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Whether she’s playing her regular slot at Berghain or tearing up the crowd at EDM mega-festival Tomorrowland or Awakenings, Nur Jaber is no stranger to the dancefloor, first gaining recognition after moving to Berlin from her homeland of Beirut over ten years ago. The Lebanese DJ and producer quickly rose the ranks of the electronic music underground with her distinct strain of techno, which combines an intoxicating mix of live vocals and traditional Arab sounds tied to her homeland. As a DJ, Jaber’s sets are highly emotional, a far cry from the cold, mechanical churn typically hooked to the city’s techno scene, and often bring together themes of freedom and resistance, a similar theme that can be felt on releases such as her 2019 transcendent single “Beyond Borders” or “Habibi (Our Legacy Lives)”.
Her upcoming release END OF AN ERA (NIHAYET HAQBAH) marks the end of her decade-long techno project, and the beginning of a new creative path for Jabar. Reflecting on her personal experiences growing up in a war zone, as well as the dehumanisation of Arabs and Israel’s ongoing genocide, the EP is dedicated to “the people of Lebanon” – “as part of the world feels like it’s turning against us during this devastating time, brainwashing the masses, I proudly say I am Lebanese and I stand with my brothers and sisters,” she asserts. “We will not be erased, we will not be victimised and we will not be forgotten.”
As she plots her next moves as an artist, we caught up with Jabar to discuss her new EP, Berlin’s ever-changing club culture, and why she’s no longer falling for the “Berghain trap”.
This is your final project under Nur Jaber. What made you put an end to this era?
Nur Jaber: For almost two years now, I was feeling really restricted as a music producer. At the studio I wanted to write all kinds of stuff and I wanted to share the music with my fans but every time I would put out something other than techno I got scolded for it not being ‘real techno’. ‘Stick to Berghain’. ‘Stay in Berghain’. Also the management I was working with would tell me to ‘stick to one genre to be able to reach a crowd and become a brand’. It really fucked with my head, all this outside noise, and the traveling didn’t help me feel grounded. I guess I fell into the Berghain trap as an artist, where I focused on staying underground and people knew me as that. I was saying no to things outside of that, that potentially burnt bridges, when I really wanted to colour outside the lines after I got bored of it.
Don’t get me wrong, I am so blessed to have visited all these magical places and the gigs were amazing but it just led to a massive burnout in 2023, which lingered until now. Nobody really talks about this. I am sure most artists feel this way but just show you the side of perfection, social media stuff. I can’t do that. I couldn’t separate the persona from the real Nour.
The EP is dedicated to the people of Lebanon. Can you tell us a bit more about this?
Nur Jaber: The whole EP was written around what it feels like to be Lebanese. It’s a mixture of celebration and mourning. Constantly living above a ground that feels like it’s going to erupt with fire at any moment, and not belonging anywhere but also living everywhere. Celebrating our Heritage with the sound samples in habibi yet mourning the loss of our people through the prayers in ravi.
I wanted to represent the part of our music culture that is powerful, hypnotic, euphoric, nostalgic. As the world feels like it’s turning against us, I wanted these tracks to be emitting a frequency in venues all around the world, that are making people dance, opening up their minds. We are not as ‘they’ portray us to be ‘extremists’ or ‘victims’. I won’t accept us to ever be victimised. Our musical history is extremely rich and it’s only now being re-discovered again. I want to be a part of that movement.
What’s next for you musically?
Nur Jaber: I cannot say anything for sure yet but I’m currently taking singing lessons and all I know is that I am being sent by my ancestors back to the Middle East to explore different sounds and collaborate with different Arabic artists. There is some work to be done, and it will all be unravelled to me soon.
You’re currently based in Berlin. How would you describe the club scene there at the moment?
Nur Jaber: It’s nothing like it used to be. When I moved here in 2010 the scene was so alive, colourful, fresh! I feel it’s a bit toxic when it comes to wanting to colour outside the techno lines. Plus, most of the club’s queues used to be filled with people dressed in all types of cool coloured clothing, not in black. Today, I feel it’s more polished, branded, and too serious. I mean lots of historical clubs are closing, the essence of Berlin’s club culture! but new ones are coming up, which is something to have hope for I guess. Lots of great open airs, and RSO is pretty cool too.
What do you like most about the club? What sort of vibe are you after?
Nur Jaber: Dancing! I love being in a warm club, powerful sound system, driving hypnotic music, sweating, tops off, dancing, smiling with the people around me, having a good time, feeling connected.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given?
Nur Jaber: You need to take as many gigs as possible, to gain momentum, to be out there at the top. The more gigs you have the cooler you are. Fuck that advice. No-one warns you about burnout, and no-one actually cares about your health. They see you as money-making machines. Please don’t fall into that trap and trust no-one but yourself!
And the best?
Nur Jaber: Collaboration and networking is key to building your music career and supporting others around you. Be open to experiment!
What are you listening to at the moment?
Nur Jaber: I’m listening to a lot of Nemahsis, Mustafa the Poet, Acid Arab, Bu Nasser Touffar, and a lot of Arabic music from the 60s in general. I also have days of just listening to hip hop and Drake.
Tell us about your Dazed mix.
I wanted to include released and unreleased music from me in the first half of this mix as a tribute to Nur Jaber’s signature sound, followed by tracks I’ve been playing in my DJ sets at the moment. Of course, it’s all painted in vocals as I’m a sucker for them. That’s what my supporters know me for, so I wanted to dedicate this piece to them!
Thanks for having me Dazed!
Tracklist
Nur Jaber – Egyptian Prayer
Nur Jaber – Taqa 3alya
Nur Jaber – L’Maktoub
Nur Jaber – Yalla Tnam
Nur Jaber Ft. Repeat – Energie & Liebe
Nur Jaber – Habibi (Our Legacy Lives)
Nur Jaber – A Life Beyond This Mortal Realm
Nur Jaber – Closing A Chapter
Nur Jaber Ft. Repeat – Du, Ich, Wir
Kyoto Oyster – Vermeer
Reform (IT), Partenope – Play That Fact
Eli Brown – Make You Freak
Acid Arab – Ya Mahla
Tao Andra – Body & Soul
Nur Jaber’s Bausa edit – Not For Sale
Nur Jaber’s final EP, END OF AN ERA (NIHAYET HAQBAH), releases tomorrow (22 November).
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Whether she’s playing her regular slot at Berghain or tearing up the crowd at EDM mega-festival Tomorrowland or Awakenings, Nur Jaber is no stranger to the dancefloor, first gaining recognition after moving to Berlin from her homeland of Beirut over ten years ago. The Lebanese DJ and producer quickly rose the ranks of the electronic music underground with her distinct strain of techno, which combines an intoxicating mix of live vocals and traditional Arab sounds tied to her homeland. As a DJ, Jaber’s sets are highly emotional, a far cry from the cold, mechanical churn typically hooked to the city’s techno scene, and often bring together themes of freedom and resistance, a similar theme that can be felt on releases such as her 2019 transcendent single “Beyond Borders” or “Habibi (Our Legacy Lives)”.
Her upcoming release END OF AN ERA (NIHAYET HAQBAH) marks the end of her decade-long techno project, and the beginning of a new creative path for Jabar. Reflecting on her personal experiences growing up in a war zone, as well as the dehumanisation of Arabs and Israel’s ongoing genocide, the EP is dedicated to “the people of Lebanon” – “as part of the world feels like it’s turning against us during this devastating time, brainwashing the masses, I proudly say I am Lebanese and I stand with my brothers and sisters,” she asserts. “We will not be erased, we will not be victimised and we will not be forgotten.”
As she plots her next moves as an artist, we caught up with Jabar to discuss her new EP, Berlin’s ever-changing club culture, and why she’s no longer falling for the “Berghain trap”.
This is your final project under Nur Jaber. What made you put an end to this era?
Nur Jaber: For almost two years now, I was feeling really restricted as a music producer. At the studio I wanted to write all kinds of stuff and I wanted to share the music with my fans but every time I would put out something other than techno I got scolded for it not being ‘real techno’. ‘Stick to Berghain’. ‘Stay in Berghain’. Also the management I was working with would tell me to ‘stick to one genre to be able to reach a crowd and become a brand’. It really fucked with my head, all this outside noise, and the traveling didn’t help me feel grounded. I guess I fell into the Berghain trap as an artist, where I focused on staying underground and people knew me as that. I was saying no to things outside of that, that potentially burnt bridges, when I really wanted to colour outside the lines after I got bored of it.
Don’t get me wrong, I am so blessed to have visited all these magical places and the gigs were amazing but it just led to a massive burnout in 2023, which lingered until now. Nobody really talks about this. I am sure most artists feel this way but just show you the side of perfection, social media stuff. I can’t do that. I couldn’t separate the persona from the real Nour.
The EP is dedicated to the people of Lebanon. Can you tell us a bit more about this?
Nur Jaber: The whole EP was written around what it feels like to be Lebanese. It’s a mixture of celebration and mourning. Constantly living above a ground that feels like it’s going to erupt with fire at any moment, and not belonging anywhere but also living everywhere. Celebrating our Heritage with the sound samples in habibi yet mourning the loss of our people through the prayers in ravi.
I wanted to represent the part of our music culture that is powerful, hypnotic, euphoric, nostalgic. As the world feels like it’s turning against us, I wanted these tracks to be emitting a frequency in venues all around the world, that are making people dance, opening up their minds. We are not as ‘they’ portray us to be ‘extremists’ or ‘victims’. I won’t accept us to ever be victimised. Our musical history is extremely rich and it’s only now being re-discovered again. I want to be a part of that movement.
What’s next for you musically?
Nur Jaber: I cannot say anything for sure yet but I’m currently taking singing lessons and all I know is that I am being sent by my ancestors back to the Middle East to explore different sounds and collaborate with different Arabic artists. There is some work to be done, and it will all be unravelled to me soon.
You’re currently based in Berlin. How would you describe the club scene there at the moment?
Nur Jaber: It’s nothing like it used to be. When I moved here in 2010 the scene was so alive, colourful, fresh! I feel it’s a bit toxic when it comes to wanting to colour outside the techno lines. Plus, most of the club’s queues used to be filled with people dressed in all types of cool coloured clothing, not in black. Today, I feel it’s more polished, branded, and too serious. I mean lots of historical clubs are closing, the essence of Berlin’s club culture! but new ones are coming up, which is something to have hope for I guess. Lots of great open airs, and RSO is pretty cool too.
What do you like most about the club? What sort of vibe are you after?
Nur Jaber: Dancing! I love being in a warm club, powerful sound system, driving hypnotic music, sweating, tops off, dancing, smiling with the people around me, having a good time, feeling connected.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given?
Nur Jaber: You need to take as many gigs as possible, to gain momentum, to be out there at the top. The more gigs you have the cooler you are. Fuck that advice. No-one warns you about burnout, and no-one actually cares about your health. They see you as money-making machines. Please don’t fall into that trap and trust no-one but yourself!
And the best?
Nur Jaber: Collaboration and networking is key to building your music career and supporting others around you. Be open to experiment!
What are you listening to at the moment?
Nur Jaber: I’m listening to a lot of Nemahsis, Mustafa the Poet, Acid Arab, Bu Nasser Touffar, and a lot of Arabic music from the 60s in general. I also have days of just listening to hip hop and Drake.
Tell us about your Dazed mix.
I wanted to include released and unreleased music from me in the first half of this mix as a tribute to Nur Jaber’s signature sound, followed by tracks I’ve been playing in my DJ sets at the moment. Of course, it’s all painted in vocals as I’m a sucker for them. That’s what my supporters know me for, so I wanted to dedicate this piece to them!
Thanks for having me Dazed!
Tracklist
Nur Jaber – Egyptian Prayer
Nur Jaber – Taqa 3alya
Nur Jaber – L’Maktoub
Nur Jaber – Yalla Tnam
Nur Jaber Ft. Repeat – Energie & Liebe
Nur Jaber – Habibi (Our Legacy Lives)
Nur Jaber – A Life Beyond This Mortal Realm
Nur Jaber – Closing A Chapter
Nur Jaber Ft. Repeat – Du, Ich, Wir
Kyoto Oyster – Vermeer
Reform (IT), Partenope – Play That Fact
Eli Brown – Make You Freak
Acid Arab – Ya Mahla
Tao Andra – Body & Soul
Nur Jaber’s Bausa edit – Not For Sale
Nur Jaber’s final EP, END OF AN ERA (NIHAYET HAQBAH), releases tomorrow (22 November).
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