RIYADH: Riyadh’s XP Music Futures serenaded music enthusiasts by featuring international artists and creating new opportunities for music industry professionals from diverse backgrounds at the Jax District in Diriyah this weekend.
The summit marked the launch of Riyadh Music Week, which will also include the Global Music Makers Summit, Billboard Arabia Music Awards, Music Cities Convention Awards, and the Soundstorm 2024 music festival.
The 3-day event, which wraps up on Dec. 7, features distinct “DAY” and “NITE” programming. XP DAY featured a daytime program with workshops, panel discussions, and sessions led by diverse speakers.
XP NITE is a nighttime activation where regional event organizers, promoters, and record labels take over and perform at JAX’s multiple stages with a colorful array of music genres.
Bader Assery, senior project manager at MDLBEAST, told Arab News the music event has collaborated with Nigerian artists, bringing new Afrobeats flavors to the region.
“We try as much as we can to differentiate year on year. We don’t want it to be repetitive or boring and we want to bring something new every year to excite the audience and to attract new audiences.
“This year we are partnering with a lot of musicians from Nigeria. Every year we have a specific country we focus on and collaborate with.”
Artists from the country performed a mix of Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music, showcasing their culture through music, said Assery.
“The beauty from what I have seen from the artists that we brought in is that even if they take sounds that are very common, they add their own flavor and sound to it. It feels much more authentic than copying pasting another sound, which is something we try to do with our Saudi artists as well.”
Writer, musician, and composer Heba Hussein, who goes by the stage name Kayan, told Arab News she came to XP to explore a new culture.
“I came to XP for cultural diversity and impressive musicians and also to expand my knowledge of the Saudi musical community and it is very impressive.”
The artist, who is known for blending Arabic poetry with jazz and neo-soul, said she is looking forward to her set.
“As for my feelings for my show on Saturday, I am very excited and a little stressed, but this is normal …I am confident of my ability to present a wonderful show. The world is not ready for the change I will make in the music industry.”
