Koyo Koyo / V​.​B​.​Kühl Remix
Rabii Harnoune & V.B. Kühl

Gnawa-fusion duo Rabii Harnoune & V.B.Kühl share new single ‘Koyo Koyo’ featuring a funky edit from V.B.Kühl himself.

“Koyo Koyo” is the new single from the majestic duo of Moroccan Gnawa-master (maâlem) Rabii Harnoune and Frankfurt electronic producer V.B.Kühl. The release also features a remix from V.B.Kühl himself, who flips the original into a hypnotic groove and aims it squarely at the dancefloor. It’s the latest single taken from Rabii Harnoune and V.B.Kühl’s sophomore album ‘GNAWA ELECTRIC LAUNE II’ a record that melds traditional North African Gnawa music with funky, soulful modern club sounds.

“Koyo Koyo” is a term for the right-hand man of the Gnawa master who learns to play the Qarqaba (also known as Krakebs, an iron castanet-like, rhythmic musical instrument). Talking about the story in Gnawa folklore, Rabii explains: ”The piece speaks about the moral, spiritual and social aspect of the Koyo, the human being, the humble artist, the dignified social, the beloved, disciplined, as a consideration and recognition of what the Koyo offers to the Gnawa way; where the light is often shed on the Master.”

V.B.Kühl adds “After showing Rabii the original beat I made, he was interested and played Koyo Koyo alongside it. I started to add synthesiser, bass, guitar and e-piano and the tune became bigger and bigger. The challenge was to shape parts, like it is in most Gnawa songs, because they´re not necessarily there in the original. Rabii was on fire and worked on the vocal arrangement. We made the final recordings and ultimately, I added some more backing vocals to complete the wide sound.”