Today we’d like to introduce you to Usama Douglah AKA HBB.
Hi Usama, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Iraq, then lived in Tanzania for quite some time. Upon finishing high school, I traveled to the United States in 2009 and enrolled at the University of Southern California to pursue a degree in civil engineering, which marked the beginning of my journey into the center of music. But it wasn’t until I experimented with a friend’s mixer in 2016 that I realized I had a natural knack for making catchy songs. I started experimenting with rhythms and sounds after being influenced by legendary musicians like Solomun, unintentionally setting the stage for an incredible musical journey.
I love establishing deep connections with people through my music and moving them on dance floors. That’s something that makes me feel very alive and present.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think one of the biggest struggles in this industry is finding your identity. Especially in a place like Los Angeles, it can get very overwhelming with the amount of music available to us. It is definitely a blessing, but at the same time can make it hard for upcoming DJs to figure out what their sound is and what they want to deliver to their audience. What I came to understand is that you don’t have to pick one sound or genre that represents who you are and that it is ok to have that diversity in your music.
One of the biggest challenges as well is making those connections that provide you a platform to share your music and play gigs. Going out to shows and networking is crucial to advancing your musical career.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I go by the artist name HBB, which is an abbreviation derived from the Arabic term “Habibi,” meaning “my love” or “my dear,” it is a true representation of a fusion of worldwide cultures, with roots in Iraq and a diversified upbringing spanning Africa and the United States. My emotionally charged and rhythmically dense music attracts listeners and provides them with a memorable aural experience.
My dynamic live performances are colorful experiments that skillfully combine organic, minimal/tech, and progressive sounds. I first concentrated on minimal and tech house, and now hoping to incorporate my Middle Eastern background into the organic house scene.
I am genuinely unique because of my capacity to establish a close bond with my audience and turn every performance into an interactive story. My presentations are elevated through collaborations with live musicians, such as violinists and drummers, who provide an unmatched and immersive experience for the audience. A noteworthy turning point in my career was the publication of four original tunes under different labels in 2023, which demonstrated my versatility and proficiency on a range of platforms.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The scene in LA is growing tremendously with waves of diversity flowing through. We are lucky to be in this melting pot because we get to see and learn from everyone that is helping shift the music scene here.
I am looking to start my own music label and collaborate with fellow artists and events such as Sauaro (Hicham Aboujaoude), KMNI (Kameni, Among Friends Records, Charbel Aboujaoude, Les Baklavas, Minimal Effort, Clinic Wednesdays and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.djhbb.com
- Instagram: @dj_hbb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dj_hbb
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj_hbb
Image Credits
Alexey One Love
Manny Castro
