Latest news with #MarkAbouJaoude
Broadcast Pro
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Egyptian artists ride streaming wave to global success, Spotify report reveals
The report highlights a fivefold increase in royalties earned by Egyptian artists on Spotify since 2022, with a 100% jump from 2023 to 2024 alone. Egyptian musicians are making major strides on the global stage, driven by the power of streaming. To mark World Music Day, Spotify has released its Loud & Clear report in Egypt for the first time, offering insight into how local artists are benefiting from the rise of digital platforms and expanding their international reach. 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. Mark Abou Jaoude, Spotify's Head of Music for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, said: '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.' Independent artists are leading the charge. In 2024, over 90% of royalties generated by Egyptian artists came from those working independently or with indie labels — one of the highest rates globally. Genres like Mahraganat and Egyptian hip-hop, once considered underground, now dominate local streaming charts and shape the evolving identity of Egyptian music. Internationally, Egyptian artists are finding eager audiences. In 2024, more than 80% of the royalties earned came from outside Egypt, with significant traction in countries like the US, UK, Germany, Brazil, India and Indonesia. Egyptian music was discovered more than 480m times by first-time listeners on Spotify that year, reflecting a booming global interest in Arabic-language sounds. The momentum is also local. Within Egypt, Spotify streams of Egyptian music jumped more than 70% in 2024. Since Spotify's regional launch in 2018, domestic listening has grown nearly 450%, with over 80% of tracks in Spotify Egypt's Daily Top 50 chart created by Egyptian artists. Spotify's report also notes the growing global presence of Arabic as a musical language, ranking it among the fastest-growing languages on the platform in 2024. This rise supports Egypt's role at the forefront of Arabic music's global evolution. In addition to streaming exposure, Spotify is bolstering artist development through initiatives like RADAR Arabia, EQUAL Arabia, and curated playlists such as Fresh Finds Arabia. These programmes help spotlight emerging talent while providing tools and analytics through Spotify for Artists to support long-term growth. The report arrives amid a music boom across the Middle East and North Africa, with the region named the fastest-growing recorded music market in the world in 2024, according to the IFPI Global Music Report. Streaming was the primary growth engine, accounting for 99.5% of regional revenue. With rising global demand and increased support for creators, Egyptian artists are turning digital momentum into cultural influence — and building sustainable careers in the process.
Identity
16 hours 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.
Gulf Business
30-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Spotify's Mark Abou Jaoude on shaping culture and championing regional talent
Image: Gulf Business In a region pulsing with cultural energy and creative momentum, Mark Abou Jaoude is one of the most influential forces shaping the future of music. By day, he leads Spotify's music strategy as Head of Music for MENAP and it's his deep love for the culture that fuels everything he does. With over a decade in the industry, Abou Jaoude's approach is grounded in cultural insight, strategic intuition, and a constant push to break boundaries. 'Being exceptional means creating innovative, authentic, and impactful moves that resonate deeply with artists, fans, and communities,' he shares. His career has been shaped by bold decisions and a deep ear for sounds bubbling just beneath the mainstream a reflection of his ability to spot cultural shifts before they emerge. Abou Jaoude's process blends instinct with experience. He immerses himself in the region's grassroots music scenes, stays connected to youth culture, and has a keen understanding of evolving tastes. Yet his vision extends beyond trends. His mission is to help contribute to a more connected, sustainable music ecosystem across the region. 'Music across the region is evolving and growing quickly, with more people discovering and sharing sounds than ever before,' he says. 'But with that momentum comes a responsibility to build stronger support systems, invest in education, and create pathways that help artists grow long-term.' Abou Jaoude's passion for music remains the driving force behind his creativity, and leadership style. My curiosity about music has really inspired my leadership style,' he shares. It's that curiosity that pushes him to keep learning, seek out working with passionate people, and stay grounded in a mindset of growth and discovery. 'I don't mind getting messy or making mistakes. That's where growth happens,' he says. It's no surprise, that a vehicle like the But the QX80 offers more than just exceptional audio. From its refined interior and intuitive technology to its spacious design, the entire experience aligns with how Abou Jaoude moves through the world. 'It's built with attention to detail, comfortable, thoughtful, and powerful. Whether I'm heading to a strategy session or simply taking a moment to reset, it gives me the space to think and the sound to feel.' As a creative leader at the intersection of culture, innovation, and technology, Abou Jaoude sees a strong alignment between INFINITI's values—human, daring, and forward and the qualities today's creatives need to thrive. 'Staying true to yourself, being brave enough to try something new, and always looking ahead that's what defines both creative impact and strong leadership.' His advice to future industry leaders is direct and empowering: 'Know what you want to achieve. All you need is clarity, consistency, and the courage to take risks.' For Abou Jaoude, success is as much about mindset as it is about talent. He champions a balance between vision and execution, always staying grounded in purpose and committed to work that's both creatively and culturally meaningful. Abou Jaoude continues to drive the region's music industry forward, not by following formulas, but by listening deeply, acting boldly, and always staying in tune with what's possible.
Arab News
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Majority of listeners tune in to Spotify during Ramadan's pre-dawn hours
DUBAI: Streaming and content consumption habits change as audiences adjust to different routines during Ramadan, according to new data from Spotify. This year saw a return of the streaming platform's Ramadan Hub, with a specially curated selection of playlists, music and podcasts. Based on an analysis of customers' streaming habits during the first two weeks of Ramadan, Spotify found the majority of Saudi listeners tune in at around 3 a.m. Spiritual, peaceful and relaxing audio is the most popular choice, with listenership of such playlists increasing by more than 3,000 percent. 'With the Ramadan Hub, Spotify continues to be a companion for every moment of the holy month,' Mark Abou Jaoude, the platform's head of music for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan told Arab News. The playlist with the highest increase in listeners (3,750 percent) was 'Duaa,' which features prayers and supplications. Similarly, 'Ramadaniyat,' which features traditional Islamic songs, saw a streaming rise of almost 1,890 percent. Users' love of TV dramas is reflected in their streaming habits with the 'Titrat Ramadan' playlist recording a 2,900 percent increase in streams. This features songs that appear in popular shows at this time, known as 'titrat' and traditionally sung by Arab pop stars. Another playlist gaining popularity is 'Cooking Time,' which saw the number of streams increase by 743 percent. This serves as a cooking companion and features songs such as Nancy Ajram's 'Aam Betaala' Feek,' Marwan Khoury's 'Kel El Qasayed' and Amr Diab's 'El Kalam Leek.' 'Over the past two years, local podcast listening hours have increased by nearly 90 percent (on Spotify),' Abou Jaoude said. Spotify has also seen significant increases in the popularity of local podcasts such as 'Finjan with Abdul Rahman Abu Maleh' and 'Sawalif Business.' Users are also listening to lighter entertainment content, such as 'Kanabat al-Sabt,' 'Saturday Couch' and the 'Abjoorah Podcast,' as well as religious shows like the 'Omam Podcast,' which puts a modern spin on the stories of prophets. 'These shifting listening habits reflect the growing trend of audio in setting the atmosphere for these shared experiences during the month,' said Abou Jade. 'It's great to see how our Saudi listeners use Spotify to enrich their Ramadan journey and deepen their connections during this meaningful time.'
