Moktar مُخْتار is a DJ and producer effortlessly combining club and techno sounds with traditional Arabic instrumentation, sampling and producing to emphasise his Egyptian-Australian background.  

Signed to Steel City Dance Discs, the world-conquering label run by Newcastle’s favourite rave son Mall Grab, Moktar مُخْتار planted his flag in 2021 with his self-titled debut EP and breakout single ‘Silk’. This year’s five-track follow-up, Immigrant, features the arresting title track and the bleepy, hypnotic ‘North Africa’.  

“My inspiration behind ‘Silk’ has a lot to do with my struggles growing up in Australia navigating racism,” Moktar مُخْتار said on the release of his debut. “I was ashamed of being Egyptian and embarrassed by my culture…‘Silk’ represents how I feel today - the luxury of being comfortable and the ability to move around freely, both physically and spiritually.”  

With Moktar مُخْتار coming in hot from his debut tour of the UK and Europe, that’s a message we can dance behind – with support from Melbourne selectors Sophie McAlister and DJ Earl Grey.