Apple Music is helping emerging artists from the Middle East reach a global audience through a playlist it has just launched on its platform.
Showcasing a wide range of genres and styles, the New Artists: Middle East playlist shines the spotlight on up-and-coming acts from the region.
The playlist opens with My Playstation – a synth-driven trap song with a booming downbeat and flittering hi-hats – by Emirati influencer Ahmed Al Nasheet and Bahraini rapper Flipperachi.
"I am so honoured to be one of the first artists featured in the New Artists: Middle East playlist," Al Nasheet, who is also one of the region's most active video game commentators, said.
"It feels good to represent our region, which is something I have always tried to do, be it from video gaming to acting to creating content and now music.”
Another song featured on the playlist is Bea Kadri's Right For Ya, a song that combines the Lebanese singer's soulful and dreamy vocals with a glitching electronic beat.
"I discover a lot of new artists and listen to my favourites on Apple Music," Kadri said. "So I can only hope that by exposing my music to new listeners on the platform, it speaks to them in a special type of way and sets the mood for certain moments of their days."
Kadri went on to say that there are major shifts happening in the regional music scene, with more artists breaking boundaries, experimenting with sounds and releasing their work “fearlessly and confidently.”
“I’m very excited to discover more talent and amazing music through the playlist,” she said.
Saudi artists Kali-B and Ntitled's track I Got That from their new album Can I Get a Minute? also appears on the playlist. The duo said platforms like Apple Music allow talent to thrive and reach people all around the world. "We still have a long way to go," they said. "But this kind of support is exactly what is needed for talent to prosper."
The playlist currently has 38 songs but it won’t stay that way. The playlist will keep growing over time as new artists from the region release music.
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
