Hammali & Navai was formed in school by lifelong friends Alexander Aliev and Navai Bakarov, whose shared interest in melodic pop, post-Soviet Azerbaijan traditional music and Russian rap soon led to breakthrough success. Though Arabic instruments are prominent in their catchy hits, they also take inspiration from dancehall, littering tracks with shuffling breakbeats and steel percussion that complement their dexterous flows. Their songs are rarely dense or overbearing, more interested in power pop choruses and emotional climaxes.