3 days ago
Hunna unveils 2025 mentorship program in Saudi Arabia for female music talent
Hunna, a women-led initiative championing female talent across the MENA music scene, has launched its 2025 Mentorship Program and workshop series in Saudi Arabia.
The program will pair emerging artists with established female mentors while hosting workshops and community events across the region, leading up to XP Music Futures in Riyadh from December 4 to 6.
In a statement shared with Al Arabiya English, Hunna said the third edition of its flagship program 'builds on Hunna's mission to professionalize, amplify, and connect women in music.'
With more than 120 active members from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, Hunna has become a vital platform for women in music.
The initiative aims to 'equip women creatives with the resources, connections, and visibility they need to thrive in an evolving global music industry,' the statement said.
Six mentees from the MENA region and its diaspora were selected through a rigorous, anonymized process led by the Hunna Committee – an intergenerational panel of industry professionals and past mentees.
This year's mentor-mentee pairings are:
Chaima Soudani (Tunisia-based music entrepreneur) with Celine Hitti, Head of Artist Services MENA at Believe
Nadine Lingawi ('Fulana,' electronic-pop artist) with Hannah Peel, Emmy-nominated composer and BBC Radio 3 presenter
Martina Ashraf (Egyptian multi-instrumentalist and producer) with Liliane Chlela, Montréal-based experimental electronic artist
Nora Aljebrin (Saudi composer and pianist) with Nadin Al Khalidi, lead vocalist of Tarabband
Lena Chercaoui (DJ and producer) with Cosmicat, pioneering Saudi DJ and producer
Lina Sleibi (Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist) with Lina Makoul, singer-songwriter and visual creative
Named after the Arabic plural of 'she,' Hunna said it continues to operate at the intersection of cultural advocacy, professional development, and community care, anchored in the values of 'professionalization, amplification, and collaboration.'
The first workshop of the 2025 program, 'Introduction to Music Production Workshop', will be held on August 20 at Beast House in Riyadh – hosted by Laughta and Cosmicat.
A virtual masterclass, 'Plan A Release', led by Lina ElSahli of MDLBEAST Records, will follow on August 27, offering 'practical insights into preparing and executing a professional music release,' Hunna said.
From July to November, monthly workshops will 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, the initiative said, underscoring its 'commitment to accessibility and shared growth.'
The program will conclude with the Hunna Gathering at XP Music Futures in Riyadh from December 4–6, described by the organization as 'the emotional heart of the program' – a space for mentors, mentees, alumni, and community members to reflect, connect, and celebrate.
XP Music Futures, the three-day music conference organized by MDLBEAST, has been making waves in the MENA region for what will be its fourth year.
The event, set to be held at Riyadh's JAX District this December, offers a dynamic program that spans both day and night, featuring hundreds of both global and local speakers.
Sessions at XP Music Futures address critical topics such as 'Maintaining a Thriving Grassroots Culture,' 'Powering The Creative Economy with AI,' and 'Turning up for a Sustainable Future: Music for Climate Action.'
This regional-first event encompasses panels, workshops, live acts, retail experiences, and more.
