DUBAI: The inaugural edition of the Billboard Arabia Music Awards — which will take place on Dec. 11 at the King Fahad Cultural Centre, as part of the first edition of Riyadh Music Week — will present awards in more than 40 categories, organizers announced.
Some of the categories include Top Artist, Song of the Year, Best in Dialect Charts, and Top New Artist of the Year.
With 210 nominations and 96 artists covering top songs, artists, composers, songwriters, and producers, Al Shami leads the nomination count with 14, while other prominent stars such as Assala Nasri, Ahmad Saad, Tamer Ashour, alongside Elissa, Dystinct, Ayed and Tul8te, are also nominated.
The 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.
The event celebrates established and emerging regional talents, as well as the 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.
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 between 10 percent and 15 percent, Billboard Arabia is poised to shape the regional and global music scene, driving economic growth and fostering creative expression.
Mike Van, the president of Billboard, expressed pride in the strategic partnership with SRMG, saying in a statement: “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.
“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,” he added.
Rami Zeidan, managing director of Billboard Arabia, described the event as historic: “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.”
Zeidan 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.”
