With the Arabic music industry gaining further momentum in 2025, the year ahead is shaping up as a pivotal one for the region’s global reach.
According to Spotify’s 2025 end-of-year data report, Wrapped, streaming audiences continued to grow across the Middle East and North Africa, while listening habits became more eclectic.
To understand what those shifts might signal for this year – and how artists can position themselves to ride the next wave – The National speaks with Mark Abou Jaoude, Spotify’s head of music for Mena, about five developments he believes will shape the Arabic music calendar in 2026.
1. There will be more interesting collaborations
One of the clearest industry signals to emerge in 2025 was the rapid rise of genre-blending collaborations across the Arab world, says Abou Jaoude.
Once treated as side projects or novelty releases, collaborations are now being pursued deliberately by artists looking to expand their reach and audience b
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