Habitati (Habib-Tati) is a DJ from London with Armenian, Iranian and Iraqi ethnic roots. We have spoken to Habitati about her background, music and a guest mix for LVBZ, where she has blended various tunes and genres, representing her taste in music as well as the cultural and ethnic heritage.

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Hi! To start with you, could you please share 3 fun facts about yourself?

 

I'm under 5ft.

I truly believe in spiritual healing.

I don't feel restrained by any art form whatsoever, and neither should you! 

 

Speaking about restraints, how do you perceive freedom?

 

As a 2nd gen person, I have been especially privileged to be able to not have my freedom taken away from me. However, there are restrictions and barriers for many people around the world. I would say freedom is having a choice, a path that is positive and being able to live your authentic self with basic human rights. For some and many of my friends, family and relatives they have had their freedom threatened and for the LGBTQ+ community, there are still millions of people who are not able to live how they please. I truly believe there is hope within the community action and solidarity. 

 

Which music, art and culture influenced you and why?

 

My cultural heritage influenced me when I DJ and make music, the rhythms on the Darbuka or Dhol has been a rhythmic basis to enjoying other genres of music. Having grown up in a city full of different sounds, it is an absolute privilege to be able to have that influence in my mixes and sounds.  I've said this before, a lot of my friends and I listen to dance music like gabba, grime, hip hop, afrobeat, hardcore, hyper pop and the list goes on. There is never one choice for me, I enjoy them all.

 

How music & culture from your region is different from other parts of the world?

 

Wow — what a question! I think Armenia, Iran and Iraq have very different sounds and genres that are very individual. However, I will say this as someone who has grown up with the different sounds, the familiarity of dancing as a group and community is particularly special to the region. There are 100s of dances from celebration to mourning, there are new and contextualised ways the Gen-Z are bringing that help keep these traditions and sounds to life. For example, opening queer club nights and platforms like these that enable young people to gain the opportunity to learn about their culture and heritage through music.  

 

Speaking about your mix for LVBZ, what is it about?

 

This mix tells a story, the first part reminds me of listening to Iranian pop music in my grandmothers home with a blend of what I was listening to outside of the home. The second part is just mixing Arab/Armenian music to songs that give you all the good energy, and transcendence of energy. What I try and do with my mixes is picture the blend and baseline with something that wants to make you raise your eyebrows, and get up! I think at some point I mix The Streets Maya Nasri, gagged.

 

What’s your favourite track in the mix?

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Britney- Overprotected (of course)

 

What is the best location and set to listen to your mix?

 

On the way to work, going to the club or making your tea, you choose hun x.

 

Which moment is the most touching/emotional moment in your mix and why?

 

Probably when Fairuz is playing, my grandad passed away last year and he used to love listening to her and it brings a lot of sweet memories. The ending is also very powerful I found this beautiful video (it's old sorry about the quality) of  Isabel Beyrakdarian and the Tatev Choir which touches on the historical classical music of Armenia that is very much part of our culture today.  So I wanted to pay tribute to that and my ancestors.

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Enjoy a fine selection of S.W.A.N.A music which Habitati kindly selected for LVBZ.

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