UAE Authorizes Music Nation as Collective Management Organization in Boost for Music Rights Across MENA
In a landmark move for the Middle East's creative economy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has officially authorized Music Nation to operate as a Collective Management Organization (CMO) . This decision, announced on June 3, 2025 , marks a transformative shift in the UAE’s music rights landscape—one that promises new revenue streams for songwriters, composers, publishers, performers , and recording owners across the region. Music Nation Secures Government Approval to Collect and Distribute Royalties With formal approval from t…
TikTok for Artists Analytics Platform Officially Launches Globally, Including Key MENA Countries
TikTok , the leading short-form video platform, has officially launched its all-new TikTok for Artists analytics platform in over 25 countries—marking a major step in the platform’s global music strategy. Among the newly included regions are Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia , and the United Arab Emirates , giving artists across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) unprecedented access to data-driven music insights. What Is TikTok for Artists? TikTok for Artists is a dedicated analytics platform built to empower artists with in-dep…
Emirates Music Rights Launched to Simplify Royalty Collection and Champion Fair Pay for Creators
In a landmark move for the UAE’s creative economy, the Ministry of Economy (MoE) has launched Emirates Music Rights , the country's first licensed collective management organization dedicated to protecting the rights of musicians, producers, and composers. This initiative streamlines royalty collection and ensures that music creators receive fair compensation for their work. It reflects the UAE’s commitment to fostering a sustainable, innovation-driven creative sector and aligning with global standards in intellectual property protection.…
TikTok Soft-Launches 'TikTok for Artists' Platform to Elevate Music Careers
TikTok has introduced a new platform aimed at helping artists elevate their careers—"TikTok for Artists." Currently in its testing phase across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia, this new initiative provides musicians with powerful tools to maximize their presence on the platform. Empowering Artists with Insights and Engagement "TikTok for Artists" offers a suite of features designed to help musicians grow their fan base, promote their songs, and analyze their reach. Artists can create targeted campaigns f…
TikTok and Billboard Arabia Partner to Launch "TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50" Music Chart
Billboard Arabia and TikTok have officially unveiled their new collaboration, the “TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50” chart. Announced during TikTok’s annual TikTok Awards, which celebrates emerging regional talent and highlights their success on the platform over the past year, this new initiative puts Middle Eastern artists and their creative work at the forefront of the global music scene. In 2024, TikTok played a significant role in the viral success of various songs, showcasing the platform’s global influence on music. Some of the tracks th…
Music Cities Awards: A Grand Debut in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh
For the first time, Saudi Arabia hosted the prestigious Music Cities Awards in Riyadh, as part of the highly anticipated Riyadh Music Week. This global event celebrates impactful initiatives that leverage music as a tool to drive economic, social, environmental, and cultural development in cities worldwide. A Global Platform for Musical Innovation Launched in 2020, the Music Cities Awards have established themselves as a premier global platform to honor groundbreaking initiatives using music to enhance community development. This annual eve…
Billboard Arab Music Awards 2024: A Landmark Celebration of Arab Music
The countdown has begun for the Billboard Arab Music Awards 2024, an event poised to honor outstanding achievements in Arab music. Scheduled to take place on December 11, this inaugural awards ceremony will be a highlight of the first-ever Riyadh Music Week. The event celebrates Arab and North African artists whose works have achieved remarkable success on global streaming platforms. With over 30 categories, it promises to showcase the diversity and richness of the Arab music scene. The full list of finalists has been revealed. Song of the Y…
Emirates Integrates Spotify Content into Inflight Entertainment for Enhanced Passenger Experience
Emirates has announced a partnership with Spotify, enabling passengers to access curated playlists and podcasts directly through its inflight entertainment system, ice. Starting today, Emirates customers can select from a range of Spotify's curated music and podcasts as part of the airline's inflight offering. Ian Geller, Spotify's VP of Business Development, commented on the partnership: "At Spotify, we want to be everywhere our listeners are, so we’re thrilled to partner with Emirates to deliver best-in-class playlist and …
Music Loves Threads: A New Program for MENA Artists
Music Loves Threads is a newly announced initiative aimed at enhancing how music artists in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region connect with their audiences. The program is designed to extend audio-visual expression from popular platforms like Instagram and Facebook to Meta's latest social app, Threads, which focuses on deeper community engagement. While still in the early stages, Music Loves Threads encourages artists to use Threads for more meaningful interactions with their fans. By sharing behind-the-scenes content, exclusiv…
ESMAA Strikes Landmark Music Licensing Deal with Anghami
ESMAA, has reached a groundbreaking music licensing agreement with Anghami, the leading MENA-focused streaming platform. This partnership marks a significant moment for the region’s music industry, as it represents the first deal of its kind between international independent music publishers and a local streaming service in the MENA region. ESMAA represents the extensive catalog of MENA-based music publisher PopArabia, including a wealth of Arabic music and global sub-published repertoire. The organization also manages the rights of IMPEL, a c…
Billboard Arabia to Launch First Music Awards in Riyadh, Highlighting Arab Music's Growth
On September 10, 2024, Billboard Arabia announced the inaugural edition of its music awards, set to take place on December 11 at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh. This event, held during Riyadh Music Week, is part of a collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Music Commission. The awards aim to celebrate Arab musical achievements, using data from the Billboard platform to determine the winners, offering a fresh perspective on regional music success. A New Stage for Arab Talent The awards ceremony forms part of the Saudi Musi…
Rebuilding Dreams: The Bold Reinvention of OSN+ in the Middle East
A Symphony of Courage, Resilience, and Innovation from the Arab World In a landscape where the technology sector races against the clock, the story of OSN+’s dramatic transformation stands as a beacon of what is possible with sheer determination and ingenuity. Imagine reconstructing an entire video streaming platform in just 120 days. This isn’t a tale from Silicon Valley – it’s a narrative that unfolded in the heart of the Middle East. Rising to the Challenge "We undertake these tasks not because they are easy, but because they present a…
MDLBEAST Unveils New Music Publishing Division to Empower Creators Across MENA
In a significant move for the Middle Eastern music industry, Saudi Arabia-based entertainment powerhouse MDLBEAST has announced the launch of MDLBEAST Publishing. This new division is dedicated to nurturing and promoting songwriters, producers, and artists from Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Global Reach and Strategic Partnerships MDLBEAST Publishing is not only set to make waves locally but also aims to extend its influence globally through a strategic partnership with Sentric. This collaboration will…
Top Music Distribution Companies Leading the MENA Market
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with its diverse and vibrant musical heritage, has become a significant player in the global music industry. Several leading music distribution companies have established a strong presence in this region, contributing to its dynamic growth and cultural exchange. Here's a closer look at the top companies driving the music distribution landscape in the MENA market and their role in the emerging growth of digital music consumption. Warner Music Group (WMG): Warner Music Middle East Established: …
Social