DJ Habibeats Shazam Fast Forward 2026 selection places the Arab DJ among a global roster of rising electronic artists.
The program, curated by Shazam, highlights emerging talents showing rapid international growth and streaming momentum.
Shazam has officially revealed its Fast Forward Class of 2026, spotlighting the most exciting rising artists predicted to break through in the coming year — and DJ Habibeats is among this year’s standout selections.
DJ Habibeats (Ibrahim Abu Ali) is a Palestinian-American DJ and producer known for blending Middle Eastern sounds with global genres such as Afrobeats, Latin, and hip-hop. His high-energy performances and culturally driven vision have turned his events — especially his viral concept Habibi’s House — into a movement rather than just a party.
Originally from San Francisco and now based in Los Angeles, Habibeats began DJing at just 13 years old. Over the years, he has built a strong following through a sound and community that celebrates pan-Arab identity while bridging Eastern heritage with Western club culture.
Rather than following mainstream electronic formulas, Habibeats builds a bridge between cultures — merging nostalgic Arabic melodies with modern dance production. This fusion has become his signature and a major reason behind his growing international recognition.
Shazam Journey
Habibeats’ track “Ala Meen” peaked at #141 on Egypt’s Shazam charts in August, marking an early breakthrough in the region. The momentum continued when “El Youm El Helw Dah” charted in Azerbaijan in October, showing the cross-border appeal of his sound.
🎵 Biggest Shazam hit:
“El Youm El Helw Dah”
The track stands out for its emotional Arabic vocals layered over modern dance grooves — a formula that resonates strongly with global audiences searching for authentic cultural crossover music.
Arabic Roots & Musical Identity
Habibeats draws heavily from:
-
Classic Arabic pop & folk melodies
-
Vintage Middle Eastern vocal samples
-
Traditional Arabic scales and progressions
-
Storytelling rooted in regional culture
His productions feel familiar yet futuristic — honoring heritage while pushing it into club-ready territory. This cultural duality allows him to connect with:
-
Arab listeners seeking representation in electronic music
-
International audiences discovering Arabic-influenced dance music
Habibeats represents a new generation of artists reclaiming Arabic sounds inside modern electronic spaces — not as a gimmick, but as a genuine artistic expression.
What Is Shazam Fast Forward?
Shazam Fast Forward is an annual program designed to identify artists on the verge of global discovery. Using predictive data combined with Apple Music’s editorial expertise, the initiative tracks rising talent across 20 genres and 22 countries.
Last year’s Fast Forward Class of 2025 delivered:
-
67% average increase in Shazam discoveries
-
70% growth in radio spins
-
12 artists more than doubled their Shazam numbers
-
14 artists hit their highest daily discovery peaks ever
On Apple Music:
-
Collective streams rose by over 100%
-
80% of artists increased total plays
-
46% saw growth exceeding 100% year-over-year
Why This Matters
Being selected for Fast Forward 2026 places DJ Habibeats among a global group of artists expected to define the next wave of dance and electronic music.
For Habibeats, this recognition confirms what his growing fanbase already knows:
Arabic-influenced electronic music is no longer underground — it’s global.
