Billboard Arabia last night celebrated their inaugural Power Players list, bringing together leading figures from across the region’s music sector with global and regional guests for a milestone celebration of the people shaping the Arab world’s musical future.
The evening marked the debut of Billboard Arabia Power Players, the first initiative of its kind dedicated to recognizing the executives, innovators, and creative forces whose work has defined the region’s music landscape across generations. More than 100 honorees representing over 45 companies have been selected for the 2025 list, which will be published on BillboardArabia.com and billboard.com
During the event, Billboard Arabia paid tribute to key executives for their unique contribution to the music sector.
The list of honorees covers veterans of the music industry such as Salim El Hindi, Mohsen Gaber, Nasser Mahros, Ghassan Chartouni, Patrick Boulous, Rami Mohsen, and Ahmed AlNureni, in addition to key leaders who have in recent years brought forward a disruptive force in the expansion of the music industry such as Talal AlBahiti, Mohammad Zaki Hassanein, and HRH. Khaled Bin Mansour Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Eddy Maroun, and Taymoor Marmarchi also celebrating key and young innovators of the young executives like Rawan AlDabbas, Marek Razouk, Anour Ait Taleb, Assem Tag, and Alaa Makki. With global players doing big moves in MENA like Ghazi, Gavin Myall, James Craven and much more.
During the event, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia, Rami Zeidan, gave a key note speech, announcing the first Billboard Arabia Power Players honoree list in addition to three recognition awards for Power Players who have disrupted the music industry. These included CEO of Saudi Music Commission Paul Pacifico winning the Outstanding Contribution Award for his development of the music sector in Saudi Arabia and his success in creating a culture bridge with the world through The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir. Ramadan Alharatani CEO of MDLBeast received the Ambasador of Music Futures Award for the accomplishments of MDLBeasts in Soundstorm, XP Music Futures, XP Music Foundation, and MDLBeast records.
In a surprise appearance, Billboard Arabia also recognized Ahmed Saad with the Creative Force Award to celebrate Ahmed’s 2025 diverse creative energy from leading chart positions, launching 3 albums, touring global markets, launching a TV show, Bait El Saad and his latest participation in The Voice.
Billboard Power Players Arabia marks a significant step in documenting and celebrating the Arab music industry at scale. By highlighting both the foundational leaders and emerging executives transforming the ecosystem, this inaugural edition provides an unprecedented snapshot of the region’s creative and commercial evolution.