Former DJ Marko Smokingroove Launches Events Recruitment Agency

We love to see our pals striking out on their own. Dubai face and former DJ Mark Ben-Aicha – known to an army of clubheads as Marko Smokingroove – has launched his own recruitment agency. Esmos Recruitment specializes in placing the right people in the right jobs across the UAE’s events industry.

“Some people think I’m mad considering the global climate but I believe the time is right,” said Mark. “Two weeks in and I’m flat out. Business is really, really good. I’ve always believed in the events industry and have always managed to reinvent myself within it.”

House Music All Night Long

Flying solo or with his brother Safe, Mark DJed at some of the most legendary clubs and festivals in Dubai. After co-founding entertainment and event management company Mais Musica, Mark was instrumental in launching Nasimi Beach, at Atlantis The Palm. He’s shared the stage with everyone from Carl Cox and Basement Jaxx to Nicole Moudaber, Giles Peterson and Purple Disco Machine and rocked Audiotonic, N’Dulge and the huge Sandance festivals with his fine selection of house music.

As Smokingroove, Mark and Safe picked up ‘Best DJ Award’ at the 2014 Hype Awards. Soon after Mark launched Shibuya at The Basement. The antithesis to Dubai’s champagne and sparklers club nights, Shibuya was a favourite with the iamCrü gang. It won ‘Best House and Techno Night’ at the 2015 Hype Award.

Best in the Business

Sadly for us, Mark stopped DJing professionally five years ago. After hanging up his cans, he joined Kingston Stanley and built up the firm’s Events & Exhibitions department. “I’ve really got to grips with who does what and who the movers and shakers are within the industry.”

Now Esmos Recruitment represents the best professionals in the business – from AV techs through to event managers and business development specialists. While Esmos will recruit globally, Mark is focusing his attention on the local market in the short-term. “Many people in the events industry lost their jobs due to Covid,” said Mark. “We need to do what we can to get the local industry back on its feet as quickly as possible. There is very good talent here in the UAE and in the region.”

Industry professionals can reach Mark via LinkedIn. Safe Smokingroove is Music Curator and resident DJ at W, The Palm. Get down there and check him out when DJs return to the decks.

Also read: Lee Tunnicliffe Joins iamCrü