The name Habibi means "my love,"[1] an Arabic word vocalist Rahill Jamalifard grew up using despite her Iranian origin (the term is not in use in Iran).

[2] In 2011, former Detroiters Lenaya Lynch and Rahill Jamalifard decided to form a band blending their love of psychedelic garage rock and girl group harmonies.

[3][4] They joined Erin Campbell and Karen Isabel, musicians from the Brooklyn rock and roll scene, who both went to LaGuardia School of the Arts.

Jamalifard influences are also related to her ancestry mentioning “Iran, gypsies, nomads, the inspiration of poets like Hafez .

my travels within the country.”[12] In 2012, Interview Magazine wrote "Influenced by grunge, punk, hip-hop, and Motown, Habibi's sound—and band members—meet somewhere in the middle.