MDLBEAST Foundation Continues Revolutionizing Music Ecosystem in the MENA Region with a Rich Agenda in 2025
MDLBEAST Foundation has announced its ambitious plans for 2025, solidifying its position as a leading driver of the music industry in the MENA region. Building on four successful editions, MDLBEAST Foundation is pioneering a new era of transformation, collaboration, and innovation, with a focus on humanity, sustainability, and conscious music.As part of this vision, the MDLBEAST Foundation hosted an exclusive gala at Attache, an unforgettable evening of entertainment and celebration. The event welcomed over 180+ distinguished guests, including industry leaders, celebrities, and influential figures from the music world, setting the stage for a year of groundbreaking initiatives.
Nada Alhelabi, the General Manager of MDLBEAST Foundation, expressed: 'We are committed to advancing the music industry through innovative research, sustainable practices, and meaningful collaborations. Our XP initiatives in 2025 are designed to create shared value for all members of the music community. This year, we are proud to complement these efforts with initiatives such as our HUNNA mentorship program, the XPERFORM talent competition, and the XCHANGE workshop series. Each of these reflects our mission to support emerging talent and foster a vibrant, sustainable music ecosystem.'
Empowering the Ecosystem: MDLBEAST Foundation Key Highlights in 2024 and 2025 Plans
In 2024, MDLBEAST Foundation initiatives made significant strides in empowering the music ecosystem in the MENA region. Key highlights include:XP Music Futures: Hosted the fourth edition of the premier music conference in the region, bringing together industry experts, artists, producers, labels, and music enthusiasts. Pioneering New Milestones in 2025 XP Music Futures conference will return for its fifth edition, bringing together industry experts, artists, producers, labels, and music enthusiasts for the region's leading three-day music conference. This flagship event remains central to our mission of scaling the music industry across MENA.Hearful: Our hearing health awareness initiative conducted over 140 hearing tests and diagnosed 13 individuals with hearing difficulties in 2024, emphasizing the importance of hearing health awareness. The initiative focusing on tinnitus awareness and prevention, will continue its mission of safeguarding hearing health. In collaboration with Arabtone, we aim to expand our efforts to offer hearing tests and provide earplugs at XP and Soundstorm events.
XCHANGE: a dynamic series of workshops touring the Middle East, hosted sessions in Kuwait City, Tunis, and Muscat throughout 2024, bringing together over 200 music professionals and fostering regional collaboration. XCHANGE kicked off its 2025 tour on February 6th in Manama, Bahrain, marking the start of an expanded journey across the region. The tour will continue in Doha, Marrakech, and Riyadh, providing a platform for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and drive the music scene forward. Each city will host a Hunna gathering, bringing together women in the industry for collective forums.
The workshop in Manama, titled 'Musician & Multi-Disciplinary Creative Artist Performing,' will feature a distinguished lineup of panelists, including Ali Zayani, Co-founder of Soundscapes; Mashael Fairooz, Founding Partner of JEO Capital Management; Lance Tobin, Vice President of Booking at Al Dana Amphitheatre; and Wrista, Recording Artist & Founder of L.O.A.D.B Productions.
Sound Futures: XP Sound Futures initiative connects eligible music startups with investors to drive innovation in the music ecosystem. In 2024, six startups pitched to investors at XP, and we will open a new call for applications in March 2025. This initiative is a cornerstone of our efforts to expand business opportunities within the music industry.PWR CHORD: Launched in 2024 at XP Music Futures, PWR CHORD featured 10 talented guitarists performing before a panel of six renowned judges, including world-famous guitarists. The winner received a unique signed guitar from Megadeth's lead guitarist, marking a major milestone in their career.XPERFORM: Discovered and elevated fresh talent, offering a platform for new voices, with Lamia Khattab winning in 2024 and earning a performance at Soundstorm'24 and a 2025 collaboration with MDLBEAST Records. Lamia Khattab won and stood out amongst more than 1000 individuals representing more than 36 nationalities. Returning for its fourth edition to discover and elevate fresh new voices.Storm Shaker: The search for the next breakthrough DJ returns in 2025, culminating in a thrilling final competition at XP in December. The winner will debut at Soundstorm and embark on an international tour as the grand prize. Last year's winner, Saadoon, is already scheduled to perform in O- -Beach Dubai, EXIT Festival, MOGA, and BSMNT The Club, after performing at Soundstorm.Artist Management Bootcamp: Graduated 35 participants, equipping them with comprehensive artist management knowledge, with top graduates securing internships at Sony Music, Warner Music, and MDLBEAST Records, nurturing the next generation of industry leaders, We aim to expand this program further in 2025, empowering future leaders in the industry.In its mission to scale and empower the regional music ecosystem, MDLBEAST's XP has outlined a series of impactful initiatives for 2025, including the continuation of Hearful to promote hearing health, the launch of XCHANGE workshops in 3 new destinations, Manama, Doha & Marrakesh to foster collaboration and support women in the industry through Hunna gatherings, and the expansion of Sound Futures to connect music startups with investors. Other initiatives include XPERFORM, aimed at discovering new voices; Storm Shaker, a DJ competition culminating in international tours; and the Artist Management Bootcamp to nurture the next generation of industry leaders.Alhelabi further noted: 'Through these initiatives, MDLBEAST Foundation is not only shaping the future of music in Saudi Arabia and the region but also contributing to the development of a global music industry that is innovative, inclusive, and resilient.''We extend our gratitude to our community and partners who share our mission to elevate the music industry in the region. As we embark on our 2025 journey, we invite new partners to join us in scaling and fortifying the music ecosystem through XP initiatives', Alhelabi added.
Nite Ventures (New Initiative): This year, we are launching Nite Ventures, an initiative dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, event promoters, and venue owners to create and launch new nightlife events, shaping Riyadh's growing entertainment scene. Additionally, will support the emerging Riyadh nightlife concepts and event creators.
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Syyaha
02-03-2025
- Syyaha
MDLBEAST Foundation Continues Revolutionizing Music Ecosystem in the MENA Region with a Rich Agenda in 2025
MDLBEAST Foundation has announced its ambitious plans for 2025, solidifying its position as a leading driver of the music industry in the MENA region. Building on four successful editions, MDLBEAST Foundation is pioneering a new era of transformation, collaboration, and innovation, with a focus on humanity, sustainability, and conscious part of this vision, the MDLBEAST Foundation hosted an exclusive gala at Attache, an unforgettable evening of entertainment and celebration. The event welcomed over 180+ distinguished guests, including industry leaders, celebrities, and influential figures from the music world, setting the stage for a year of groundbreaking initiatives. Nada Alhelabi, the General Manager of MDLBEAST Foundation, expressed: 'We are committed to advancing the music industry through innovative research, sustainable practices, and meaningful collaborations. Our XP initiatives in 2025 are designed to create shared value for all members of the music community. This year, we are proud to complement these efforts with initiatives such as our HUNNA mentorship program, the XPERFORM talent competition, and the XCHANGE workshop series. Each of these reflects our mission to support emerging talent and foster a vibrant, sustainable music ecosystem.' Empowering the Ecosystem: MDLBEAST Foundation Key Highlights in 2024 and 2025 Plans In 2024, MDLBEAST Foundation initiatives made significant strides in empowering the music ecosystem in the MENA region. Key highlights include:XP Music Futures: Hosted the fourth edition of the premier music conference in the region, bringing together industry experts, artists, producers, labels, and music enthusiasts. Pioneering New Milestones in 2025 XP Music Futures conference will return for its fifth edition, bringing together industry experts, artists, producers, labels, and music enthusiasts for the region's leading three-day music conference. This flagship event remains central to our mission of scaling the music industry across Our hearing health awareness initiative conducted over 140 hearing tests and diagnosed 13 individuals with hearing difficulties in 2024, emphasizing the importance of hearing health awareness. The initiative focusing on tinnitus awareness and prevention, will continue its mission of safeguarding hearing health. In collaboration with Arabtone, we aim to expand our efforts to offer hearing tests and provide earplugs at XP and Soundstorm events. XCHANGE: a dynamic series of workshops touring the Middle East, hosted sessions in Kuwait City, Tunis, and Muscat throughout 2024, bringing together over 200 music professionals and fostering regional collaboration. XCHANGE kicked off its 2025 tour on February 6th in Manama, Bahrain, marking the start of an expanded journey across the region. The tour will continue in Doha, Marrakech, and Riyadh, providing a platform for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and drive the music scene forward. Each city will host a Hunna gathering, bringing together women in the industry for collective forums. The workshop in Manama, titled 'Musician & Multi-Disciplinary Creative Artist Performing,' will feature a distinguished lineup of panelists, including Ali Zayani, Co-founder of Soundscapes; Mashael Fairooz, Founding Partner of JEO Capital Management; Lance Tobin, Vice President of Booking at Al Dana Amphitheatre; and Wrista, Recording Artist & Founder of L.O.A.D.B Productions. Sound Futures: XP Sound Futures initiative connects eligible music startups with investors to drive innovation in the music ecosystem. In 2024, six startups pitched to investors at XP, and we will open a new call for applications in March 2025. This initiative is a cornerstone of our efforts to expand business opportunities within the music CHORD: Launched in 2024 at XP Music Futures, PWR CHORD featured 10 talented guitarists performing before a panel of six renowned judges, including world-famous guitarists. The winner received a unique signed guitar from Megadeth's lead guitarist, marking a major milestone in their Discovered and elevated fresh talent, offering a platform for new voices, with Lamia Khattab winning in 2024 and earning a performance at Soundstorm'24 and a 2025 collaboration with MDLBEAST Records. Lamia Khattab won and stood out amongst more than 1000 individuals representing more than 36 nationalities. Returning for its fourth edition to discover and elevate fresh new Shaker: The search for the next breakthrough DJ returns in 2025, culminating in a thrilling final competition at XP in December. The winner will debut at Soundstorm and embark on an international tour as the grand prize. Last year's winner, Saadoon, is already scheduled to perform in O- -Beach Dubai, EXIT Festival, MOGA, and BSMNT The Club, after performing at Management Bootcamp: Graduated 35 participants, equipping them with comprehensive artist management knowledge, with top graduates securing internships at Sony Music, Warner Music, and MDLBEAST Records, nurturing the next generation of industry leaders, We aim to expand this program further in 2025, empowering future leaders in the its mission to scale and empower the regional music ecosystem, MDLBEAST's XP has outlined a series of impactful initiatives for 2025, including the continuation of Hearful to promote hearing health, the launch of XCHANGE workshops in 3 new destinations, Manama, Doha & Marrakesh to foster collaboration and support women in the industry through Hunna gatherings, and the expansion of Sound Futures to connect music startups with investors. Other initiatives include XPERFORM, aimed at discovering new voices; Storm Shaker, a DJ competition culminating in international tours; and the Artist Management Bootcamp to nurture the next generation of industry further noted: 'Through these initiatives, MDLBEAST Foundation is not only shaping the future of music in Saudi Arabia and the region but also contributing to the development of a global music industry that is innovative, inclusive, and resilient.''We extend our gratitude to our community and partners who share our mission to elevate the music industry in the region. As we embark on our 2025 journey, we invite new partners to join us in scaling and fortifying the music ecosystem through XP initiatives', Alhelabi added. Nite Ventures (New Initiative): This year, we are launching Nite Ventures, an initiative dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, event promoters, and venue owners to create and launch new nightlife events, shaping Riyadh's growing entertainment scene. Additionally, will support the emerging Riyadh nightlife concepts and event creators.
Gulf Weekly
06-01-2025
- Gulf Weekly
Emotions on loop
Having recently embarked on an 'experimental' journey with her latest single Down Bad, Bahraini singer Noora Almoosa aka Goodth_ngs has big hopes for its official release this year. Last month, the 27-year-old gave fans in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a taste of the creation, among others in her set list, as she participated for the first time in the famed XP Music Futures conference. In November, the artist opened with the track for Canadian-Bahraini duo Majid Jordan at Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre, and the composition has been 'shaping up' with every performance. 'It started as a three-note guitar thing and I'm singing over it. It's kind of like spoken word poetry, almost and I'm singing here and there,' Noora told GulfWeekly. 'But then, because I was curious about live looping, and I wanted to incorporate it, I borrowed my friend's loop equipment and I started playing around with it, and I asked her if I can use it for my next show, which at the time was in Kuwait,' the Berklee Abu Dhabi alumna, who attended the music school's Performing Artists and Leadership programme in 2023, added. Live looping is a playing technique based on loops which are recorded during the performance. It's a way to compose in real time, or 'near real time' since the loops are recorded seconds or minutes before they are heard. 'I remember telling the audience, 'by the way, the performance is experimental' because I still do not know how to use it. Over time, I got more confident and that song built because of that experience. 'The composition had a natural evolvement through time and, mirrors the time that I am in, as it developed from almost a spoken word piece to a live looping piece that came to be through my experiences, practising for shows and performing live around the region in 2024. 'I've never done live looping before and this has been a growing part of my practice especially as a solo artist,' the A'ali resident revealed. 'I believe it's like, you're always thinking 'what more can I do?'. Sometimes you shock yourself, with where you start with a body of work, and then where you take it. Trusting and allowing myself to play has been the main part of the whole experience,' she added. While she continues to work towards the official release of the track, the former corporate junkie is grateful for the opportunities she had especially in the last year, with live performances that make her feel 'in her element', regardless of the artistic challenges she sets for herself. 'I think, performances and live shows are my favourite part of being an artist, because I feel very at home doing it. My first love has always been being on stage. 'I am really grateful for the path I am on of learning, playing, exploring, creating and releasing my projects, doing bigger stages in Bahrain and around the Gulf region, as well as talking and connecting with people through the experiences. It's been the blessing in my evolving artistry. 'I've also come to appreciate the different hats I've worn as an artist, like organically considering visuals and the artwork as well as the more operational and business side of things as it's a part of it (musical career), but my focus will always come back to my music and practice of it. 'Letting it speak for me and grow with me, I've learned to be really confident in my abilities and lean on my community, which I'm very grateful for.' Not one to rest on past laurels, Noora is determined to stay curious, work on projects and do more shows on new stages. 'I hope to perform locally and abroad insha Allah (God willing) and continue connecting with people,' she noted. For more details, follow @goodth_ngs on Instagram.
Syyaha
08-12-2024
- Syyaha
XP Music Futures 2024 Concludes: A Celebration of Transformation and Global Impact -
The fourth edition of XP Music Futures culminated in an inspiring finale yesterday, with Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of MDLBEAST, reflecting on the remarkable journey transforming Saudi Arabia into a global music hub in just five Arena space was filled during the session titled '5 Years of MDLBEAST: Building A Future Where Creatives Can Flourish', Alharatani recounted the early days of MDLBEAST and its ambitious vision to shift from importing entertainment to creating it:'There was a treasure of untapped local talent that hadn't had the chance to perform at the right platform. Everyone used to go abroad for it. It made perfect sense to say: let's bring it home, let's do it our way, let's celebrate our talent, and let's do something that hasn't been done before.'Under Alharatani leadership, MDLBEAST launched Soundstorm, the flagship regional music festival amassing over 1.7 million attendees across its past three editions. Alharatani credited the collaborative efforts of stakeholders for this success:'The entire ecosystem came into play to make magic happen, proving that we could deliver quality at an unprecedented scale and speed.'Nada Alhelabi, General Manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation, reflected on MDLBEAST's transformative impact:'Festivals like XP don't just showcase talent; they push mindsets and creativity forward. Within one festival, you can accelerate this kind of exciting progression.'Day Three Highlights: David Guetta, The Grammys & Empowering WomenDay Three featured the standout David Guetta Masterclass, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the creative process of one of the world's top DJs. Guetta encouraged artists to embrace their local culture and explore Arabic scales to craft globally resonant music:'If I were in the Middle East, I would try to harness the power of the unique Arabic musical scales. In the West, we use scales drawn from the classical period. But here you have so many unique semitones that can be used to create great dance music.'In another keynote session, Panos Panay, President of the Recording Academy, announced exciting plans to bring Grammy initiatives to the Middle East:'We are embarking on a strategic plan to expand the mission of our Academy globally. This region will be among the first to benefit from new educational programs, collaborations, and member recruitment.'Empowering Women and Celebrating DiversityThe session 'Women in Music: Celebrating Milestones & Identifying Gaps to Be Closed' explored the strides made by women in Saudi Arabia's music scene. Panelists, including guitarist Haya Alhejailan of the band Seera, an all-female Arabic psychedelic rock+ band, emphasized the importance of continued progress and the need to keep promoting the role of women in the music Performances and CelebrationsThe event closed with a series of unforgettable performances:Warner Music Group took over the main stage with their artists; Joeboy, KOLD AF, and Wizard Chan delivered an electrifying Afrobeat set that had the audience dancing late into the night.● The grand finale crowned the winners of XPERFORM and the Storm Shaker Finals, celebrating the next generation of stars in the MENA music District transformed into a playground of sound, light, and culture, leaving attendees inspired by the connections and creativity that sparked in every corner over the three 2024: A Spectacular SuccessXP Music Futures 2024 brought together over 200 speakers and 150 artists over three transformative days, blending cutting-edge day programs and electrifying night performances in Riyadh's JAX 45% of speakers being female, the event highlighted inclusivity alongside its focus on fostering youth leadership, showcasing MENA music's global influence, and creating platforms for local talent through initiatives like XPERFORM, Storm Shaker, and showcases, and discussions that explored regional identity, cultural authenticity, and the growing acceptance of music as a career, driving tourism, hospitality, and creative industries while shaping the future of the MENA music the momentum of XP Music Futures, all eyes now turn to Soundstorm 2024, poised to carry forward the energy, innovation, and collaboration inspired by these three transformative days The post XP Music Futures 2024 Concludes: A Celebration of Transformation and Global Impact appeared first on سياحة.
