Amr Diab is Back! Exploring His New Sony Music Deal and Return to Streaming
After nearly three years, the legendary Egyptian pop star is set to make a grand return to major music streaming platforms, with all his albums and beloved music videos soon available once more on YouTube and other platforms. This much-anticipated comeback follows a period of absence beginning in early 2022, when Diab signed an exclusive deal with Anghami. As a result, albums released under his label, Nay, were removed from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube—a decision that disappointed many fans. However, it seems the wait is …
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…
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: …
Spotify Celebrates Khaleeji Pop with Sultan Al-Murshed and Aseel Hameem in Times Square
Spotify is celebrating the rich tapestry of Arabic music by highlighting Saudi artist Sultan Al-Murshed and Iraqi artist Aseel Hameem as the featured artists for its RADAR Arabia and EQUAL Arabia programs in May. Both artists are being showcased on a prominent billboard in New York City’s Times Square. Nada Elmeri, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for the Gulf Region at Spotify MENA, emphasized the platform's dedication to Arabic music. “We are committed to showcasing and celebrating genres and creators that reflect the dive…
TikTok Embraces Content Credentials for AI-Generated Content Amid Evolving Relationship with UMG
In a rapid turnaround, TikTok and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMG) have shifted from contention to cooperation regarding AI-generated content (AIGC). Just two months ago, UMG voiced serious concerns about TikTok's handling of AIGC. Now, TikTok is taking significant steps to enhance transparency around such content. TikTok Adopts Content Credentials to Label AI-Generated Content TikTok has begun using "Content Credentials," a cutting-edge technology from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), to automa…
Apple Music Unveils Premium Data Analytics Toolkit for Record Labels and Distributors
Apple Music is introducing a new ‘premium’ data analytics toolkit aimed at record labels and music distributors. This toolkit, known as the Apple Music Partner Program, offers a variety of tools to help partners track trends and global radio plays, utilizing Shazam technology. The platform aims to provide advanced analytics to its partners, enabling them to break new talent and uncover insights about their content. This new program builds upon Apple Music’s existing analytics platform, Apple Music For Artists, which launched in 2019 and allows…
Elissa's Legal Battle with Watari Over YouTube Channel Sparks Outcry and Support on Social Media
Lebanese pop star Elissa is embroiled in a legal dispute over the control of her YouTube channel, a situation that has sparked a wave of support for her on social media platform X. The ongoing campaign, marked by the hashtag #Elissa_Right, has garnered attention from her large fan base as well as other celebrities in the industry. Elissa took to her social media account to express her frustration and challenges in reclaiming her YouTube channel from a company she alleges wrongfully took control. The artist questioned the state of justice in Le…
Universal Music Group and TikTok Forge New Licensing Deal to Support Artists and Songwriters
Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok have struck a new licensing agreement, marking a fresh chapter of strategic collaboration. This multi-faceted partnership aims to provide substantial benefits to UMG’s global network of artists, songwriters, and labels, while also ensuring their music is accessible to TikTok’s vast user base. The agreement follows a three-month public dispute that led UMG and UMPG to pull their music from TikTok. With the new deal in place, UMG's recorded music and publishing catalogs will return to the platform, allo…
Sanfara Signs with Warner Music Middle East and Unveils Third Album 'La Source'
Tunisian rapper Sanfara has taken a significant step forward in his career by signing a contract with Warner Music Middle East. This new partnership marks an exciting new chapter for the artist, who has previously worked with Chabaka Music since 2016. Sanfara's time with Chabaka Music yielded numerous successes, but recent challenges led him to pursue a fresh path with Warner Music Middle East. Sanfara's latest venture was announced at a press conference where he introduced his third album, 'La Source.' The album, which pays ho…
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