Apple Music is helping emerging artists from the Middle East reach a global audience through a playlist it has just launched on its platform.
Showcasing a wide range of genres and styles, the New Artists: Middle East playlist shines the spotlight on up-and-coming acts from the region.
The playlist opens with My Playstation – a synth-driven trap song with a booming downbeat and flittering hi-hats – by Emirati influencer Ahmed Al Nasheet and Bahraini rapper Flipperachi.
"I am so honoured to be one of the first artists featured in the New Artists: Middle East playlist," Al Nasheet, who is also one of the region's most active video game commentators, said.
"It feels good to represent our region, which is something I have always tried to do, be it from video gaming to acting to creating content and now music.”
Another song featured on the playlist is Bea Kadri's Right For Ya, a song that combines the Lebanese singer's soulful and dreamy vocals with a glitching electronic beat.
"I discover a lot of new artists and listen to my favourites on Apple Music," Kadri said. "So I can only hope that by exposing my music to new listeners on the platform, it speaks to them in a special type of way and sets the mood for certain moments of their days."
Big up @applemusic for really showing love to “Right For Ya”!!!🍎🥰 You can now find it on their playlists “New Music Daily”, “Mostakella” & “#ArabHop” 🤍 - link in bio.#applemusic #newmusicdaily #Mostakella #apple #music pic.twitter.com/0Gfr7gXyRf
— Bea Kadri (@BeaKadri) November 10, 2020
Kadri went on to say that there are major shifts happening in the regional music scene, with more artists breaking boundaries, experimenting with sounds and releasing their work “fearlessly and confidently.”
“I’m very excited to discover more talent and amazing music through the playlist,” she said.
Saudi artists Kali-B and Ntitled's track I Got That from their new album Can I Get a Minute? also appears on the playlist. The duo said platforms like Apple Music allow talent to thrive and reach people all around the world. "We still have a long way to go," they said. "But this kind of support is exactly what is needed for talent to prosper."
The playlist currently has 38 songs but it won’t stay that way. The playlist will keep growing over time as new artists from the region release music.
