Rootune: "I’m influenced by the emotional depth of the culture"

Rootune is a DJ, producer, and electronic music artist based in Beirut, Lebanon. With a distinctive approach, he blends moods and atmospheres to create sets that take listeners on an emotional journey, going beyond simply mixing tracks. Influenced by the complex cultural and social landscape of Lebanon, his sound strikes a balance between intensity, authenticity, and emotional depth. Through collaborations with artists like YÖRD and Remario and performances in diverse settings, he has developed a musical vision that combines cultural identity with sonic innovation, always maintaining a genuine connection with his audience.

How do you choose tracks or sounds to create the right mood during a set, when you say you "mix moods, not just tracks"?

When I say I mix moods, not just tracks, I mean that I’m always thinking beyond BPM and key. I focus on the emotional journey of the crowd. Before selecting a track, I read the room, energy levels, body language, how people are reacting and choose sounds that either reinforce that feeling or gently guide it where it needs to go. Sometimes that means stripping things back with a deeper, more minimal track to create tension, other times it’s about introducing warmth, vocals, or groove to lift the atmosphere. I pay close attention to texture, rhythm, and emotion, so every transition feels intentional. The goal is to create a flow where each track feels like a natural continuation of the mood, not just the next song in line.

You’ve collaborated and performed with artists like YÖRD and Remario at events in Beirut. How do these collaborations influence your creative process and musical vision?

Collaborating and performing with artists like YÖRD and Remario has had a big influence on how I approach music. Each of them brings a distinct identity and energy, and working together pushes me to step outside my comfort zone. Those experiences taught me the importance of adaptability understanding different artistic visions while still staying true to my own sound. Performing together in Beirut, with its diverse and emotionally responsive crowd, sharpened my awareness of how music connects culturally and atmospherically. It reinforced my belief that collaboration isn’t about compromise, but about evolution. Every shared stage and creative exchange adds a new layer to my musical vision and helps me grow as an artist.

Looking at your performances in Beirut and other venues in Lebanon, what are the main differences between playing for local and international audiences, and how do you adapt?

Most of my experience has been within Beirut and different venues across Lebanon, and that’s been incredibly formative for me as an artist. Each crowd has its own personality depending on the space, the night, and the people in front of you. Some audiences are very high-energy and expressive, while others are more introspective and locked into the groove. I adapt by staying present and responsive reading body language, pacing the set differently, and adjusting the emotional intensity in real time. Even without playing internationally yet, these diverse local experiences have trained me to be flexible and intuitive, which I believe is essential for connecting with any audience, anywhere.

Your music reflects both your cultural background and the energy of the Lebanese electronic scene. How does your city or country influence your style as a producer?

My city and country shape my sound in a very organic way. Growing up and creating music in Lebanon means being surrounded by contrasts of beauty and chaos, tradition and modernity, intensity and resilience. That tension naturally finds its way into my productions. I’m influenced by the emotional depth of the culture, the way people here express feelings without restraint, and the raw energy of the local electronic scene. Beirut especially has taught me to be honest in my sound, no over-polishing, no unnecessary layers, just emotion, groove, and atmosphere. Producing in this environment pushes me to create music that carries feeling and identity, not just function. It’s less about fitting into a genre and more about translating where I come from into sound.

You say "Let the beat talk" — what elements (instruments, production techniques, inspirations) do you consider essential to really make a beat speak in your music?

When I say “let the beat talk,” I’m really talking about restraint and intention. For me, rhythm is the main voice. I focus on drums that have character grooves that breathe, subtle swing, and space between hits so the beat can feel alive. I’m very selective with sounds; every element has to earn its place. I use texture and atmosphere to support the rhythm rather than compete with it, often keeping melodies minimal or even implied. Production wise, I pay close attention to dynamics, saturation, and silence. Sometimes what you don’t add is just as important as what you do. My inspirations come from both the rawness of underground electronic music and the emotional depth of the environment I come from. When everything is balanced, the beat doesn’t just drive the track, it communicates feelings without needing words.

Follow Rootune

Instagram