Before the establishment of Habibi Funk, Western knowledge and interest on music from the Middle East and North African region was rare. With the small exception of classical Arabic songs being sampled in American hip-hop and R&B tracks, there was no representation of Arab music in the West. Aware of this issue, Jannis Stürtz, a born and bred Berliner, decided to co-found Habibi Funk in 2015. 

With a unique focus on vintage 1970s and 1980s funk and jazz, the label documents almost forgotten artists and albums from the MENA region and provides a platform for the music in the West. The role of music conservation is at the forefront of Habibi Funk’s work. Aware of the long history of European colonisation in the Middle East, Jannis Stürtz is aware of issues around Arab representation. He chooses to split all profits with the families of the artists he features, and ensures that all artist imagery is original and respectful.

“If you’re a European or Western label and you’re dealing with non-European artists’ music, there’s obviously a special responsibility to make sure you don’t reproduce historic economic patterns of exploitation, which is the number one thing when it comes to the post-colonial aspect of what we are doing” 

Jannis Stürtz, speaking with The Vinyl Factory

Of course, not all of Stürtz’s fans come from a European background. Many of the label’s supporters are young Arabs living in Europe and North America . Often second-generation refugees and immigrants, these fans connect with Habibi Funk’s music on a personal level. Rather than keeping up-to-date with contemporary music from the Middle East, those living abroad may hold on to their parents and grandparents’ musical interests and frame these within their understandings of ‘home’. 

Often contacted by young Arabs about his project, Stürtz receives recommendations for reissues from his fan-base. Some message him after finding their families’ vinyl collections and show interest in contributing to his project. By making the music label a collaborative process, the revival of vintage Arab jazz and funk is done without excessively justifying and testifying  the genre. 

Collaboration with other creatives is a fundamental part of Habibi Funk’s ethos. On their online shop, they sell tote bags and t-shirts designed by Lebanese illustrator Raphaelle Macaron printed with the slogan ‘THE FUTURE IS FEMALE’ in both English and Arabic. They donate 100% of their merchandise proceeds to REVUE HAWA, a cultural publication run by 3 young women from Algeria and Tunisia. Although REVUE HAWA is not a registered charity, their work provides a safe space to the voices and opinions of young women from the North African region and supports them in creating their own independent editorial spaces. 

Habibi Funk’s next record release will be ‘Mouasalat Ila Jacad El Ard’, the label’s 10th reissue. You can pre-order it here.