Tag: Middle East

Akshat Harbola, Spotify’s MENA Managing Director, on the Creative Vibrancy of the Region

November 14, 2023

Akshat Harbola, Spotify’s Managing Director of Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and South Asia is a massive rock music fan. Egyptian indie-rock band Cairokee, Abdul Hannan from Pakistan, and Jadal from Jordan top his playlists—showcasing a captivating blend of talents from the markets he oversees. The Middle East and North Africa is a vast, rapidly changing region that is categorized in particular by its young demographics, increasing digital landscape, and fast-growing music market. And all that was set to hyperspeed when Spotify first entered the region five years ago. 

Akshat Harbola

“At the heart of MENA’s digital landscape is its youthful, tech-savvy demographic, who hold a profound appreciation for both global and local content,” Akshat told For the Record. “Platforms like Spotify act as catalysts for this cultural exchange, enabling users to discover and share new music genres and podcasts. Countries like Egypt, Saudi, UAE, Morocco, Iraq, and Algeria are at the forefront of content sharing on Spotify, showcasing a community-driven digital culture.”

In honor of Spotify’s five-year anniversary in the region, For the Record chatted with Akshat about his auditory observations. 

What are some notable similarities and differences around music listening across MENA? 

The musical preferences across the region are as diverse as they are interconnected, especially when venturing beyond local genres. While Khaleeji music finds a strong foothold in Saudi, Egyptian pop, local indie, and local rap are favored in Egypt. This local appreciation also meets a growing affinity for global genres like K-Pop, U.S. rap, and Afrobeats, painting an eclectic musical canvas.

Having high rates of internet penetration have been pivotal in catalyzing this engagement. Saudi Arabia is at 99% and Egypt is nearing 80%. Consumers’ preference for mobile Spotify streaming really illustrates this digital savvy and hyper-connected MENA demographic. The popularity of streaming Spotify on gaming consoles in Saudi Arabia, a market where 80-90% of the population identifies as gamers, also indicates the hyper digital culture in the region.

MENA’s music market is on an upward trajectory, with IFPI statistics spotlighting it as the world’s fastest-growing music market in 2021, and ranking third in 2022, with 23.8% year-on-year growth. Streaming dominates the market, holding a 95.5% share, the highest globally. 

The region’s incredible music and artists are streamed in huge numbers abroad. What does this tell you about MENA’s global impact? 

On Spotify, music genres from MENA have grown by over 170% between 2019 and 2022. Some of the most exported genres we are seeing include Egyptian pop from Egypt, Amazigh from Morocco, and Khaleeji from Saudi Arabia, thus reflecting the rich diversity of the sounds emanating from the region. The rising international streaming of MENA music reflects the region’s creative vibrancy and the evolving tastes of today’s young Arab listeners. 

There’s also been a surge of new creators and a rising popularity of local hip-hop and indie music, driven largely by Gen-Z listeners and young artists. They blend local and global sounds, moving towards a more fluid musical narrative that doesn’t box them into a singular identity. This shift towards experimentation in musical expression is gaining traction in the wider music scene, with increased cross-border collaborations among artists. More artists are embracing multilingualism in their music, and diaspora artists like Saint Levant and Elyanna are reconnecting with their home cultures. Artists like Issam Al Najjar and kouz1 are also finding audiences beyond MENA, with tracks like “Hadal Ahbek” resonating in Indonesia and kouz1 gaining fans in the Netherlands. 

The growing global interest in MENA music, as seen by the nearly 40% yearly increase in MENA artists streaming outside the region from 2019 to 2023 on Spotify, signals a promising outlook for the Arabic music scene on the global stage.

What streaming trends are you noticing? 

We are really pleased with the evolution of local consumption that has been taking place on Spotify. Earlier this year, we welcomed Saudi Arabia’s music production label Rotana with its full catalog on our platform, encompassing over 10,000 songs by a variety of over 100 legendary Arab artists from across the region. With that, we are seeing more Khaleej music being consumed in Saudi. And when we look at our Spotify Charts and our annual Wrapped results in markets like Egypt and Morocco, we see predominantly local songs and artists being streamed the most. 

How about podcasting? 

Podcasting in MENA is witnessing an exciting momentum, with a notable surge of 223% in average daily podcast listening hours from November 1, 2021 to September 10, 2023. A particular highlight is the popularity of long-form interviews in Saudi Arabia. According to a recent YouGov study, MENA markets boast the highest percentage of heavy podcast listeners, with Saudi Arabia leading, as an impressive 67% of adults tune into podcasts for an hour or more weekly.

This burgeoning interest is further fueled by the creativity of independent creators, who bring unique shows like the Karohat comedy podcast in Egypt and Al Salfa in Saudi. Additionally, mainstream media entities like The National and CNN Business Arabic are embracing this trend by incorporating podcasts into their content strategies, thereby expanding the podcasting realm.

The podcast genres resonating most with listeners include society and culture, comedy, and mental health and self improvement, as seen in popular shows Kanbet El Sabit in Saudi and Eshtrey Menny in Egypt. The diversity in content is exemplified by top shows like Finjan with Abdul Rahman Abu Maleh, Jinaya, #ABtalks, and Droos Podcast, each offering a unique narrative, contributing to a rich and evolving podcast culture in the region.

Looking forward, what are some of the continued opportunities for creators? 

It’s exciting. Our RADAR and EQUAL Arabia programs are close to our hearts, and the impact they’re having is pretty incredible. Artists in these programs are not just seeing their streams skyrocket—which is awesome—but they’re also getting some amazing opportunities that go way beyond our platform. Our Saudi EQUAL Arabia Ambassador, Zena Emad, has recently collaborated with Alan Walker on a new version of his single “Land Of The Heroes,” featuring Sophie Stray. Having Zena on the record was like a nod to Saudi’s influential gaming culture and a celebration of the Arabic music scene. Another movement we are particularly excited about is the growing scene of women artists in indie music, and we are excited to see this continue to grow into 2024.

Catch the biggest hits from the Arab world on Yalla.

Get To Know Dxrk ダーク, the Phonk Artist Taking Electronic Music by Storm

February 14, 2023

If there’s any artist who can say they had a big year, it’s Dxrk ダーク. Starting 2022 as an unknown entity, the Algerian phonk producer ended the year as the most-streamed artist from the Middle East and North Africa globally. 

Last year alone, his tracks were streamed more than 232 million times by more than 19 million listeners in 182 countries, with the U.S., Mexico, and Germany representing his top markets. In total, fans streamed nearly 9 million hours of Dxrk ダーク’s music in 2022.

With fans from nearly every corner of the world flocking to his sound, Dxrk ダーク saw his monthly streams increase by 1,200% last year, and 43,000% since he released his first track, in July 2021. He’s appeared on the viral charts in 93 different nations, reaching number one in 26 of those countries and number three on the Viral 50 – Global chart. 

Dxrk ダーク’s sharp rise to fame began with the release of his hit “RAVE,” which was featured on playlists like phonk, Top Gaming Tracks, Ultra Gaming, and Hits de Internet. Since that breakout moment, “RAVE” has eclipsed 200 million streams, and Dxrk ダーク was even tapped by global pop star Sam Smith for a remix.

For the Record had the opportunity to chat with Dxrk ダーク recently, and we took the time to find out more about his inspirations, his life as a newly minted star, and what fans can expect in 2023.

What makes phonk unique compared to other genres?

Phonk is more than a genre to me. It’s a movement encompassing many different genres. Many people look at it as aggressive house music, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Because it’s more tied to the use of cowbells and Memphis rap-inspired vocals, you can utilize all types of dance music. It doesn’t just have to have a house sound. It just has to be raw and emotional.

What was it about phonk that inspired you to embrace the genre when it comes to your own music?

I discovered phonk in early 2017 and it wasn’t the way it is now. There’s such a grim and dark atmosphere while listening to it. My first thought was, “How can you make this dancy?”

2022 was a massive year for you in terms of new fans all over the world discovering your music. What does it feel like to have this global fan base? Were you expecting to reach this level of stardom?

It’s surreal. I never could have imagined a moment like this. But it also comes with a lot of pressure. I have a lot of people depending on me now. Every step matters.

Are there any Spotify tools you like to use to learn more about listeners? Has there been any information that’s surprised you?

Spotify for Artists is my holy grail. I choose it over any other analytic device. I watch the Audience Engagement tab religiously. It blows my mind to see how many people have added me to their personal playlists and just how big that space is in general.

Was there a specific moment where you felt like you “made it”?

There are two specific moments that come to mind. When “RAVE” hit the Global Viral 50, that’s when I first knew my life was forever changed.

But I think it became very real when Sam Smith’s team reached out to me to remix “Unholy,” which features Kim Petras and was one of the biggest hits on the planet last year.

Did you do anything or buy anything special to celebrate your successes this year?

I bought a couple of cars. A SEAT Cupra and a VW Golf 7.

Are there any artists you’re inspired by? Are there any artists you’d like to work with?

My main inspiration is Daft Punk and I wish they were still active. They’re my dream collaboration.

What can fans expect from you in 2023?

I have more major remixes planned, but I also owe my fans an album. It’s way overdue. Very excited to show them what I’ve been working on. 

Take a deeper dive into the ominous phonk sounds of Dxrk ダーク with his playlist This Is Dxrk ダーク.

 

Get To Know the Sounds of Ramadan Around the World

April 13, 2022

Ramadan is a month dedicated to spiritual rejuvenation, tranquility, and contemplation by those celebrating across the globe. Many Muslims come together with their families and communities for suhoor, the predawn meal, iftar, the post-sunset meal, and everything in between. For some, audio also plays a large role in setting the tone of the holiday. 

And just as Holy Month traditions play out differently in communities around the world, so does the audio people listen to for reflection or celebration. In the Arab world, observers will mostly play traditional instrumental nasheeds; Turkish celebrants may stream tracks from their favorite Ramadan television series; and in Indonesia, the top tracks played during Ramadan have a pop feel—all while guiding listeners to self-reflection.

Some tracks are universal—Lebanese Swedish R&B singer Maher Zain’s song “Ramadan – English version” is one of the most popular during Ramadan, with listeners tuning in from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Australia, Canada, Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. last year. Depending on where you’re listening from, you can find plenty of options throughout the month on Spotify’s Ramadan destination. 

For the Record asked five of our music editors celebrating Ramadan around the world to share some of the themed playlists they curated during the Holy Month and what makes the playlists unique to their communities. 

Middle East and North Africa

Curation: Ramadan Series مسلسلات رمضان and Ramadan Spirit by Alaa Ismail and Naoufal El Amrani

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? 

The Holy Month is a rich and diverse experience. People across the Arab world are very disciplined in fasting and praying in Ramadan; they decorate their homes with Ramadan lanterns and organize iftar banquets for families. Arabs tend to listen to spiritual hymns (nasheeds), especially during fasting times. After iftar, family and friends gather to watch their favorite Ramadan series, and therefore Ramadan series songs have a distinctive mark during the Holy Month. Ramadan Spirit and Ramadan Series playlists are inspired by the culture, customs, and traditions of the region. 

What are some consistent themes behind the songs or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

Ramadan is very special and has its own charm; it is like a guest who comes to the house once a year and is welcomed with pleasure. Reflecting the spirit of the month in our Ramadan playlists with relaxing, spiritual, and instrumental tunes is key to our curation process. 

Pakistan

Curation: South Asian Sufi by Rutaba Yaqub

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? 

Pakistan is a family- and community-oriented nation. And in the month of Ramadan that feeling of togetherness grows even stronger. Families spend more time together for suhoor, iftar, and in between. Pakistanis love to host big iftar feasts for their families as well as for the needy. Thousands of people are fed on the streets with langar (a communal free kitchen). 

How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

Because of the busy nature of Ramadan and Pakistan being a majority Muslim nation, the consumption of music, specially in the first 10 days of Ramadan, drops significantly. Most of the consumption happens before suhoor. After the 10 days, audiences ease into consumption of music with more Sufi/devotional content, which is musical content of mystical nature. “Tajdar-e-Haram,” a track performed by Atif Aslam, jumps to the top of charts as soon as Ramadan starts. That’s a very clear indication of listeners’ inclination to Sufi content. 

Turkey 

Curations: Ramazan and İftar by Nazlı Yırtar

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

Gathering with family, neighbors around the iftar table; hosting visitors for big iftar dinners. Also the Ramadan-themed TV shows starting before iftar, where conversations around Ramadan are had and music reflecting the theme of the month is played between conversations. Our Ramazan and İftar playlists are definitely inspired by the music I used to hear on TV and radio during the Ramadans of my childhood.

What are some consistent themes behind the songs or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

I try to reflect the calm spirit of the month in our Ramadan playlists with instrumental music or Turkish classical songs that would bring our users the experience around those feelings of peace and serenity.

Singapore and Malaysia

Curations: Penenang Hati, Satu, MendekatiNya, Lagu Raya, Salam Raya by Nurul Husniyah

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the music played during the month? 

Ramadan is a time for connecting and reconnecting with loved ones, so one of the top priorities for most people is coming home to buka puasa or iftar with their families and to also spend time with their friends. Singapore saw the return of two really popular annual Ramadan bazaars at Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam after a two-year hiatus. Even though they are scaled down, these events definitely add festive cheer to this year’s celebrations. Raya (the South Asian way to address Eid al-Fitr) songs will also be soundtracking homes and bazaars as early as the first couple of days to the first week of Ramadan.

What are some consistent themes behind the audio or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

Indonesian artist Opick’s “Ramadan Tiba” (Ramadan is here) and Anuar & Ellina’s “Suasana Di Hari Raya” both start showing up in our viral charts as early as the first day of Ramadan. You can find both of these on Lagu Raya, the quintessential playlist for familiar tracks that dominates the charts throughout the month of Ramadan leading up to Eid al-Fitr. 

Penenang Hati and Satu are usually updated weekly due to the steady stream of artists releasing Ramadan-themed and spiritual tracks throughout the month. Penenang Hati features tracks that are more mellow, and nasyid (nasheed) tracks as well. Satu features more modern-sounding and upbeat Islamic and spiritual tracks.

Indonesia 

Curations: Refleksi Diri, Ketupat Lebaran by Dyah Paramita Saraswati  

What is one element or tradition during Ramadan that is unique to your market? How does that come through in the audio played during the month? 

The unique element in Indonesia during Ramadan is people here usually hang out together or do something unusual in the evening while waiting for iftar. We call the activity “ngabuburit.” That is why Spotify in Indonesia launched a campaign titled #NgabuburitDiSpotify for the second year in a row! Since Ramadan is a big cultural moment in Indonesia, television and radio stations tend to play Islamic songs that are related to Ramadan. Also, some artists launch Ramadan-themed songs during this period, mainly around self-reflection. 

What are some consistent themes behind the audio or artists you’ll program during Ramadan?

For Refleksi Diri, on top of Islamic songs, I also program pop songs themed around wellness, self-reflection, and life contemplation. That is why one of the two music playlists I have programmed is named Refleksi Diri, which means self-reflection in English. As for Ketupat Lebaran, which loosely relates to “The Best of the Festival of Breaking Fast” in reference to the local delicacy ketupat that is served during this period, I program songs that are centered around the celebration of Lebaran or Eid (a period which marks the end of the month of fasting and celebrations over the control over one’s desires).

 

Stream one of the most popular songs during Ramadan—Lebanese Swedish R&B singer Maher Zain’s “Ramadan – English version.” 

RADAR Unites K-pop Star AleXa and Arab Hitmaker Bader AlShuaibi to Create “Is It On”

May 25, 2021

K-pop, which has transformed from a burgeoning genre to a full-fledged musical phenomenon, has held onto its border-crossing world domination for some time now. And yet there are always new fans turning to the genre from around the world. One such place where K-pop found a particular popularity is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): From January 2020 to January 2021, the genre saw a 140% increase in Spotify streaming from users in the region. 

So with K-pop’s prominence as a dominant genre in the MENA region, our Spotify RADAR team saw a unique opportunity to bring an artist from each market together to participate in a cross-border collaboration. The result? Spotify’s first RADAR KOREA artist AleXa and RADAR MENA’s Kuwaiti-Saudi-based creator Bader AlShuaibi’s new single “Is It On.”

“Is It On” is a K-pop-style track with high energy based on a distinctive reggaeton rhythm, a fresh melody line, a catchy lead sound, and a drop. Over the past year, Spotify oversaw a virtual collaboration between AleXa and Bader that will ultimately give both artists global exposure and help them expand their audiences to over 178 markets. Of particular interest are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Qatar, which are currently the top five MENA countries streaming K-pop music.

“K-pop is a phenomenon that has blown up across the world, and as MENA is a crossroads of culture and trade routes from East to West since antiquity, it only makes sense that K-Pop makes a stop over in MENA,” says Spotify’s Wissam Khodur, Artist and Label Partnerships, MENA. “K-pop already has a healthy share of streams per capita in the region, but making the region’s first collaboration between both cultures and genres (K-pop and Khaleeji Pop) will help grow the appreciation for K-pop for sure and bring the artists closer to their fans.” 

RADAR was designed to help emerging artists around the world reach the next stage in their careers and strengthen their connection to listeners. Spotify provides RADAR artists with resources and access to integral marketing opportunities to help them boost their careers, in addition to expanded reach and exposure. When it came to this collaborative song, Spotify was available to support every step of the way.

“From a wide range of marketing support, including a billboard placement in New York Times Square to local and cross-regional playlisting, we’ve been excited for this RADAR collaboration featuring a K-pop artist for the first time in Spotify’s history,” explains Spotify’s Wootae Kim, Artist and Label Partnership, Asia. “We are confident to introduce both AleXa and Bader to each other’s market and globally in the most Spotify way, while continuing to connect K-pop with the world in creative ways.”

To celebrate the launch of the song, we asked each RADAR artist to reflect on the collaboration and what it meant for them as creators. Read what they had to say below. 

Bader AlShuaibi

You’re known for your pop hits. What elements were different in creating a K-pop song? 

Music is music, so the same passion was injected into this project, but the new element I felt during this song was that the tempo of the music was different than what we are used to in the MENA area. It was a fun, new, awesome experience.

What elements of your own creativity and style did you infuse in “Is It On”?

Trying something new in every production. In this one in particular I sang with a fast flow, I almost rapped. Something I’ve always wanted to try and I did.

How can music bring people together across borders? 

Music is a very passionate way of communication. The expansion of Spotify around the globe made it easier to understand what’s going on in every part of this planet. We can understand each other better with music.

AleXa

You became the first RADAR KOREA artist back in August 2020. What has your experience been like since then?

It is a huge honor and I still feel grateful for all the opportunities Spotify has provided. RADAR enabled me and my team to share our music and work of art to fans all over the world. I also got to meet new fans thanks to Spotify. I’m so grateful to everyone behind the scenes that helped make this possible! 

Why should your fans be excited for this collaboration? 

I really believe that this is a never-heard-before kind of project! It has lyrics in Korean, Arabic, and English. And the melody exudes a unique energy based on a distinctive reggaetón rhythm and catchy lead sound. Every element in the track is so distinctive and culturally outstanding on its own, yet they are all beautifully intertwined with each other. It’s a harmony of different cultures. 

I still remember during the recording session, everyone was so pumped up and excited, dancing and jumping to it. I really hope our fans and everyone who gets to hear this project can feel the same energy! 

What are you looking forward to in the future coming out of this collaboration?

I’m currently preparing for my comeback in mid-June, which is very soon! I hope that my lovely and beautiful A.I. Troopers (fan base) enjoy “Is It On,” and hopefully our song reaches new fans globally. I’m also hoping that through this project, more people get to understand that music is borderless and that music itself is communication when listeners can feel the beat!

Want more RADAR? Stream the global RADAR playlist below.

From Egyptian Pop to Indian Bollywood, R3HAB Tastes the World’s Many Sonic Flavors

April 7, 2020

These days, Dutch house producer R3HAB is looking past borders and across the seas for inspiration.

His songs usually fit along nicely with those of fellow Dutch DJs like Afrojack and Hardwell, delivering pulsing beats with a pop flourish. But recently he teamed up with a force from farther south—Egyptian superstar Amr Diab, whose warm, lively croon sails over sparkly synths and a syncopated Dutch thump on a remix of Diab’s 2019 hit “Youm Talat.”

Mixing music of different cultures is often easier said than done, but for R3HAB, this and other recent globe-trotting collaborations came about naturally. “I love the Middle East. I love Southeast Asia. I love India. I love the food, I love the culture, I love the people,” the 34-year-old DJ and producer tells For the Record. “I always listen to all types of music, so it doesn’t matter where it’s from. Spotify stimulates this with their playlists from music all around the world. I just turn those on, and I don’t try to put what I hear in a box.” R3HAB’s appetite for music from all around the world is on full display in his new track—a collaborative cover of the Radiohead song “Creep” featuring DJ/producer/remixer GATTÜSO. Their creative take on the rock classic is the first-ever “mint Singles,” a spin-off of the popular Spotify Singles series and companion to our flagship dance playlist, mint.

Born Fadil El Ghoul, R3HAB grew up in the southern Netherlands city of Breda, where Hardwell also grew up. Dutch house has long had an eclectic streak—Afrojack’s “Moombah” remix was the source code for the freaky fusions of moombahton, after all. And R3HAB takes his own free-flowing approach to dance music, borrowing and reinventing at will.

But he hit a whole new level of cultural engagement when he performed last year at MDL Beast, a massive music festival in Riyadh where R3HAB delivered show-stopping performances. Tens of thousands of fans sang along as he laid down remixes and pumping beats for the likes of Egyptian star Mohamed Hamaki and Saudi legend Rabeh Saqer.

Diab also appeared onstage at MDL Beast, where he and R3HAB unveiled the remix of “Youm Talat.” R3HAB loved the idea of working with the Egyptian great; his mom is a huge fan, and he’s made an indelible mark on pop music from Cairo to Times Square. Diab reached out to R3HAB before the Riyadh festival, sending him the studio recordings of the track and other songs so the younger artist could rebuild them as remixes.

The original “Youm Talat” bursts with Diab’s trademark Mediterranean rhythms and lovestruck lyrics sung in the Egyptian dialect. On the remix, R3HAB keeps Diab’s vocals—instantly recognizable to any fan of Arab pop—but swaps out the Andalusian accordion and Cairo party beat for a silky-smooth sound fit for the peak hours of a late-night dance party. “We made a totally new version with a totally different feel, and he loved it so much,” R3HAB says. “We’re actually working on more music now.”

In addition to reworking Diab’s music, R3HAB teamed up recently with Indian songwriter Qaran Mehta to record “Ki Kehna,” a nightclub ballad that combines Dutch house with swooning Bollywood pop. It’s projects like these that distinguish R3HAB as a global-minded innovator. 

“R3HAB is a really talented DJ and producer, building his career very well over the last years,” says Wilbert Mutsaers, Spotify Head of Music Benelux. “He’s in our perspective one of the most hardworking, friendly, and motivated Dutch DJs we know, and also very actively involved in promoting his own music and collabs.”

Indeed, wherever R3HAB is, he’s always hungry for new sounds and collaborators. “It’s actually similar to my food,” he says. “I like to taste all kitchens all around the world.”

Hit play on Spotify’s flagship dance playlist, mint, to hear R3HAB’s and GATTÜSO’s new remix of the Radiohead classic “Creep.”

5 Ramadan-Inspired Playlists to Stream This Month

May 9, 2019

Each night as the sun begins to set during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslim friends and families around the world gather after a day of fasting and reflection. Ramadan marks the holiest time of the Muslim year—a month of spiritual rejuvenation, humility, and togetherness.

Community gatherings around Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, and Iftar, the breakfast meal, play a particularly significant role. This week, we kicked Ramadan off with our own Suhoor in Egypt. Guests enjoyed a traditional menu with kobeba (a Middle-Eastern meatloaf) and erk sous (licorice juice) and were entertained by Hegazy Metkal, an iconic Egyptian folk singer.

Hegazy Metkal

We talked to a few friends of Spotify about their own Ramadan traditions. “We eat together of course—it’s a must,” says Egyptian-Lebanese travel and entertainment vlogger Mohamed Mekawy. “We go pray together, watch some series together … it’s all about togetherness.”

Fashion and lifestyle blogger Sarah Taha agrees that her family’s traditions for the holy month include “Praying together, akeed!” (Akeed is an Arabic term for “of course.”) TV presenter and influencer Amr Rady explained that in his family, “the first person to leave the family gathering has to invite everyone for Iftar the next day.”

In addition to prayer and traditional celebratory food, families and friends listen to everyone’s favorite classic and spiritual Ramadan tunes and anthems. Below are our five Ramadan playlists, created or updated especially to celebrate the holy month and provide people of all faiths a sense of the sounds—traditional and modern alike—enjoyed and shared by Muslims around the world.

Ramadan Mubarak

Billions of Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan. Each of the different cultures also has different traditions—whether it be cooking special food or wearing certain colors or costumes. So to celebrate the holiness and the diversity of practice in this month, we put together a multicultural and personalized playlist on the Global Arab hub.

Ramadan Series

During the holy month, Arab families gather to watch their favorite shows made specifically for Ramadan, called Mosalsalat Ramadan in Arabic. This playlist showcases the soundtracks of the most popular Ramadan TV dramas in the Middle East and North Africa.

https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX4szXk9xARLm?si=jWQpabTVRzKcPwev0VtnBQ

Ramadan Chill

With instrumental Eastern melodies that are relaxing and spiritual, this playlist is best suited to winding down for the evening at Iftar. The playlist includes artists and songs recognizable to listeners throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWWvGPolkxTYD?

Jalsat

Think of this playlist as “Ramadan Unplugged” (Jalsat means “sessions”). The music, unique to the Persian Gulf region, has an unusual yet alluring beat. It features Khaleeji (people of the Arab peninsula) artists performing both classics and new songs with the crowd clapping along in the background.

Sheilat

Popular in the Persian Gulf, Sheilat is based on folklore and driven more by lyrics than instruments. This is more conservative, traditional music for the month—sure to get you in a reflective mood and mindset.

You can also take a listen to Lagu Ramadan and Lagu Raya for the sounds of Ramadan in Malaysia and Singapore, and Ketupat Lebaran for Indonesia. Or, stream the Ramazan playlist to get a feel for the holy month in Turkey. And because the start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the moon, why not check out Stargazer?

No matter where you are, Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate.

Mabrook! Spotify is Deepening Our Commitment to Arab Culture Around the Globe

November 14, 2018

From Arabic classical and pop to gritty folk, funk, and hip-hop sounds, Arabic music is alive, poetic, energetic, and complex. This is why we are excited to announce that today, Spotify is launching in 13 new markets across the Middle East and North Africa—and making these unique sounds available to music lovers around the Arab world and beyond.

The Arab region is richly diverse, with varied musical styles and genres. Now, all users in the Middle East and North Africa will have access to Spotify’s entire catalogue of over 40 million tracks and billions of playlists, including a library of brand new, fully curated playlists available exclusively for listeners in the MENA region. From Today’s Top Arabic Hits (أفضل الاغاني العربية)—the finest and freshest hits from the Arabic world—to Feel Good Arabic Hits (احساس جديد) and dance-floor favorites on Arabic EDM (بالعربي) music fans in MENA can enjoy artists, albums, and songs across every genre for every mood and moment, all in a fully localized Arabic Spotify service with right-to-left text alignment.

The 13 new market launches increase Spotify’s total footprint to 78 total markets globally.

“I am super excited to share with you that, from today, Spotify is now available across the Middle East and North Africa,” says Cecila Qvist, Spotify’s Global Head of Markets. “Spotify is launching in MENA with a full Arabic service, dozens of locally curated playlists for every mood and moment, and access to a full catalog of millions of songs, for both our free and premium users. Music fans will also enjoy Spotify’s personalized music recommendations from day one, which will help them easily enjoy, discover, and share new music from local and international artists.”

Of course, there are many millions of lovers of Arab music living outside the MENA region. So, in addition to these 13 new markets, we are also launching a globally accessible Arab hub as part of our Global Cultures initiative, which will connect the music and culture of the Middle East with listeners everywhere.

“As an artist who lived in the Middle East for 30 years, toured the world as a musician and now lives in the U.S., I’ve experienced the differences and similarities between Arabs around the world—and how close they are, even if they’re from different places,” says Suhel Nafar, Spotify’s Senior Arab Music & Culture Editor. “The Arab hub provides the unique platform that brings the full spectrum of Arab culture and creativity, past and present. Celebrating the different dialects, styles, flavors, and sounds.”

Listeners worldwide can explore the Arab hub to find playlists such as Yalla Araby (“Let’s go Arabic”—hits from the Middle East and North Africa); Women Wa Bas (Arab female artists); ’90s Arabic Hits (big at Arab wedding parties); and Arab Indie (emerging Arabic tracks and artists). More playlists highlight essential hits from various regions and cultures, like Egyptian, Lebanese, Palestinian, Moroccan, and Syrian.

“I wanted to focus on moods and moments that are important in Arab culture and history. Stargazer is dedicated to the Arabs who originally influenced astronomy. Many people don’t know that many stars have Arabic names. ‘Altair,’ shortened from ‘Nisr Al-Tair,’ means ‘the flying eagle’ in Arabic. People can sit back and relax to the instrumental playlist, which features various genres of classical music and maqamat (traditional melodies), and enjoy a piece of our culture.”

The Arab hub provides the unique platform that brings the full spectrum of Arab culture and creativity, past and present. Celebrating the different dialects, styles, flavors, and sounds.

— Suhel Nafar, Spotify’s Senior Arab Music & Culture Editor

From the Arab hub, listeners can also navigate to Arab X, which features crossovers of songs by artists and producers from the Arab diaspora, whether Lebanese-Colombian artist Shakira or Moroccan-American rapper FrenchMontana. Newcomers to Arabic music should start with Yalla Araby or Mahraganat, also known as electro-shaabi. (“When you walk in New York past the halal carts, those are the songs they will be playing,” Suhel says.)

Music is at the core of communities around the globe. Though the instruments used, rhythms created, and topics explored may change, the desire to express ourselves remains universal. That’s why we’re so proud to bring these sounds and stories to music lovers around the Arab world and beyond.

Listen to Yalla Araby and the rest of the Arab hub on Spotify.