"Habibi I Love You" is a 2013 song by Ahmed Chawki featuring rapper Pitbull. The original song was bilingual in Arabic performed by Chawki in Arab dialect and rap section in English performed by Pitbull. The single was produced by RedOne. The music video was filmed in Miami, Florida. The song was also interpreted in additional languages like French, Spanish, and Dutch. It charted in France and the Netherlands.
Music Video
Filmed in Miami, Florida, music video shows Chawki performing his song on the beach and sometimes he is accompanied by Pitbull. In a concurrent storyline, Chawki is pursuing an unknown love interest, trying to attract her attention by appearing in various quick cloth changes, but despite his best efforts, she continues to ignore him. But eventually, the two meet in the backdrop of a sea resort where they are both residing. The last scene shows she is finally in his arms and both of them join Pitbull in the final refrain of the song. Non-Arabic Music Videos marks the additional appearance of other singers in their respective languages alongside Pitbull.
The song became a hit in France and other French-speaking markets after a trilingual Arabic/French/English version was launched with additional lyrics by John Mamann sung by Chawki and French-Algerian singer Kenza Farah. Titled "Habibi I Love You (Mon amour, I Love You" it was credited to Ahmed Chawki featuring Kenza Farah & Pitbull. The music video was re-edited with additional footage of Kenza Farah. The song was presented live during "Fête de la Musique à Marseille 2013" and was presented on various French television stations.
With the song already big in Greece and Cyprus, a Greek version was released in January 2014 featuring Pitbull and Greek singerFani Drakopoulou "Habibi I Love You" and subtitled "Χαλάλι Σ'αγαπώ". Chawki's main renditions in this version are in Spanish whereas Drakopoulou sings in Greek.
Spanish version
Simultaneously, a Hispanic version was released with additional lyrics in Spanish composed by Armando Perez. The track was recorded with additional vocals by Sophia del Carmen. The Hispanic version was released by Warner Music Spain and was credited to Ahmed Chawki featuring Sophia del Carmen & Pitbull. Both Ahmed Chawki and Sophia del Carmen sing the Spanish verses. The Miami, Florida music video was re-edited, adding footage by del Carmen.
Dutch version
On 22 November 2013, a Dutch version was released which is a quadrilingual release in Arabic/Spanish/Dutch/English with the participation of the Dutch singer Do who sings parts in Dutch whereas Ahmed Chawki sings most of the lyrics in Spanish. It was released on Sony Music with the single appearing at number 10 in its first week of release on the official Dutch Single Top 100 charts, and climbed to number 5. A separate new music video was released rather than a re-edit of the existing music video.
Versions by other artists
Romanian artists Nek and Blondu de la Timişoara have released a track title "Habibi", a remake of the song with an all-Romanian lyrics and new musical arrangement. The duo released a music video to accompany the sing. This non-official version gained popularity long before the official Romanian version featuring Mandinga.
Charts
Ahmed Chawki featuring Pitbull
Peak
Highest position
Chawki featuring Pitbull & Do
Peak
Highest position
Did not chart in main Dutch 40 chart, but was #2 on the "bubbling under" Tipparade chart
