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Identity
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Identity
Egyptian Artists on the Rise: Spotify's Loud & Clear Report Highlights Global Reach and Independent Artist Growth
Egyptian artists are reaching new heights in the streaming world, building international audiences and growing their earnings. On the heels of World Music Day, Spotify has released its Loud & Clear report — shared for the first time in Egypt — offering a transparent look at how artists are benefiting from streaming, and how local sounds are resonating far beyond national borders. Loud & Clear, Spotify's annual music economics report, was created to bring greater clarity to the music industry by breaking down where royalties come from, how they are distributed, and who is earning. The 2024 Egypt edition paints a picture of an independent-driven music scene with global momentum and a growing local fan base. Royalties for Egyptian Artists Up 5x Since 2022 According to the report, royalties earned by Egyptian artists on Spotify have increased more than fivefold since 2022, with a 100% rise between 2023 and 2024 alone. The sharp year-on-year increase highlights growing listener engagement with Egyptian music — both at home and abroad — and reflects the continued evolution of streaming into a key source of income for artists. 'This is a pivotal moment for Egyptian music. The growth we're seeing goes beyond numbers — it signals a real shift in how artists are building audiences, careers, and cultural impact. Streaming is playing a key role in that transformation, creating new ways for artists to be heard and discovered, both locally and globally. What we've shared in Loud & Clear reflects this momentum — and it's only the start,' said Mark Abou Jaoude, Spotify's Head of Music for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan. Independent Sounds Take the Spotlight Independent artists and labels are at the forefront of Egypt's music scene, accounting for the majority of royalties earned in 2024. In 2024, more than 90% of royalties earned by Egyptian artists came from independent creators or labels — one of the highest independent shares globally. Genres like Mahraganat and Egyptian Hip-Hop, once considered underground, now rank among the most streamed in the country. These sounds, rooted in local culture and led by artist-owned creativity, are shaping the sonic identity of Egypt and finding resonance with listeners around the world. Egyptian Music Travels Far The data shows that Egyptian artists are increasingly finding fans across borders. In 2024, more than 80% of royalties were generated by listeners outside Egypt, including in countries like the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, India, and Brazil. Egyptian music was discovered over 480 million times by first-time listeners on Spotify that year, signaling a surge in global interest in local talent. Spotify data also reveals that the average year-on-year growth rate of global consumption of Egyptian music has reached nearly 60% since 2018 — the year Spotify launched in the Middle East and North Africa — highlighting the growing global reach of Egyptian music. Arabic-Language Music Gains Global Traction This international reach is part of a wider cultural trend. Arabic ranked among the fastest-growing languages on Spotify in 2024, joining Greek, Telugu, Turkish, and Polish. This growth reflects a rising appetite for regional sounds and supports the expanding influence of Arabic-language artists, with Egypt playing a central role in the narrative. Local Listening on the Rise While global discovery is accelerating, domestic streaming is also gaining momentum. Domestically, Egyptian music streams on Spotify grew by over 70% in E 2024, while local listening surged nearly 450% year-on-year since 2018. Notably, more than 80% of the tracks featured on Spotify Egypt's Daily Top 50 were by Egyptian artists, underscoring the strong connection between fans and homegrown music. Backing Artists Beyond the Stream Beyond global reach, a growing number of Spotify initiatives are helping Egyptian artists translate creative momentum into sustainable careers. Programs such as RADAR Arabia, EQUAL Arabia and playlists like Fresh Finds Arabia spotlight and elevate local talent, while tools like Spotify for Artists provide real-time insights, planning resources, and promotional support for artists and their teams. This combination of access, education, and targeted support reflects the heart of Spotify's mission: to give artists the opportunity to live off their art. Streaming Powers Regional Growth The launch of Loud & Clear in Egypt comes at a time of rapid transformation across the region. According to the IFPI Global Music Report, the Middle East and North Africa was the fastest-growing recorded music market in the world in 2024, with a 22.8% increase in revenue year-on-year. Streaming made up 99.5% of that growth, underscoring its role as the economic backbone of the modern music industry. As streaming continues to reshape the global music economy, Egyptian artists are turning opportunity into impact — reaching wider audiences and building lasting careers.
CairoScene
17-04-2025
- Health
- CairoScene
Saudi-Born Startup Kilow Launches Arabic-Language Weight Loss App
Saudi-Born Startup Kilow Launches Arabic-Language Weight Loss App Saudi health tech startup Kilow has officially launched its Arabic-language platform, offering a personalised, all-in-one digital weight loss solution tailored to local lifestyles. The app, now available across Saudi Arabia, merges smart health tracking, expert-led lifestyle coaching, and access to licensed medical care—including GLP-1-based weight loss medication, when appropriate. Kilow was founded by Fahed Al Essa, a four-time startup founder and digital health expert whose background spans biotech, public health, and clinical operations. Developed entirely in Saudi Arabia, the app is designed to reflect the specific habits, food cultures, and behavioural patterns of users in the Kingdom. 'This isn't just another weight loss app,' says Al Essa. 'It's built by people who understand the Saudi lifestyle and the health challenges we face. For me, Kilow is deeply personal—after years of struggling with my weight, I finally feel like I've found a solution that works, and I wanted to share that with others.' Users begin with a brief onboarding process and receive a free medical consultation. Approved participants can select flexible plans ranging from one to six months, with options that include home-delivered medication, lab testing kits, and ongoing tracking of nutrition, movement, and sleep. Beyond standard diet coaching, Kilow is grounded in science-backed, culturally relevant interventions. 'If you tell someone in the GCC to stop eating rice, they probably won't. But if you teach them how to eat rice better, that's where we specialize,' Al Essa adds. 'We don't want to overhaul your life. We give you small, practical tools—like having vinegar before your rice meal to reduce blood sugar spikes. Tiny changes. Big effect.' The launch comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is increasingly prioritising wellness and preventative care as part of Vision 2030. Kilow plans to expand regionally and is preparing to raise its first funding round in the coming weeks. Future features include AI-powered meal feedback, wearable integrations, and adaptive coaching tools based on biometric data. The company is also working on precision health modules that will incorporate genetic testing, hormonal profiling, and predictive health scoring to flag plateau phases before they occur.
