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 that gained widespread attention included Haifa Wehbe’s Woseltelha, Eisa Abdullah’s Kit Kati, Khalid Asiri’s Ybghalha Floos, Lbenj’s Hwasi, and Lazaro’s Mahboul Ana, the latter of which earned him the title of TikTok’s top music artist at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.

The launch of the TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 chart is a strategic move by Billboard Arabia to enhance its music rankings and overall listening experience. This chart monitors the number of videos featuring popular artists' songs and highlights the level of engagement these artists receive on TikTok.

The “TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50” chart is part of the larger global Billboard initiative, “Top 50 Songs on TikTok,” which features similar charts in various global markets. As the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, this chart is a groundbreaking step in reflecting the diverse tastes of the region’s listeners, showcasing the powerful impact of TikTok in shaping today’s music industry.

Updated weekly, the chart celebrates the region’s most influential tracks, highlighting emerging talents and popular songs that have sparked engagement and video creation across TikTok. It features 50 songs, offering a mix of established hits and up-and-coming tracks, with a strong focus on Arabic music that resonates with local audiences.

Rami M. Zeidan, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia, commented on the chart's launch, stating, "The TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 chart represents a significant partnership that solidifies our role as a leading music authority in the region." He pointed out that TikTok has evolved from a social media platform into a global trendsetter in music, providing a unique opportunity for Arab artists to expand their reach and engage with a wider, more diverse audience.

Kinda Ibrahim, Regional General Manager of Operations at TikTok for MENA, South Asia, Turkey, and Africa, expressed excitement about the collaboration: "Music in the MENA region has always mirrored the soul of the area, and with this new chart, we’re taking it to new heights. This partnership between TikTok and Billboard Arabia underscores our shared vision to transform the MENA music scene, offering emerging artists unparalleled exposure and creating a level playing field for them to compete."

The “TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50” chart is designed to shine a spotlight on rising stars alongside established names, offering a platform for regional talent to gain global recognition. Georges ‘Josh’ Rouhana, Music Partnerships Lead for TikTok in MENA, emphasized, "TikTok serves as a gateway for emerging artists to reach the Billboard Arabia charts, providing them with unmatched exposure and the chance to compete on equal footing."

The inaugural chart revealed the top five songs: Ana Mosh Daylar Ya Hukouma by Islam Kabonga, named Artist of the Year at the 2024 Billboard Arabia Music Awards; Wesh Baqa Feni by Ibraheem Al Sultan; Yalli Ahbak Mot by Majid Al Muhandis; La Tithakirouni Bi Habibi by Noor Al Zain; and Betrjain by Rashed Al Majed. This chart marks a new era in the music industry, where regional talent is celebrated and shared with a global audience.