Billboard Arabia Music Awards to Launch as Part of the Inaugural Riyadh Music Week

Riyadh is gearing up for a transformative moment in its cultural history with the launch of Riyadh Music Week, a landmark initiative by the Music Commission in partnership with MDLBEAST and SRMG.

Spanning Dec. 5-14, 2024, the spotlight shines bright on the first-ever Billboard Arabia Music Awards (BBAMAs)—the pinnacle of Riyadh Music Week and a historic moment for the regional music industry.

Taking place across multiple venues in Riyadh, the week kicks off on Dec. 5 with the fourth edition of XP Music Futures, featuring workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities along with an evening program driven by regional party brands, promoters and record labels, showcasing emerging talents from MENA and beyond. On Dec. 8, the Global Music Makers Summit marks its first edition, where it will bring together leaders and global policy makers from the music sector’s international bodies.

The week-long event will also host the Music Cities Convention and Awards, taking place Dec. 8-10, bringing this prestigious global event to the Arab world for the first time. This achievement highlights Riyadh’s growing reputation as a leading global destination for music and arts, with the Convention focusing on the pivotal role of music in urban development and its potential to shape the future of modern cities.

With the BBAMAs taking place on Dec. 11, the ceremony aims to not only celebrate artistic excellence but also expand upon the growing global Billboard network. The Billboard Arabia Music Awards represents a regional first, adopting a pioneering approach entirely based on listener opinions and data. This year’s awards will honor over 40 categories, celebrating achievements such as Top Artist, Song of the Year, Best in Dialect Charts and Top New Artist of the Year, among other standout recognitions.

Riyadh Music Week will close out with the MDLBEAST’s groundbreaking Soundstorm music festival, the loudest in the region, mixing international superstars on the same stages as homegrown local and up-and-coming artists. The week will also host a range of fringe events and performances by various artists taking place across several venues throughout the city.

As Riyadh Music Week unfolds, the series of events stand as a testament to the region’s vibrant music scene and its aspirations as a burgeoning global music hub.