Midwest/Mideast
Haneef Raisani is Bringing the Sounds of Chicago to the Arab Street
by Laurie Canning | Published December 2006 | Features Archives

Dubai, United Arab Emirates might be a long, long way from Chicago, but that hasn't stopped House music from hitting their airwaves. The Persian Gulf state now has their first dance record label, Raisani Records, thanks to homegrown DJ/Producer Haneef Raisani.

Getting his break as a label manager at Universal Music Middle East when he was 19, Raisani wasn't always a Househead. "I wasn't really into House music then at Universal. I had to look after everything so I was more of a soul/funk/jazz guy." But, a year later that changed when he became a product buyer for Virgin Megastore and developed an inside distribution company that started importing dance tracks. He was able to get one label's business, Germany's CLUBSTAR Records, eventually leading to 1,000 labels including Defected, Soulfuric, Global Underground, Houseworks, NRK Yoshitoshi, Seamless, Bargrooves, and more. Raisani then decided to start Raisani Records and Raisani Entertainment Agency.

As an agent, Raisani hosts some of the best international House DJs and artists and is helping shape House into a global phenomenon including industry names like Roy Davis, Jr., Terry Hunter, Aston Martinez, Mateo & Matos, Jay-J, and DJ Pierre.

So, what carries House music as far away as the Middle East? It's not any concept of war - that's for sure. But is it all about love in Dubai? "Unfortunately, the House scene is not 'all love.' It's about the money as it always has been. There are a few good clubs here that just want to book big name DJs and sell tickets and get money from sponsors... As far as I know, I'm the only promoter here who puts on events with more respected DJs rather than big names, and we don't charge people to come to our parties."

As for his DJ side, besides three compilation CDs with the help of Danny Marquez, Raisani recently remixed Roland Clark's single "Deep in House" on Raisani Records. He also did a remix for Bollywood's hot duo JOSH out of Montreal. Currently, you can find Raisani working on a remix for Chicago-based producer DJ Pierre. He explains, "We are good friends, and I sent him the remix I did for that Bollywood artist. He was in love with it and asked me to remix his new single called 'Lift Your Voice'." Raisani is also keeping busy remixing a few records from Turkish producer DJ TEKIN, who had a record out last year on Defected Records. And, make sure to keep an ear out for his new single due out for Miami next year.

For more info on Raisani Records & Raisani Entertainment Agency visit raisani-records.com.

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