Saudi Arabia is set to host the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards for the first time.

Saudi Arabia’s Billboard Arabia is preparing to host the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards (BBAMAs) in Riyadh, aimed at honoring exceptional Arab musical talent from throughout the region.

Scheduled for December 11, 2024, the awards ceremony will be held at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh. This event will be a highlight of the first-ever Riyadh Music Week, a new initiative designed to unite the global music community through a series of music festivals and events.

Billboard Arabia was established to discover and showcase new and emerging Arab musical talent. The upcoming Billboard Arabia Music Awards (BBAMAs) will celebrate a year of significant music milestones and achievements, including the debut of its flagship charts and various initiatives.

The BBAMAs will recognize both pioneering and up-and-coming artists across numerous categories such as Top Artist, Female Artist, Male Artist, and the year’s top songs, among others. Winners will be determined based on their rankings on Billboard Arabia’s main charts, which include the Hot 100, Artist 100, and newly introduced dialect and genre-specific charts such as Khaleeji, Egyptian, Levantine, Magharebi, Arabic Hip-Hop, Arabic Indie, Shelat, and Mahraganat.

Billboard Arabia’s charts adhere to the standards established by the global Billboard brand over the past eighty years.

In addition to honoring the top artists and music of the year, the BBAMAs will highlight Saudi Arabia and the region’s diverse talent through live performances and “surprise collaborations” featuring both established and emerging artists. The event will also feature performances by some of the biggest international stars.

Jomana R. Alrashid, CEO of SRMG, stated that Billboard Arabia has quickly become a leading music platform reflecting the tastes of millions worldwide. Supported by the Saudi Music Commission and SRMG’s partnership with Billboard, the platform aims to elevate Arab artists and promote the region’s vibrant music industry to a global audience.

Rami M. Zeidan, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia, emphasized that Riyadh is the ideal place to celebrate Arab artists’ achievements, showcasing the richness of Arab music through live performances. He noted that the BBAMAs aim to give Arab artists and their music the recognition they deserve both regionally and internationally.

Mike Van, President of Billboard, expressed pride in extending the Billboard Music Awards tradition to Riyadh, highlighting the show’s role in celebrating musical talent and chart success. He noted that the BBAMAs will not only recognize commercial achievements but also the impact of Arab artists on the music industry, applying a metric-based approach to spotlight those who have resonated most with global music fans.

Since its launch in June 2023, Billboard Arabia has introduced several notable Billboard franchises to the MENA region, including Billboard Arabia News, Women in Music, and Charts. Details on performances and ticket availability will be announced in the near future.