The first edition of the Billboard Arabia Music Awards will present more than 40 prestigious awards, based on listenership data, and will be attended by renowned and rising stars.

• 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.

Tickets are now on sale. To buy tickets and for more updates and news, please visit billboardarabia.com.