Connection is something I’ve been reflecting on a lot. The ways in which we connect at this time can feel inadequate in many ways, but I’ve found that reaching out with admiration for ones’ work can sometimes lead to a beautiful connection. This is how our newest Artist Spotlight came to be. 

 I have been a longtime fan of Habibi Funk Records, a reissue label based in Berlin, Germany dedicated to music from the Arab speaking world. I got to speak with Jannis Stürtz,  who is the co-founder and DJs under the moniker “Habibi Funk”. He also runs another favorite label of mine, Habibi Funk’s parent label, Jakarta Records, who has released albums from Benny Sings, Kaytranada, Mura Masa and many more. The ecosystem they have built has allowed them to put the artist first, and create deals that are both fair and beneficial to all who are involved, which to me, is an extremely important component to their continued success. In a time where worlds are divided and many are dismissive of others suffering, the amount of regard taken into how and why they share the music they do is especially poignant. I wholeheartedly respect the work that Habibi Funk Records has been doing. The historical aspect of sharing these reissues from Non-Western countries and shining light on these brilliant artists with such care and respect is in a way their form of rejecting colonialism’s stamp on what was never theirs to begin with. 

 The way in which Jannis talks about “music discovery” speaks to this point. In an interview with Primavera Club in 2018 he says, “saying you’ve discovered one of these records is like Christopher Columbus saying he discovered the Americas”. These works have existed and have been known by their regions, cities and circles. It exists, and we are merely as music lovers, sharing what is new to us. 

 Elevating black and brown voices is so important and Habibi Funk is simultaneously doing it on an international and niche scale. They intentionally stray away from cliché imagery and highlight artists and their music the way they intended the world to hear it. The thoughtfulness and deliberate actions taken by the Habibi Funk team is an example of what “for the love of music” – somsiren, stands for.  

 Habibi Funk has re-released an expansive collection of Arabic psychedelic funk, including albums by the Sudanese funk musician Kamal Keila and the jazz group The Scorpions and Saif Abu Bakr, as well as others such as Sharhabil Ahmed (Sudan’s “King of Jazz”), Ahmed Malek (Algerian Composer), Faradjallah & Attarazat Addahabia (Moroccan Band) , Mallek Mohamed (Algerian zouk music), and Hamid El Shaeri (Libyan-Egyptian singer). A few tracks from these re-releases were recently used for the Hulu series “Ramy”, which if you haven’t watched is a must see. Looking to the past and honoring the music that has come before us is a privilege. I have always been a fan of the nostalgia of sounds, that is why Habibi Funk speaks to me on a personal level. Please enjoy below the playlist Jannis has so graciously put together for SOMSIREN, and some of my favorite re-releases from the label (click to purchase).

PLAYLIST

Ada - Issam Hajali

Astawesalehu - Admas

A Beat For You (Original Mix) - Glen Adams

Shou Hal Ayyam (2008 Remastered) - Ziad Rahbani

Tabu - Cyril Diaz Orchestra 

Still Strange (feat. Priya Ragu & Sainte Ezekiel) - Oddisee

Rahat Ya Khal - Autostrad

Vis Implinit (Original Mix) - Raze De Soare

Gisela (Lion Rock) - Fitz Gore

La Ville - Ahmed Malek

Soul Brother - Dalton

Love Theme From Spartacus - Yusef Lateef

Dragonball Durag - Thundercat

Ayonha - Hamid Al Shaeri