sequences in the Liwa desert outside Abu Dhabi, which served as a stand-in for the planet Jakku. Both were identified in leaked set photographs circulated by TMZ to the international press.[6][7][8]

Nasimi Beach residency

In 2009, Marko Ben-Aicha became the original resident DJ at the newly opened Nasimi Beach, a 5,000-capacity outdoor venue at the Atlantis The Palm on Palm Jumeirah.[1][2] Decoded Magazine described the residency as "the most coveted residency in the Middle East".[2] From 2012, Monsafe joined Marko as a resident at Nasimi Beach, as well as Nobu and N'dulge at Atlantis The Palm.[9] During this period they performed alongside artists including Faithless, Roger Sanchez, Derrick Carter, Armand Van Helden and Basement Jaxx.[2]

Dance FM

In 2016, Monsafe was appointed live events manager for Dance FM in Dubai, the first independent electronic music radio station in the UAE.[3]

W Dubai - The Palm

In 2018, Monsafe became music curator for the W Dubai - The Palm hotel on Palm Jumeirah, overseeing the sonic identity of the property at its opening.[4][10]

Productions and record labels

Decoded Magazine described Smokingroove as "one of the most in-demand production and DJ duos around", specialising in "deep, Chicago-flavoured jacking' house".[2] Releases have appeared on Roger Sanchez's Stealth Records, DJ Sneak's Magnetic Recordings, and their own imprint, Illuminati Records.[2] They compiled and mixed Pacha: Ibiza vs Dubai, the first in a series of Pacha Dubai compilation CDs released for global distribution,[1][2] and were appointed regional representatives for Café del Mar.[2] Between 2012 and 2017, Smokingroove served as regional brand ambassadors for Adidas Originals and New Era.[11][12]

Radio and podcasts

Smokingroove's weekly radio show, The Underground House Music Movement, began in 1997 on Freak FM. From around 2003, the show was recorded and distributed online, becoming one of the early house music podcasts available on Apple Podcasts. It featured guests including The Stereo MCs, Armand Van Helden, Roger Sanchez, Basement Jaxx, Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Erick Morillo and DJ Sneak.[2] The show ran until 2012 and was distributed internationally.

In 2015, Monsafe relaunched the series as The Underground Radio Show, which continued until early 2026 with an international audience.

International performances

Beyond Dubai, Smokingroove have performed at venues and events including their third instalment of Creamfields Abu Dhabi,[13] Pete Tong's Wonderland, El Divino Ibiza, Savannah Ibiza, Hed Kandi parties in Ibiza, Turnmills in London, Pacha London, Ministry of Sound and the Ministry of Sound Festival at Knebworth, MDM Festival in Moscow, The Ark Cruise from Barcelona to Ibiza alongside CamelPhat and Sister Bliss, and Moneypennys in Birmingham, as well as the Winter Music Conference in Miami.[2] They have also performed alongside Fatboy Slim, David Guetta, Florence and the Machine, Jamiroquai and Avicii, and appeared at DXBeach alongside Mark Ronson.[1][3]

In Dubai, Smokingroove have held a two-year residency at Terra Solis by Tomorrowland, performed at Pacha Dubai, Unite with Tomorrowland, the full Sandance music festival series, Eden Beachclub, Live Nation events, and Party in the Park, the annual outdoor festival by What's On magazine.

Awards and recognition

Time Out Dubai Music & Nightlife Awards, Best Dubai DJ - Won (2015)[3]

Time Out Dubai Music & Nightlife Awards, Best Dubai DJ - Nominated (2017)[14]

Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards, Best Local DJ - Highly Commended (2013 and 2014)[3]

What's On Awards, Favourite DJ - Shortlisted (2014)[15]

Ahlan! Magazine, Hot 100 in the UAE - Listed (2012)[16]

Listed among Dubai's best DJs by Time Out Dubai[17]

Selected discography

Singles and releases (selected)

Speaker Box - Stealth Records (2011)

Bumpin' My Tape - Magnetic Recordings (2012)

Step Up (2015)

La Puta (2015)

Full discography listed at Resident Advisor.[16]

References

  1. Campbell, Felicity (2 May 2012). "Dubai DJs making a splash here and abroad". The National. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  2. "Decoded spotlight on Dubai". Decoded Magazine. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  3. Tourish, Chanelle (5 May 2015). "Smokingroove DJ on the UAE house scene". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  4. Wright, Lesley (10 March 2021). "Former DJ Marko Smokingroove Launches Events Recruitment Agency". iamCrü. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  5. Han, Angie (27 May 2014). "Star Wars Bits: Carrie Fisher, 'Star Wars: Attack Squadrons', Boba Fett, And More". SlashFilm. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  6. "Star Wars Episode 7 Set Pictures". TMZ. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  7. Reed, Brad (2 June 2014). "Spoiler pictures from the set of Star Wars Episode VII leak showing new alien creature". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  8. Campbell, Felicity (18 June 2014). "Dubai-based DJ in leaked Star Wars: Episode VII photos?". The National. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  9. Ferguson, Sarah (19 November 2012). "Gilles Peterson to play Nasimi Beach on Friday". The National. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  10. Tay, Alison (14 April 2021). "Grazia Playlists: Monsafe Smokingroove". Grazia Middle East. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  11. Garratt, Rob (12 September 2013). "Spotlight on: Smokingroove". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  12. Saeed, Saeed (6 November 2013). "Adidas Originals: street art, music, fashion and skateboarding". The National. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  13. "Creamfields Abu Dhabi". Rolling Stone Middle East. 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  14. "Time Out Dubai Music & Nightlife Awards announced". Time Out Dubai. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  15. "What's On Awards 2014 - shortlist". What's On. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  16. "Smokingroove - Biography". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  17. "Dubai's best DJs". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 2026-06-15.

Official website

Smokingroove on Resident Advisor

Time Out Dubai feature (2015)