"Habibi " is a song by Shaggy, Mohombi, Faydee and Costi. In a later specially released version targetingEnglish language markets, the song is retitled "I Need Your Love" crediting Shaggy as main performer featuring Mohombi, Faydee and Costi. The song was written by the Australian recording artist of Lebanese origin Faydee and Romanian recording artist Costi. The song is in Arabic, English and Spanish. "Habibi" means "my love" in Arabic language. Additionally a number of mixed language versions were released including Bulgarian, French and Russian.
Releases
The main release of the single "Habibi " has the vocal collaborations of the Jamaican reggae singer and deejay Shaggy, the Swedish singer of Congolese and Swedish origins Mohombi, as well as co-writers and performers the Australian-Lebanese singer Faydee and Romanian Costi Ioniță. The song was released in 2014 becoming very popular in night venues internationally. Prominent success has been in the Middle East and the Arab World, Australia, Continental Europe, particularly the Balkans, Eastern Europe. Various local versions also became popular in Russia and on the Asian continent. In 2015, it got even wider attention after charting on the US Billboard Hot 100 main chart peaking at number 66 with a version crediting Shaggy as main performer. The Shaggy-credited version also charted on other Billboard charts, notably the Mainstream Top 40, Dance/Mix Show Airplay and Rhythmic charts crediting Shaggy as main performer.
Music video
A music video was shot in Valencia, Spain with all four performers portrayed having fun at a public music venue, at a stadium, during a festival and on various tourist attractions in Spain and on a yacht in the sea. The video was produced by Romanian singer Costi through his record and video production company. Just like in the main release, there are two versions of the video one including Arabic as "Habibi " and one excluding Arabic for English language markets as "I Need Your Love".
"I Need Your Love"
A special release targeting the American, UK, Japanese and Australian markets excludes the Arabic language segments, as Faydee performs his own parts in English instead. This special version excludes the Arabic word "Habibi" in the title retitling it as "I NeedYour Love". The release is credited to Shaggy as main performer with the full credit as "Shaggy featuring Mohombi, Faydee, Costi". This version on RED Associated Labels, a division of Sony Music Entertainment charted in several countries including the Netherlands, United States and the United Kingdom. In mid-May 2015, "I Need Your Love" charted at number 66 on the US BillboardHot 100, becoming Shaggy's first top 100 hit since "Angel" in America.
Language versions
The song proved popular and many local versions were also produced through collaborations with well-known local artists, notably:
Bulgarian singer Galena as "Habibi" in a Bulgarian language version containing some mixes in Arabic by Faydee and in English and Spanish. The version was credited to "Galena featuring Faydee".
Uzbek singer Shahzoda in a Russian language version also with some additional verses in Arabic by Faydee, and in English and Spanish by Costi. This version was retitled "Habibi ". The version was credited to "Shahzoda featuring Faydee & Dr. Costi". A separate music video was shot for this version.
A multilingual version including French language verses was released for France and the francophone markets in Belgium and Switzerland under the title "Habibi Love ". The additional French verses are sung by Mohombi.
Spanish bilingual version alongside English was released as "I Need Your Love " and was credited to Shaggy featuring Mohombi, Faydee, Costi.
Later a pan-Latin remix version was released as "Te Quiero Mas" with additional lyrics sung by Don Omar and Farruko. The remix was credited to Shaggy featuring Don Omar, Farruko, Faydee, Mohombi & Costi and was produced by Costi.
Live performances
Faydee performed it live during the Media Music Awards in Romania broadcast on MTV Romania on 10 October 2014. The Bulgarian version was performed live by Galena, Faydee and Costi during a gala broadcast on the Bulgarian Planeta HD station. Faydee has also had a number of appearances in interviews on mainly Romanian television and radio stations performing live versions of the song.
