Riyadh witnessed a defining moment for the regional music landscape last night as Billboard Arabia unveiled its inaugural Power Players list, honouring the individuals and institutions creating the new era of Arab music.
Held in the Saudi capital, the evening gathered pioneering executives, influential decision-makers, and global guests for a ceremony that felt less like an awards night and more like a cultural turning point. For the first time, the region’s creative architects, those who build, fund, strategise, and champion its musical output, were recognised at scale on an international platform.
A Historic First for the Arab Music Ecosystem
The Billboard Arabia Power Players list, to be published on both BillboardArabia.com and billboard.com, highlights more than 100 honourees across 45 companies, spanning industry veterans, disruptive innovators, and rising executive talent.
This inaugural edition reads like a map of the region’s musical evolution with legends who laid the foundations for Arab music’s modern identity and the strategists steering its digital, global future.
Among the distinguished veterans recognised were Salim El Hindi, Mohsen Gaber, Nasser Mahros, Ghassan Chartouni, Patrick Boulous, Rami Mohsen, and Ahmed AlNureni, each representing a generation of leadership that has moulded the industry’s creative and commercial heritage.
Regional Leaders With Global Vision
The list also honours the forces driving transformation today:
Talal AlBahiti, Mohammad Zaki Hassanein, HRH Khaled Bin Mansour Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Eddy Maroun, Taymoor Marmarchi, and a growing circle of decision-makers.
At the same time, Billboard Arabia spotlighted emerging executives such as Rawan AlDabbas, Marek Razouk, Anour Ait Taleb, Assem Tag, and Alaa Makki, signalling a generational shift powered by fresh ideas, digital fluency, and cross-border collaboration.
Global players driving meaningful momentum in the Middle East, including Ghazi, Gavin Myall, and James Craven, were also acknowledged.
Recognition Awards: Celebrating Distinction and Disruption
In his keynote address, Rami Zeidan, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia, announced three major recognition awards given to leaders who have significantly impacted the region’s creative ecosystem:
- Outstanding Contribution Award – Paul Pacifico
For advancing Saudi Arabia’s music sector and elevating the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir into a cultural bridge between the Kingdom and the world. - Ambassador of Music Futures Award – Ramadan Alharatani (MDLBEAST)
Honouring his leadership in building MDLBEAST into one of the region’s most influential cultural engines, spanning Soundstorm, XP Music Futures, XP Music Foundation, and MDLBEAST Records. - Creative Force Award – Ahmed Saad
Presented during a surprise appearance, recognising his prolific year: three albums, chart-leading hits, international touring, the launch of Bait El Saad, and his role on The Voice.
Entering a New Phase of Global Visibility
This inaugural Power Players edition signifies more than recognition. It marks the formal documentation of a region whose creative industries, long driven by talent, passion, and heritage, are now entering a new phase of global visibility and structural development.
Billboard Arabia is mapping and acknowledging an evolution that provides the industry with what it has long deserved: a platform that captures its scale, honours its leaders, and prepares the world for what comes next.
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