# Dubai Student Launches Record Label to Support Emerging Artists An 18-year-old pupil establishes a music company to provide opportunities for unknown talent. - **Source:** [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/31f75be4-5038-4f3d-b6d4-9306ebb3ab89 ## Teenager Launches Music Label Ranvir Shewakramani, an 18-year-old student at Arcadia British School in Dubai, has founded Out of State records. The label aims to support his own alternative rap career while providing a platform for unknown artists. He intends to release a collaborative album featuring musicians from countries including Egypt and South Africa. ## Mentorship Program Facilitates Growth The initiative was developed with guidance from the Forward Thinking Mentoring Programme, a UAE-based project supporting approximately 100 students. Founded by Dr. Navin Valrani, the program assists pupils with university applications, subject selection, and extracurricular ventures. Mentors help students refine their business ideas while balancing rigorous academic schedules and future career goals. ## Inspiration from Industry Leaders Shewakramani cites American rapper Travis Scott as his primary inspiration for the label. By observing how Scott’s Cactus Jack Records elevated local talent, the student hopes to replicate that model. He believes that providing access to professional resources will allow emerging artists to reach their full potential and showcase their unique talents. ## Balancing Academics and Entrepreneurship Despite his musical ambitions, Shewakramani remains focused on his studies at Arcadia British School. He plans to graduate next year and aspires to pursue a chemistry degree at the University of Southern California. His mentors have provided specific techniques to improve his time management, ensuring he can successfully juggle schoolwork and business. ## Diverse Student Entrepreneurial Projects The mentoring program supports various student-led ventures beyond music. Yasmine Farra, a 17-year-old at the American School of Dubai, created Yoodle Doodle, a company producing large-scale adult colouring outlines. She donates proceeds from her art sales to the Children’s Cancer Centre of Lebanon while preparing for university studies in psychology and art. ## Moving Beyond Transactional Counseling Dr. Navin Valrani established the program to counter the transactional nature of traditional college counseling. By emphasizing long-term relationships, the initiative helps students identify personal interests rather than just focusing on academic requirements. The program is open to students globally, with participants currently located in countries like Kenya, India, and Switzerland. ## Strategic Career Exploration Process Managing partner Natasha Hemdev notes that the program often begins as early as the eighth grade. Mentors use a blank-slate approach to help students discover their passions through apps, podcasts, or research projects. The process includes work experience, which helps students clarify their interests by identifying career paths they wish to avoid. ## Impact of Early Mentorship The program’s success is measured by the confidence students gain in taking their next steps. By providing feedback and organizational support, mentors enable young entrepreneurs to turn creative concepts into reality. This structured guidance ensures that students like Shewakramani and Farra can effectively pursue their professional interests while maintaining their academic progress. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/11/04/pupil-sets-up-record-company-to-champion-new-artists/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._