MUSIC NATION, SOUNDEXCHANGE TEAM IN UAE

Music Nation and SoundExchange have teamed for a partnership in the UAE that will allow the former to leverage the latter's technology, data and industry experience to collect neighboring-rights royalties, those paid to the owners of sound recordings, producers and artists for the public performance of their music.

The pact is particularly timely as the IFPI has reported that global recorded-music revenue in 2024 saw remarkable growth for a 10th consecutive year, including a 22.8% increase in MENA (Middle East and North Africa), the fastest-growing region in the world.

Said Music Nation Chairwoman Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, “This partnership marks a significant milestone for recording artists and sound-recording rightsholders in the UAE and globally. By comprehensively and accurately collecting and distributing neighboring-rights royalties, Music Nation will help ensure the continued growth of the region’s vibrant music ecosystem.”

SoundExchange President/CEO Michael Huppe added, “We are honored to put our extensive neighboring-rights-management experience and state-of-the-art systems to work in the UAE. SoundExchange is proud to partner with Music Nation on this exciting project, and to help the Emirati creator community realize the true power and value of their music.”

After very little research, HITS has found that we’re as unwelcome in the UAE as we are in most countries.