XP KEY THEMES

Top Themes

“In this scene, there are so many people more open to learning and open to hearing, and they come with energy. And a lot of taboos we’ve had in the industry are not available here. So this is the time to make your own rules. The genre we’re in now, the region we’re in now, it’s up to us to create.”

1. DEVELOP MUSIC ECOSYSTEMS

Grant systems, funding, studios, rehearsal spaces, and multiple small to midsize venues are integral components for a music ecosystem to blossom. Advocates & Advisors (A&A) board member and founding member of the Arab voice in Hip-Hop, Narcy, said during the Arab Wave 2.0 panel, ”If you have all of those and rotate through them, then you have a culture you start creating.”

2. CREATING AUTHENTIC COMMUNITIES

The first step to growing a meaningful community is to curate online and offline spaces for groups with shared values. Combining parties, events, radio, podcasts, and social media ensures a local foundation with a global reach. Ghazi Shami noted, “TikTok is amazing. Instagram is amazing. But there’s something to be said about touching people directly.”

3. LEADING THROUGH EDUCATION

XP Music Futures encouraged attendees to keep learning multiple facets of the music industry, such as legal contracts, touring, labels, distribution, NFTs, and CMS (Content Management System). Technological advancements are propelling Saudi Arabia to the forefront of the metaverse. Consequently, increased music and tech industry education will benefit the region and sustain its growth.

4. DEFINING A UNIQUE IDENTITY

Supporting artists to share perspectives on their terms, be it embracing their mixed heritage, regional identity, or singing in multiple languages—authenticity will encourage a sound that comes from a place of sincerity.

5. COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Encouraging cross-discipline collaboration between artists, agencies, brands, and music industry professionals helps to grow networks, build trust, learn from one another, expand possibilities and solve problems.