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Arab News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Hunna mentorship program hits right notes for women in MENA
RIYADH: The women-led music initiative, Hunna, has launched its 2025 mentorship program and workshop series. Now in its third year, the program connects women across the region with mentors, resources and networks to help them grow professionally. It has more than 120 members from Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and elsewhere. This year's program began in July, with six participants paired with professionals from various musical disciplines. They will each receive monthly one-on-one mentorship and tailored development plans as well as access to Hunna's wider programming. The culmination of their hard work will be a showcase at this year's XP Music Futures in December. Mentorship program manager Nadia Khan, who also founded the nongovernmental organization Women in Ctrl, said: 'This year's mentor-mentee pairings reflect the diversity of talent in the region and the global reach of the women guiding them. 'Having such inspirational and accomplished mentors means our mentees aren't just receiving guidance, they're learning directly from women who have carved their own paths in music, broken barriers and proven that it's possible to thrive while staying true to your vision.' This year's pairings are: Tunisia-based Chaima Soudani with Celine Hitti, head of artist services MENA at Believe; singer Nadine Lingawi (Fulana) with Emmy-nominated composer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Hannah Peel; Egyptian multi-instrumentalist and producer Martina Ashraf with Montreal-based experimental electronic artist Liliane Chlela; Saudi composer and pianist Nora Aljebrin with Nadin Al-Khalidi, lead vocalist of Tarabband; DJ and producer Lena Chercaoui with Saudi DJ and producer Cosmicat; and Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist Lina Sleibi with singer-songwriter and visual creative Lina Makoul. The pairings were chosen through an anonymized selection process led by Hunna committee members and former participants. 'Hunna is about creating a space of solidarity and community where women can grow in every part of the music industry,' Hitti said. Al-Khalidi said: 'I joined the Hunna mentorship program to share my journey and inspire others to tell their own stories through music.' Workshops are a core part of the program. The first, 'Introduction to Music Production,' will be held on Aug. 20 at Beast House in Riyadh. Monthly sessions through November will cover production, live performance, artist strategy and global positioning. They will be accessible to all members of the Hunna community. Tanya Awad, head of music and experience at XP Music Futures and MDLBeast Foundation, which leads the Hunna initiative, said: 'Our vision is clear: to see MENA women in every facet of the music industry.'
Campaign ME
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Hunna launches mentorship programme for Middle East's female music talent
Hunna, a women-led initiative dedicated to amplifying female talent across the MENA music landscape, has officially launched its 2025 Mentorship Programme and accompanying workshop series. Through a combination of one-on-one mentorship, community events and expert-led workshops, the 2025 programme aims to further equip women creatives with the resources, connections and visibility they need to thrive in an evolving music industry. The third edition of the initiative's flagship programme builds on Hunna's mission to professionalise, amplify and connect women in music, and leads into its annual community gathering at XP Music Futures, taking place December 4–6 in Riyadh. With more than 120 active members from countries including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, Hunna has grown into a network and platform for women in music across the region. The 2025 Hunna Mentorship Programme The 2025 Mentorship Programme launched in July with the announcement of six selected mentees from the MENA region and its diaspora, each matched with an established woman professional working across a range of music disciplines. The cohort will participate in the programme from July through December, receiving monthly individual mentorship sessions, tailored development plans, access to Hunna's wider programming, and the opportunity to present their work at the Hunna Gathering at XP Music Futures in December. This year's mentor-mentee pairings include: Chaima Soudani, a Tunisia-based music entrepreneur, mentored by Celine Hitti, Head of Artist Services MENA at Believe; Nadine Lingawi, known artistically as Fulana and recognised for her atmospheric electronic-pop soundscapes, working with Emmy-nominated composer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Hannah Peel; Egyptian multi-instrumentalist and producer Martina Ashraf being mentored by Montréal-based experimental electronic artist Liliane Chlela; Saudi composer and pianist Nora Aljebrin paired with Nadin Al Khalidi, a seasoned world music performer and lead vocalist of Tarabband; Lena Chercaoui, a DJ and producer weaving genre-defying rhythms to tell stories of identity and resistance, mentored by pioneering Saudi DJ and producer Cosmicat; Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist Lina Sleibi, known for bridging heritage and modernity, paired with singer-songwriter and visual creative Lina Makoul. The mentor/mentee cohort was selected through a rigorous, anonymised process led by the Hunna Committee — an intergenerational panel of industry professionals and past mentees who brought both strategic insight and lived experience to the review process. The process involved two stages: individual scoring of applications based on artistic potential, clarity of goals, and potential impact of the mentorship, followed by a panel discussion to determine the final cohort. Notable members of the committee included cultural strategist Sarah El Miniawy, artist manager and founder of Simsara Music; Christina Lazic, DJ, producer, and advocate for inclusion in electronic music; and Salam Kmeid, senior executive at Anghami and expert in music distribution across the MENA region. Former mentees Haya AlHejailan, Nazli Reda and Soumaya Laghiti also contributed to the process, ensuring that the committee's decisions reflected both institutional knowledge and the lived reality of navigating the region's creative industries. Workshops and community-building remain a core part of Hunna's programming in 2025. On 20 August, Hunna will host a dedicated Introduction to Music Production Workshop at Beast House in Riyadh. The workshop is scheduled Wednesday, August 20, hosted by Laughta and Cosmicat. A virtual masterclass titled 'Plan A Release,' led by Lina ElSahli of MDLBEAST Records, will follow on Wednesday, August 27, offering practical insights into preparing and executing a professional music release. Hunna's monthly workshops — running from July to November — bring in leading regional and international women to explore topics such as production, live performance, artist strategy, and global positioning. These sessions are open to all members of the Hunna community, reinforcing the initiative's commitment to accessibility and shared growth. October will mark another community milestone with a Listening Circle hosted in Marrakech, alongside a special dinner and music experience at Beast House in Riyadh. The year culminates in December 4-6 with the highly anticipated Hunna Gathering at XP Music Futures in Riyadh. This in-person convening — held during one of the region's most influential music conferences — offers space for mentors, mentees, alumni, and community members to reflect, connect and celebrate. For many in the Hunna network, the Gathering is the emotional heart of the programme: a rare moment to experience collective ambition, shared purpose, and face-to-face connection.
Broadcast Pro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Hunna launches 2025 Mentorship Programme for female Saudi musicians
From July to November, monthly workshops will feature leading regional and international women sharing insights on production, live performance, artist strategy and global positioning. Hunna, a women-led initiative dedicated to championing female talent across the MENA music scene, has launched its 2025 Mentorship Programme and workshop series in Saudi Arabia. The initiative will connect emerging female artists with established industry mentors while hosting workshops and community events across the region in the lead-up to XP Music Futures in Riyadh from December 4 to 6, according to a report by Al Arabiya English. Now in its third edition, the flagship programme builds on Hunna's mission to professionalise, amplify and connect women in music. The network, which has more than 120 active members from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and beyond, aims to equip women creatives with the resources, connections, and visibility needed to succeed in an evolving global music industry. Six mentees from the MENA region and its diaspora were selected through a rigorous, anonymised process led by the Hunna Committee, a diverse panel of industry professionals and past mentees. The 2025 mentor-mentee pairings include Tunisian music entrepreneur Chaima Soudani with Celine Hitti, Head of Artist Services MENA at Believe; electronic-pop artist Nadine Lingawi ('Fulana') with Emmy-nominated composer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Hannah Peel; Egyptian multi-instrumentalist Martina Ashraf with Montréal-based experimental electronic artist Liliane Chlela; Saudi composer and pianist Nora Aljebrin with Tarabband lead vocalist Nadin Al Khalidi; DJ and producer Lena Chercaoui with Saudi DJ pioneer Cosmicat; and Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist Lina Sleibi with singer-songwriter and visual creative Lina Makoul. Named after the Arabic plural for 'she,' Hunna continues to work at the intersection of cultural advocacy, professional development and community care, grounded in the values of professionalisation, amplification and collaboration. The 2025 programme begins with the 'Introduction to Music Production Workshop' on August 20 at Beast House in Riyadh, hosted by Laughta and Cosmicat. A virtual masterclass titled 'Plan A Release,' led by Lina ElSahli of MDLBeast Records, will follow on August 27, offering practical guidance on preparing and executing a professional music release. From July to November, monthly workshops will bring in leading regional and international women to cover topics including production, live performance, artist strategy and global positioning. These sessions are open to all Hunna community members, underscoring the initiative's commitment to accessibility and shared growth. The programme will culminate with the Hunna Gathering at XP Music Futures in Riyadh from December 4 to 6, described as the 'emotional heart' of the initiative, a space for mentors, mentees, alumni and the broader community to connect, reflect and celebrate. XP Music Futures, now in its fourth year, is organised by MDLBeast and will be held at Riyadh's JAX District. The three-day event will feature a diverse lineup of global and regional speakers, addressing topics such as maintaining grassroots culture, the role of AI in the creative economy and using music for climate action. The conference blends panels, workshops, live performances, and immersive experiences, reinforcing its position as a leading platform for the region's music industry.
Vogue Arabia
06-06-2025
- Business
- Vogue Arabia
Breaking Records: Reflections From MDLBEAST's Ramadan Alharatani
Back in the 90s during the early days of satellite TV, Ramadan Alharatani would record mixtapes when music debuted on MTV, and sell them at gift shops. Then, when he went to high school in the United States, he would return to Saudi during holidays with suitcases full of CDs that hadn't yet reached local stores, reselling them at his uncle's record shop. He never imagined that his personal passion for music would evolve into something more. 'It's still hard to grasp that what was once an underground music scene in my hometown, Jeddah, would evolve to a thriving music scene globally,' says Alharatani, who, as CEO of MDLBEAST, has helped elevate the local industry to global prominence. It all started with Soundstorm – a milestone for musical performances in the Kingdom. 'It was the first public event where men and women could be in the same space, enjoying live music together at scale. It marked a cultural shift and opened the door for a more inclusive music entertainment offering,' he reflects. In 2021, the event saw 700,000 attendees over four days, becoming a large-scale, multi-genre festival attracting visitors from Saudi and beyond. MDLBEAST's other flagship events – XP Music Futures, Balad Beast and A Thousand and One – spotlight talent while also supporting the next generation of Saudi artists through workshops and networking opportunities. And, its record label helps emerging Saudi talent release original music and reach global audiences. The platform has brought international stars to Saudi's sands too, from Eminem and Metallica to Camila Cabello and David Guetta. 'One thing global performers consistently highlight is the electric energy of Saudi crowds, who are young, passionate and deeply engaged,' shares Alharatani. Photo: MDLBEAST MDLBEAST is elevating the nation's offering of music festivals and events, and it's doing so within a cultural framework. At Keinemusik in AlUla for instance, the programme incorporated prayer breaks. 'This balance of global and local is key to our identity,' says Alharatani. 'Ultimately, music creates a sense of community. On the dance floor, people from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries come together, united by a shared love for music. It's in those moments that we focus on what connects us, not what separates us. With lights that illuminate the desert sky, and added effects from drones, pyrotechnics, lasers and massive LED screens, the festival has made international headlines as a 'Saudi rave'. This year, MDLBEAST plans to inaugurate a HiFi listening bar in Jeddah's historic Al-Balad as well as a members-only pool club concept, in addition to ongoing Esports World Cup and Formula 1 events. The momentum is only escalating, according to Alharatani: 'We're excited to keep growing, breaking Arab artists internationally, expanding our reach and working with partners to continue building a creative and subcultural ecosystem for the next generation.'
Identity
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Identity
XCHANGE Doha by the MDLBEAST Foundation Marks a Milestone for Doha's Growing Music Scene
The MDLBEAST Foundation, in partnership with XP Music Futures and ONE DAY AT A TIME (ODAAT), is proud to announce the success of XCHANGE Doha, held on May 1st, 2025, at BIBO. The event brought together Doha's music community for a day of connection, discovery, and growth, focusing on the city's evolving music scene. The event kicked off with a panel discussion titled 'Shaping Doha's Music Narrative,' moderated by Saadi Al Suwaidi. The panel featured key figures like Dimitri Khater, CEO of Hide, and rising artist Sahera, alongside ODAAT's Joe Abou Rjaili. They discussed the opportunities and challenges facing Doha's music industry, highlighting the potential for growth and the need for stronger community support. Dimitri Khater noted, 'Doha has changed a lot in the past years. It's a diverse city, which creates opportunities for the country to introduce different cultures and music to the local market.' His insights emphasized how the city's evolving identity offers a fertile ground for musical innovation and cultural exchange. Joe Abou Rjaili echoed this sentiment, adding, 'We're creating a space for local DJs and producers while tapping into niche communities, giving them a chance to express themselves through music. It's all about building something underground—we meet new artists, DJs, and producers every week.' His perspective highlighted the importance of grassroots efforts in fostering an inclusive and dynamic music scene. The evening continued with an interactive workshop, providing participants with valuable insights and skills to enhance their music careers. The event concluded with an unforgettable XP Nite, featuring live performances by Sahera, Rana, Saadi Al Suwaidi, and DJ sets from Elios and AMR, capturing the city's vibrant music culture.
