I LOVE "Habibi." It's so bad ass. Does anyone know who's playing the drums on this track? I think it might be Michael B. but I'm not sure. Thanks!

john blackwell it was recorded during year 2000 and its the first erxample of prince using whammy bar since his guitar solo on 777-9311

thebanishedone said:

That was fast! Thanks so much. You know I hadn't thought about Prince's lack of whammy use until you posted this. Either way, John put it down on those drums. I love Prince's playing too, of course. It's just a raw jam.

actually its Kirky J.

it was done in 1999

RumAndRaisin said:

RumAndRaisin said:

Really? I would not have guessed Kirky J at all. I have to go back and listen closer. I was somewhere between Michael B. and John Blackwell. Kirky? Interesting.

If you guys don't mind me asking, on which album was 'Habibi' on? Or was it a B-side? unreleased? I'm middle eastern myself so you get the sudden interest lol

Side note: Habibi is "My love" in Arabic... but it's used for for males!
to a female you should say "habibati" or "habibti"... I hope Prince got that... I doubt it though

It is not released on an album. I believe Habibi was a download from the NPG music club. Habibi is the name of one of his guitars!

Ronald said:

Aha, I see... thanks for the info

no its not kirk,everybody who have ear can clearly hear its john blackwell on drums and prince didnt use whammy bar bfore year 2000(if you dont count 777-9311 and prinvate joy)
so it could't be recorded before 2000

thebanishedone said:

John joined the NPG in August 2000.

The song was being spoken about even in 1998

http://web.archive.org/we...future.htm

do u have ears,its definetly john blackwell.
drumming on habibi is ay too agressive and sofisticated to be kirk

thebanishedone said:

youd be surprised how good he was, when he didnt use that crappy electric kit he was amazing.

i think hes got a myspace, ill ask him if it was him or john

i bet my life its john

i know kirk johnsons drumming style.he is good in the pocket player but no way its him on habibi,its john blackwell

Lyrically, what is this song about?

LinnLM1 said:

He starts singing random bits from "Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix. U can hear him saying "Machine gun...tearing all my family apart" or something like that...

im sure it was done late 1999, also in late 98 he mentioned it on his site, saying that he needed permission from jimi's family

no u are wrong .
during 2000 celebration kirk was still on drums but john blackwell was already drafted for npg but he had to finish his previous obligations for another musician(which name escapes me at the moment)

habibi is the first recording featuring john blackwell and whammy bar.
so its definetly recorded in the year 2000

So did anyone settle this? Rum did you contact Kirk and ask if it was him? As I said, I was always torn between Michael and John, I just needed to know when it was recorded to make a decision. When Banished said it was John that honestly made sense to me. I have seen and heard Kirk to and the drumming does seem a bit advanced for him. Although I could be wrong.

bellanoche said:

it was recorded in 2000, but it was being played live as early as 1998

RumAndRaisin said:

- Please post his reply here. Now I am curious. I could swear it was John.

i dont need replay my ears are enough to be sure its john blackwell.
its his drumming style