Habibi Funk: Crate-Digging across the Middle East and busting Arabic stereotypes
We speak to the world-renowned record label about its new Keakie series.
One of music’s endearing qualities is its ability to completely shift one’s perception of a culture and to place it within its proper context. With the increase in interest in non-Western music over the last decade and a half, much work is being done to uncover the depth and breadth of continents far and wide. To this end, Habibi Funk is one of the most forward-thinking record labels around, with its sole purpose of shining a light on the eclectic sounds of the Arab world.
Based in Berlin and reissuing lesser-known records by artists from North Africa and the Middle East, with a focus on re-releasing often forgotten and unheard gems from the pop and Funk artists of the 1960s-1980s, the label, headed up by Jannis Stürtz since 2012, has transcended its focus to become a leading entity for music outside of the Western realm. Its discography charts the entire Arab world, tracing the history of Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Sudan and other splinters of the Arab diaspora, reimagining our understanding of the burgeoning musical movements of a bygone era.
Habibi Funk’s ecosystem also goes a long way in helping the artists they work with, licensing music directly from the artists or their families and sharing 50% of all profits with them, an instance of cultural and financial exchange meeting in harmony.
On its new Keakie show, Habibi Funk showcases funky-gnawa sounds, Disco and Reggae from Libya, Lebanese Jazz-Funk and more unexpected pearls from their unique collection. We spoke to Stürtz to get the lowdown on its new series and the inspiration behind discovering the music of the Arab world.
“As a label, you are ideally the bridge between music you like and you feel needs more listeners and the artist.”
What is the premise of Habibi Funk’s new show on Keakie?
Jannis Stürtz: There is no particular premise. We often use mixes to ‘summarise’ a certain research into a particular country or sound. So, with this show, we're just sharing little parts of our research process.
Which genres and sounds do you want to showcase with the show?
JS: Everything from Raï to Algerian soundtracks, Libyan Reggae, Egyptian and Sudanese Jazz, Lebanese Rock and everything in between.
What initially sparked your interest in music from the Arab world?
JS: We used to have an artist on our label Jakarta Records called Blitz the Ambassador who used to get some gigs in Morocco. While I was there I started digging, found some incredible stuff and did the first mix. Around that time, the idea to do some reissues was formed, so we started to try to find those artists from back then in order to license the music and write down their stories.
Habibi Funk founder, Jannis Stürtz
What has been the most satisfying aspect of releasing records from this region?
JS: As a label, you are ideally the bridge between music you like and you feel needs more listeners and the artist. So the most satisfying aspect is if, as a label, you succeed in creating an interest and listenership for the music you work with.
When is the ideal time for listeners to check out the Habibi Funk show?
JS: I don't think our mixes cater to a specific time of the day, though to be fair they are not aimed for a club context either. So it might not be what you're looking for on a Friday evening or Saturday night but apart from that, it's pretty open.
What do you want listeners to take from the show?
JS: Our mixes are really just about sharing music we come across and that we feel like sharing for one reason or another so if the listeners enjoy the music and ideally the episodes spark some further interest into the music presented this is all what we hope the listeners will take away from each episode.
Share this story