Toronto’s STACKT Market transformed into an open-air celebration of global dance music on May 17 as DJ Habibeats brought his acclaimed Habibi’s House event series to the 6ix for a vibrant afternoon and evening gathering. Presented as part of a summer kickoff event, the show turned the downtown venue into a multicultural dancefloor fueled by Arabic, Afro House, Latin House, and club music influences.
DJ Habibeats is a DJ and producer crafting culturally rich soundscapes that bridge traditional Arabic and Middle Eastern influences and the pulse of global club culture. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Palestinian-American artist is leading a new wave of music with a sound that celebrates the diaspora, tradition, diversity, and togetherness.
Ibrahim Abu-Ali, aka DJ Habibeats, honed his skills behind the decks playing open-format at clubs around the Bay Area of California, where his innate ability to read the crowd quickly made him a club favorite. A lawyer by education, after passing the California Bar Exam, Ibrahim quickly realized his talent would go further from the DJ booth than in the court room or behind a desk. And his instincts were correct. DJ Habibeats quickly became a breakout success on social media with his series “Songs You Probably Didn’t Know Were Samples.” He amassed a massive 1.2 million followers on TikTok virtually overnight, and has played some of the biggest clubs and festivals in California, the U.S. and beyond. DJ Habibeats blends traditional sounds drawn directly from his own heritage and the high-powered urgency of today’s dance music to create an entirely new sound that music lovers didn’t know they were craving. DJ Habibeats latest live music endeavour is Habibi’s House a vibrant event series that celebrates traditions, sound and feelings from around the world. More than just a party series, Habibi’s House is a cultural tapestry of global sound, rooted in one purpose: bringing community together to dance. And dance they did at Stackt in Toronto.
With a string of live appearances under his belt, including his Coachella appearance and previous U.S. stops for Habibi’s House, fans had high hopes and even higher expectations for a DJ Habibeats performance, and he did not disappoint. Ibrahim Abu-Ali has and riding the momentum of his debut EP BENZEEN, the Palestinian-American DJ and producer delivered a set that reflected the same genre-blending ethos that has earned him a growing international following. From his glowing stage perch above the crowd, Habibeats showcased a sound that feels both rooted in heritage and firmly aimed at modern club culture.
Throughout the performance, familiar Arabic melodies, Levantine folk motifs, and percussion-heavy rhythms were woven into a seamless mix of house, Amapiano, bass music, and global club sounds. Tracks from BENZEEN translated particularly well to the live environment, with songs such as “DAL3OUNA!,” “WALLAH,” and “ZORI” providing moments of collective energy that resonated across the crowd. The producer’s ability to recontextualize traditional sounds without diluting their identity remains one of the defining strengths of his work.
What distinguished the event from a typical DJ set was its emphasis on community. Habibeats has long described Habibi’s House as more than a party series, and that philosophy was evident throughout the day and night. The atmosphere felt inclusive and celebratory, attracting a diverse audience united by a shared appreciation for music that crosses cultural and geographic boundaries. Rather than relying solely on high-impact drops or festival-style theatrics, the performance succeeded by creating a sense of connection between the music, the artist, and the audience.
STACKT Market’s outdoor setting proved well suited to Habibeats’ sound, allowing the music’s uplifting energy to unfold against the backdrop of a beautiful spring day and night. The vibes stayed hot long after the sun went down, with Habibeat’s signature blend of global rhythms and communal atmosphere helped create the kind of immersive experience that has become synonymous with the Habibi’s House brand.
As Habibeats continues to expand his international profile, performances like this demonstrate why his rise has resonated with audiences around the world. By placing cultural pride and appreciation at the centre of his music rather than treating it as a stylistic embellishment, he has carved out a distinctive space within contemporary dance music. His Toronto appearance offered both a celebration of community and a glimpse into a movement that continues to grow beyond traditional club boundaries.
For attendees at STACKT Market, the evening was less about witnessing a DJ performance and more about participating in a cultural exchange set to an irresistible soundtrack one that kept the dancefloor moving and hearts soaring, making memories that will last a lifetime.
*header photo by Hunter Ellenbarger
Nadia Elkharadly
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