Who are the top contenders for the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards?
This year’s awards will honor over 40 categories, with 210 nominations and 96 competing artists
Prepare for a spectacular performance featuring music icons including Elissa, Dystinct, Ahmad Saad, Ayed, and Tul8te, among other popular performers
The highly anticipated first-ever Billboard Arabia Music Awards is set to make history in Riyadh on 11 December 2024, at the King Fahad Cultural Centre, as part of the debut Riyadh Music Week. The historic event will feature musical performances by some of the most prominent artists in the region and the world, including Elissa, Dystinct, Ahmed Saad, Ayed, and Tul8te, among others. This event celebrates both established and emerging regional talents, as well as their songs that have gained wide popularity on the trusted Billboard Arabia charts, including the “100 Artists” and “Hot 100” charts, and genre-specific and dialect-specific charts.
The Billboard Arabia Music Awards represents a regional first, adopting a pioneering approach entirely based on listener opinions and data derived from digital streaming platforms such as Spotify, Anghami, and YouTube. This ensures credibility and reflects the tastes and preferences of music enthusiasts, while simultaneously highlighting the region’s flourishing music scene and bringing it to life on a global scale.
This year’s awards will honor over 40 categories, celebrating achievements such as Top Artist, Song of the Year, Best in Dialect Charts, and Top New Artist of the Year, among other standout recognitions. With 210 nominations and 96 artists covering top songs, artists, composers, songwriters, and producers, Al Shami leads the nomination count with 14 nominations, while other prominent stars like Assala Nasri, Ahmad Saad, Tamer Ashour, alongside Elissa, Dystinct, Ayed, and Tul8te, are also nominated. The nominees will showcase the growing diversity of Arabic music, sound, and tastes, with a fusion of acts featuring global beats and Arabic lyrics.
Billboard Arabia and the inaugral Billboard Arabia Music Awards is a result of a partnership between SRMG and Billboard. With Saudi Arabia’s live events market projected to surpass $1 billion by 2025 and streaming platforms in the region experiencing annual growth rates of 10-15%, Billboard Arabia is poised to shape the regional and global music scene, driving economic growth and fostering creative expression. Through the dynamic partnership Billboard Arabia leverages cutting-edge technology and data to empower artists, nurture local talent, and produce content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Mike Van, President of Billboard, expressed pride in the strategic partnership with SRMG. He said: “The Billboard Music Awards is globally recognized as the pinnacle of musical achievement, celebrating artists for their chart success and industry impact. We are excited to bring this legacy and vision to the MENA region, shining a spotlight on the incredible talent and musical excellence of local artists. This collaboration provides them with a unique platform to amplify their presence on a global stage.” Van further noted: “Winning a Billboard Arabia Music Award is a significant milestone in an artist’s career, one that can significantly accelerate their journey and open new doors for success.”
Rami Zeidan, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia, described the event as historic, stating:
“Shaping new cultural trends in music has always been a fundamental part of Billboard’s pioneering philosophy.” He highlighted that “the Billboard Arabia charts reflect our steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation of musical talent and celebrating the music that deeply influences listeners’ tastes and shapes the evolving music landscape.” Rami further stated that “the music industry in the MENA region is experiencing unprecedented growth and rapid expansion, making it a focal point for global music platforms.”
The exclusive partners for the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards include The Saudi Music Commission as Strategic Partners, King Fahad Cultural Centre as Venue Partner, alongside renowned brands including Beauty Partner Maybelline, Automotive Partner Genesis, Social Media Partner TikTok, and Luxury Partner AMEX.
About SRMG: SRMG has been transforming the MENA industry since 1972 and is the region’s largest integrated media group with over 30 leading titles. Across TV, digital, print and film, SRMG delivers top tier content in seven languages across four continents. With an ever-evolving consumer landscape, SRMG has launched seven business verticals. SRMG has enhanced its portfolio by developing significant partnerships with major international media brands such as Bloomberg Media, Warner Bros. Discovery, The Independent, Billboard, Penske Media Corporation and Shueisha. Through its network, SRMG brings the very best global content, high-quality production expertise, and premium entertainment to local audiences.
About Billboard
Billboard is the ultimate barometer of success in music. Through itsiconic charts, breaking news, thought leadership, multi-platform storytelling and world class events, Billboard tracks the world’s top musicians and the business that powers them. Since its origin in 1894, music leaders and fans across the world look to Billboard as the most trusted source for music information, spanning 15 countries and published in 10 languages. The prestigious Billboard Music Awards are the only premium awards ceremony that recognize musicians for their undeniable achievements on the Billboard charts, using pure data to determine the winners, rather than relying on opaque committees or undisclosed voters to select the honorees giving fans maximum impact at each year’s ceremony, as Billboard’s chart data measures fans’ engagement with their favorite music. Billboard’s other premium experiences range from the Billboard Power 100 to Billboard Women in Music, Billboard Latin Music Week, and Billboard Live, which connects the most impactful artists and industry leaders with fans from all cultures and corners of the globe.
About Billboard Arabia
Billboard Arabia, a pioneering platform at the intersection of culture and music, takes center stage as it celebrates the extraordinary artistry and diversity of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Launched as a partnership between SRMG, the largest integrated media group from the MENA region, and Billboard, the world’s most influential music media brand, its mission is to redefine the global music landscape. Billboard Arabia is a testament to the collaboration of expertise and resources, driven by a commitment to provide a platform that spotlights and empowers Arabic artists on the global stage.
Billboard Arabia has introduced several iconic Billboard franchises to the MENA market, including Charts, Women in Music, and much more. Beyond its flagship Charts, Billboard Arabia is the ultimate destination for audiences to engage with Arabic music, bringing the latest releases, insightful reviews and exclusive interviews, special coverage of events, original photography and video content in one centralized location.
