R3HAB on Staying Present After the Dream Comes True [Q&A]

R3HAB spent more than 15 years chasing the life he imagined as a kid. Then he got it: hit records, festival stages, sold-out world tours and remixes for pop icons like Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. His third album starts with the question… what happens after the dream comes true?

Dream inside a dream… is the most personal record Fadil El Ghoul has made. Across the LP, he gets into the messier side of success: gratitude, identity, doubt and the pressure to keep moving forward, on and off the dance floor. He worked on the album in Thailand and Marrakesh, using his time in Morocco to reconnect with his roots. The music ties the electronic influences of his Dutch upbringing to rhythms and melodies shaped by his Moroccan heritage. Izzy Bizu, Rhodes and Orem lend their voices across its 12 tracks, while meditation guide Jason Stephenson opens and closes the record. R3HAB also picks up the microphone himself for the first time on the standout cut “Right here…”

In this Q&A, he discusses the essential gear behind the record, why finishing an album takes more discipline than inspiration, and how an old StarCraft handle became his artist name. Next up: music built for clubs and festivals. For now, he’s trying not to race past what he already has.

Hi Fadil, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. I trust all is well with you right now?

Yes, I’m really well, thanks! Summer has been great so far, and excited for my new album to drop.

Tell us about the album. What are you trying to personify through the tracks? Each track has quite a profound name, cinematic in a way? What is the general theme being echoed here?

Dreams are a beautiful part of life. They allow you to look toward the future, but it's also important not to forget the present. At the same time, when you dream about the past, don't live in it. Try to stay present.

What equipment has been used to create this project? Any special instruments or gear to tell us about?

I used Prophet, Oberheim and a lot of automation throughout the production process. Of course, there were also real singers and real musicians involved. No AI was used at all.

What objects, surroundings or others do you draw your inspiration from?

Travel played a huge role. I worked on this album while spending time in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Thailand, and those experiences inspired the project 100%.

This is your third studio album. Would you say you are on a generational run? What kind of mentality does it take to lay down a hit album and what does it take out of you?

This is my favorite album because it's the most personal one I've made. The creative part isn't necessarily easy, but it's definitely the most enjoyable. After that comes the organizational side – getting everything finished and coordinated which is a lot of work. You have to stay focused and disciplined.

Tell us about your heritage and how it has influenced your sound?

I was born in the Netherlands, and both of my parents are from Morocco. I think growing up in the Netherlands shaped my electronic music influences, while a lot of my rhythmic and melodic ideas come from my Moroccan heritage. It's a fusion of both.

What inspired the R3HAB moniker? Does it feel like a shield or a mask for when you are performing?
I've never really thought about it that way. I wouldn't call it a mask, but maybe it's more of an alter ego. R3HAB was actually my gaming name back when I used to play StarCraft.

After releasing your third album and previously reaching the DJ Mag Top 100, where do you look next? How far does the horizon stretch for R3HAB?
After this, I want to make a lot of music for clubs and festivals. That's the next chapter. I also want to enjoy the ride and not look too far into the future. I dream about performing in different places around the world—the United States, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, South Africa, and Central Africa. Those are the places I dream of playing while enjoying the journey along the way.

R3HAB's third studio album Dream inside a dream... is out now via Island Berlin.

Get it on Beatport.