Idriss D’s album “BLED FL FEN” is a testament to the power of art and the human spirit. Rooted in a profound desire to uplift undiscovered talents, each track resonates with a commitment to providing a platform for those whose voices remain unheard. With every note and lyric, the album embodies a journey of empowerment and solidarity with aspiring artists worldwide. Through its evocative melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Idriss D’s work not only showcases his own artistry but also serves as a beacon of hope for the countless individuals yearning to share their gifts with the world.
KALTBLUT: Why have you decided to start your own label? And what differentiates your label?
Idriss D: So NEDJMA is actually my third label, the freedom to release music is something you can only achieve when you run your own label. The music on NEDJMA is very different to anything else in the electronic music scene now, as it is designed for Arabic music, and Arabic artists – giving a voice to those who do not have a way to release their music to the wider world. I feel this is incredibly important to help create awareness for these artists and the different cultures around the world. The music on NEDJMA wouldn’t fit many, if any labels, so to create something new was essential.
KALTBLUT. The album is split between club and ambient tracks. What inspired each track, and how do they work together on the album?
Idriss D: Yes, that’s right, I wanted to keep the vinyls separate between electronica and the more acoustic tracks from artists including Zineddine and Chazil, to the more dancefloor and club focused. As a vinyl DJ I like to keep tracks separated by genre for when I am playing.
All the tracks are inspired by Arabic culture, with an Algerian stamp from my own heritage. The tracks have a wide range of different styles from my home country. The inspiration for the whole album comes from the desire and need to help those undiscovered artists with no way to express their talent on a wider scale. Many of the tracks are still connected by some elements like their synths, drums and effects, and the artists I collaborated with on 4 of the tracks are people that I have been listening to for a long time and have a huge amount of respect for what they do.
The inspiration for the whole album comes from the desire and need to help those undiscovered artists with no way to express their talent on a wider scale.
KALTBLUT: You’re aiming to create awareness for Arabic culture. How are you planning on doing that? What kind of progress/ responses are you seeing? And what do people get wrong most in your opinion?
Idriss D: It’s not easy, as some tracks might not suit some of the gigs that I play or sets that I have planned. Saying that, I have already been introducing some Arabic music into my sets in the last few years, slowly here and there. It wasn’t so much a strategy, but more spontaneous, as it’s music that I have such a connection to and feel deeply passionate about.
I just want to share this with others, and honestly, I have had a lot of good feedback so far. People know me as an eclectic producer and DJ, and always ready to deliver surprises. I hope that this album and the creation of NEDJMA will open the door to more Arabic artists to approach us with their music, so we can continue to discover and help more talent for years to come. So many genres and cultures are supported these days, but I feel that this was a grey area, which I want to bring to the forefront in whatever way we can possible.
Of course, some shops and platforms are into the music, but they focus on a very specific sound, and we just don’t work, that’s to be expected, but overall, I’m really happy with how it’s been received so far.
Follow @idrissdoff on Instagram to keep up with his upcoming projects.
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Cover photo by @iliegeorgeandrei
