As the global appeal for music from the Arab world grows, major digital streaming platforms (DSPs) continue to push the region’s rich artistic landscape—and the untapped potential of its many voices. From powerhouse names to emerging underground stars, Arab artists are being amplified like never before through curated programs that prioritize discovery, cultural storytelling, and regional identity. Here’s a closer look at how platforms like Anghami, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music are leading that change: 

Anghami: Moja, Discovery Arabia, and Sawt Jadeed

Another exciting initiative making waves in the region is Moja - a new program launched by Anghami in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission, designed to equip the next generation of Saudi musicians with the tools to launch professional careers, and offer them hands-on training across five distinct genres - Hip-Hop, Tarab, Remixes, Classical Arabic, and Saudi Pop - ensuring a wide creative spectrum for participants.

Held in Riyadh and Jeddah’s leading music hubs, the program combines bootcamps, collaborative team-based production, and mentorship from industry experts. Additionally, it offers participants access to music labels, artist networks, and a certified music curriculum.

In May 2025, Moja successfully concluded its second program, led by five distinguished artists who mentored the participants throughout the journey. Among them were Saudi poet Turki Al-Sharif, acclaimed Jordanian singer, composer, and producer Aziz Maraka, and Lebanese electronic music producer Emdee Jabr—known for his collaborations with regional icons such as Nancy Ajram and Assi El Hallani.

https://moja-anghami.com/en-responsive.html

Building on its commitment to emerging voices, Anghami also rolled out Sawt Jdeed, a talent accelerator that highlights rising artists from across the Arab world through session-style performances. Season 1 brought together a range of fresh voices, offering them professionally produced acoustic recordings and a month-long promotional push across the platform. Among the standout names were Jordanian-Palestinian singer Zeyne, Lebanese artist Zef, Egyptian artist Malak Al Hussainy, and acclaimed rapper Husayn—each of whom gained wider recognition through the program’s spotlight.

https://play.anghami.com/profile/127782749

Further amplifying regional talent, Discovery Arabia is a curated playlist and dedicated to spotlighting emerging voices from across the Arab world. Through social media features and artist-led narratives, it introduces audiences to rising talents like Egyptian singer-songwriter Yousef Al Ashry, Saudi artist Yazeed Fahad, and Lebanese singer Farah Nakhoul. 

https://play.anghami.com/playlist/210168949

Apple Music: Alpha, and Up Next

As part of Apple Music’s commitment to championing emerging talent, Up Next is both a curated playlist and artist program that spotlights rising voices shaping the global music landscape. This edition features Arab artists like Tam Tam, Misaal Tamer, and Adam Nabeel—each bringing a unique sound and perspective. Through their standout tracks, the playlist offers a glimpse into the future of music from the region, reflecting their creative energy, individuality, and growing momentum.

https://music.apple.com/sa/playlist/alpha/pl.bcb2f44b6e194cfa8950a796b4e65cd1

Additionally, and released in honour of International Women’s Day, Alpha is a curated playlist that highlights a diverse group of female artists from the Arab world and beyond, touching on many dimensions of womanhood—both in experience and expression.
This playlist features names like Felukah and Lella Fadda, who are known to be game-changers in hip hop and indie. It moves through a wide range of themes—including female empowerment, identity, authenticity, love, and intimacy—while also offering space for reflection and conversation.

https://music.apple.com/sa/playlist/alpha/pl.bcb2f44b6e194cfa8950a796b4e65cd1

Spotify: EQUAL Arabia, Fresh Finds Arabia and Radar Arabia

In just over 6 years, Spotify has solidified its role as a leading force in amplifying the voices of Arab artists. Through a mix of genre-spanning playlists, music programs, and regional initiatives, the platform has consistently championed talent from across the MENA region. Spotify combines both curated playlists, alongside educational and artist discovery programs, constantly activating Spotify for Artists Master Classes in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE, with more genre-focused ones rolling out this year. 

Another standout initiative is EQUAL Arabia, the regional arm of Spotify’s global program dedicated to advancing gender equity in music. It shines a spotlight on female artists by providing visibility through curated playlists and marketing support, helping them expand their reach and unlock new professional opportunities.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXbgtqUuhUMh3?si=_H4SdylaQMaX2SxP0EBeqw&pi=4kjEmKGCRGOZ3

Meanwhile, last year’s Fresh Finds Saudi Arabia Residency supported emerging talent through immersive, hands-on experiences. The initiative brought together up and coming artists from Spotify's Fresh Finds Arabia playlist and acclaimed producers for collaborative studio sessions, while also providing mentorship and industry insights through expert-led workshops.

In its inaugural 2024 edition, the residency spotlighted four dynamic collaborations — the Saudi band Seera, who teamed up with Egyptian producer El Waili to create the track “Nafas”, along with the Saudi singer Grzzlee teaming up with the Egyptian producer Ismail Nosrat to produce “Yamur El Waqt”, Saudi singer and songwriter Kali-B along with Moroccan DJ and producer Soufiane AZ on the energetic track “GOLI KEEF”, and lastly, Saudi singer and rapper BrownMusic’s collaboration with Saudi rapper and producer Ntitled on the experimental track “Tas’eed”. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWUTC08ZxLjSQ?si=teOmupsvR7CpME-hJo_NeQ&pi=B_1XPI3XQRKe-

Finally, we have RADAR Arabia, which reflects Spotify’s long-term commitment to emerging talent. As part of a global program, it focuses on local impact—introducing artists to their own communities while building pathways for broader international exposure.

https://open.spotify.com/genre/radar-page?si=xcJ_3q8sTv6u3aOq-fcE1A

YouTube Music: Foundry, Curated Playlists, Masterclasses & more

YouTube Music’s artist strategy has focused on long-term growth, offering a wide range of tools and support systems to help Arab artists thrive across formats and geographies. Arabs Abroad, a curated playlist spotlighting emerging talent from the Arab diaspora. Meanwhile, Aywa Araby serves as “The home for the hottest pop hits from the greatest Arab stars.”

YouTube Music

Beyond editorial curation, YouTube Music continues to invest in artist education and development. In late 2024, the platform launched a monthly Newsletter and Masterclass series under the YouTube for Artists initiative. This hub was created to guide artists and their teams on how to maximize their presence across YouTube - whether through Shorts, analytics, release strategies, or monetization tips - making it a practical resource for long-term success.

YouTube is also home to Foundry, its flagship global program for independent talent. Foundry is dedicated to nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and giving independent artists the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive music landscape.  In April 2025, YouTube Music announced the latest wave of Foundry artists, marking a continued expansion into new markets,

On the ground, YouTube is also empowering the industry ecosystem. In December 2024, YouTube partnered with the Saudi Music Commission to launch the Music Manager Training Program—a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to upskill and fund 12 artist managers in Saudi Arabia. The program aims to strengthen the local infrastructure by ensuring artists have informed, well-equipped teams behind them.

Finally, YouTube Music Days is an ongoing event series bringing together music partners, artists, and creators for a full day of upskilling and networking. Held most recently in May 2025, the event welcomed over 80 attendees from across MENA and covered topics like visual storytelling, programming best practices, and creative strategy across YouTube’s multiformat ecosystem. Artists also shared first-hand stories about leveraging Shorts, YouTube Music, and long-form content to grow their audiences.

What unites these diverse programs — whether it’s an artistic development residency, a spotlight on women rewriting the narrative of hip-hop, or a masterclass shaping the future of the region’s voice — is the growing recognition of the Arab world as a creative force worth investing in. By bridging grassroots talent with global infrastructure, these platforms aren’t just adapting to a new musical landscape — they’re helping shape it. As more artists from the region step confidently into the spotlight, these programs remind us that real cultural shifts begin when voices are not just heard, but nurtured.