Farhot Samples Arabic & Somali Classics in Downtempo EP ‘Raqs’

Afghan-born producer Farhot has been a Deutschrap staple since the mid-2000s, known for his unruly productions that celebrate his heritage through a collage of vocal samples and diasporic sounds.

His latest offering, ‘Raqs’, Farhot steps outside his comfort zone to explore the musical heritage of mostly Arabic-speaking regions from North Africa to West Asia and East Africa. He samples classics and traditional sounds from Egypt, Lebanon and Somalia, crafting complex and playful productions that are still imbued with his sonic signature, particularly his unconventional approach to chopping and distorting vocals. Built for the dancefloor, the five-track EP is a chillout groove that almost serves as a scattershot homage to rich and diverse musical traditions across the region.

On ‘Hooyoo’, Farhot linked up with German record producer Siriusmo, flipping Somali traditional dance melodies into a bouncy afro-house cut, while ‘Yana’, featuring Daniel Kimaz, samples the chorus of Sabah’s ‘Yana Yana’ into a hybrid of classical compositions, rattling drum loops, and ambient textures. Meanwhile, Fairuz’s ‘Al Quds’ appears drastically different, dressed in almost experimental uptempo productions.