Saturday Night Session 032: R3HAB confirms 2020 EP alongside Sofia Carson, talks working with Zayn Malik for ‘Flames’
Few moments are more sacred than the reprieve Saturday night provides from the daily grind of school and work. Its importance is meant to be emphasized, and thus, a feature dedicated to “doing the night right” was born. Saturday Night Sessions are set around energizing mixes meant to get the party started. New or old, each episode has one cornerstone thing in similarity: they serve as the perfect backdrop for the weekend pregame.
R3HAB is a producer who has successfully achieved mainstream notoriety while maintaining a positive affinity within the electronic music scene. Once an artist starts enlisting high-profile pop collaborators, many fans are quick to peg him or her as a sellout. R3HAB, whose real name is Fadil El Ghoul, has found a way to release singles authentic to his electronic beginnings while also producing radio hits that blend subtle progressive undertones with a compelling vocal line in order to maintain its radio appeal.
Recently, El Ghoul enlisted one of the most high-profile pop collaborators out there. He tapped Zayn Malik, former member of pop band One Direction, and Jungleboi for new single “Flames.” After the track received a warm reception, they have released an elaborate and thought-provoking music video for the single that’s set to come out in January.
Dancing Astronaut spoke to El Ghoul about the thought-provoking video, and about how the concept for the visual narrative came to be. He explains, “It’s Zayn’s creation to be honest. He had this concept and storyline, and all I really had to do was read it and enjoy.”
While “Flames” is the artist’s most recent release, he has been putting out music for more than a decade. He started off his career putting out various singles alongside Hardwell, and the rest is history. While El Ghoul’s music certainly speaks for itself, he believes that his studies and background in business is certainly a contributor to his success. He got a B.A. in economics, and he even goes as far to say that a lot of today’s successful artists are good entrepreneurs, which has directly correlated to their success. He states, “My mom insisted I study when I was younger. I followed economics and B.A. and I felt like I got a very good handle of things. I’ve definitely been able to apply those skills to my career. A lot of today’s successful artists are actually very good entrepreneurs.”
Fans of the producer’s experimentation with pop will be delighted to learn that he will be releasing a full EP in 2020 alongside Sofia Carson. The duo recently put out single “I luv You,” and their sonic chemistry is apparent.
When asked about his foray into pop and about the single itself, El Ghoul notes, “I’ve been experimenting for quite a while actually, going back to the Trouble album with the song with Verité and with Sofia Carson herself on “Rumors” from The Wave album. Electronic music has so many vibes and feels and I enjoy many of them. Besides, someone has to sing these tracks and Sofia does such a great job – we are actually releasing an EP together next year.”
Part of El Ghoul’s mark on the music industry has been his label CYB3RPVNK, a breeding ground for up-and-coming house artists, as well as the artist’s home for many of his own releases. When asked if there are any particular artists he has worked with through CYB3RPVNK who he thinks have burgeoning careers, he notes, “Please check out CITYZEN and Waysons both. Cityzen is a super productive new House producer that is getting lots of love all over at the moment. He just released a remix on OWSLA too. Waysons, is a duo that I’ve worked with for two years and now they are doing their solo thing – cool groovy atmospheric dance music.”
El Ghoul features both of these artists in his Saturday Night Session mix, which he promises prepares listeners for a Saturday night that is “always upbeat and energetic. Great music for the weekend and the freshest new sounds.”
You’ve stated that you have used your business education background to help you get your start in music. You’re such a household name now that we infrequently touch on your beginnings. Can you tell us more about this time in you career and how you applied your education to help you make it as a DJ and producer?
My mom insisted I study when I was younger. I followed economics and B.A. and I felt like I got a very good handle of things. I’ve definitely been able to apply those skills to my career. A lot of today’s successful artists are actually very good entrepreneurs.
Now that you have achieved what you have as a music producer and performer, what are your biggest goals for yourself? Where do you see the most opportunity for growth in your career?
There is still so much to be done. Great songs and collaborations to share with the world. So many artists to work with and not to mention many parts of the world that we are only just scratching the surface of.
The music video you guys put together for “Flames” has an incredibly elaborate story line. Can you tell us about your inspiration for the video? How did you all come up with this?
It’s Zayn’s creation to be honest. He had this concept and storyline, and all I really had to do was read it and enjoy.
You are currently on tour with Cash Cash. What have been some of your favorite or most anticipated stops on that tour?
We just did the Palladium in Hollywood which was insane. Very much looking forward to a sold out Avant Gardner in Brooklyn Nov. 29.
Is there any up and coming talent, perhaps who you have had sign songs to your label CYB3RPVNK, that you think will be a force to be reckoned with in the future?
Oh for sure. Please check out CITYZEN and Waysons both. Cityzen is a super productive new House producer that is getting lots of love all over at the moment + just released a remix on OWSLA too. Waysons, is a duo that I’ve worked with for 2 years and now they are doing their solo thing – cool groovy atmospheric dance music.
What is your ideal Saturday Night if you are not on tour?
In the studio making music of course :)
“I Luv U” shows your continuation of experimenting with pop following your single with Zayn Malik and Jungleboi. What has inspired you to experiment with this genre and is this a direction fans should start to expect from more of your releases in the future?
I’ve been experimenting for quite a while actually, going back to the Trouble album with the song with Verité and with Sofia Carson herself on “Rumors” from The Wave album. Electronic music has so many vibes and feels and I enjoy many of them. Besides, someone has to sing these tracks and Sofia does such a great job – we are actually releasing an EP together next year.
What kind of a Saturday night is your Saturday Night Session going to get listeners ready for?
Always upbeat and energetic. Great music for the weekend and the freshest new sounds.