Dubai, 20 November 2025 – The second edition of Beatport Presents IMS Dubai concluded last week with a sold-out audience and a 55% increase in attendance year-on-year, drawing delegates and speakers from 47 countries. Held at 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central, the summit delivered 48 sessions across two stages, reinforcing the region’s weight and influence in the global electronic music industry.
Hosted by Pete Tong and Nooriyah, the summit presented a packed agenda across two days, with speakers including industry leaders from Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, Sony Music Publishing, MDLBEAST, IFPI and SceneNoise who were joined by respected artists including Nicole Moudaber, HUGEL, Bedouin, Rolbac, DJ Habibeats and Josh Baker.
A recurring theme across the program was the shift from individual scenes to a coordinated regional industry.
As Mohamed Elsokkary of MDLBEAST Records said, “Before, we just had parties and self-releases. Now there is an industry being built… collaboration, infrastructure and vision all matter, because this is the foundation for what comes next.”
In ‘Get Played, Get Paid Part 2: Royalties in the Middle East presented by AFEM: Association for Electronic Music, Finlay Johnson, CEO of AFEM, highlighted a key opportunity for the region: “We can create a fair and equitable structure that doesn’t carry the baggage of older markets… an ecosystem that reflects the future, not the past.”
Music Nation Chairwoman Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak emphasised the need to convert creative momentum into sustainable value in an inspiring keynote address: “If we want a thriving creative economy, we need to make sure applause turns into equity and passion turns into prosperity.”
This year’s program examined cultural, economic and artistic shifts across the region, with key sessions including:
A recurring theme across the program was the shift from individual scenes to a coordinated regional industry.
As Mohamed Elsokkary of MDLBEAST Records said, “Before, we just had parties and self-releases. Now there is an industry being built… collaboration, infrastructure and vision all matter, because this is the foundation for what comes next.”
In ‘Get Played, Get Paid Part 2: Royalties in the Middle East presented by AFEM: Association for Electronic Music, Finlay Johnson, CEO of AFEM, highlighted a key opportunity for the region: “We can create a fair and equitable structure that doesn’t carry the baggage of older markets… an ecosystem that reflects the future, not the past.”
Music Nation Chairwoman Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak emphasised the need to convert creative momentum into sustainable value in an inspiring keynote address: “If we want a thriving creative economy, we need to make sure applause turns into equity and passion turns into prosperity.”
This year’s program examined cultural, economic and artistic shifts across the region, with key sessions including:
- The Past, Present & Future of MENA Nightlife presented by SceneNoise
- Going Against the Grain: Trailblazers of SWANA’s Underground Sound
- No Scene Without the Scene: Investing in Grassroots for Long-Term Impact
- Market Focus: Lebanon
- Diaspora: Arab Music Around the World
- The Habibification of House Music presented by Dazed ME
- AI in Music Production: Promise vs Pitfalls presented by Beatport Connect
Across these discussions, the conversation consistently returned to agency, ownership and cultural authorship. Writer Mai El Mokadem summarised this shift:
“Representation used to be the goal. Now it feels like we’re asking for something deeper; agency, ownership, infrastructure.”
Artist DJ Habibeats captured the change happening on the ground: “There are so many more Arabs in music, in positions of power - booking, labels, DJs, producers, artists - more than I’ve ever seen before.”
Artist Misty spoke to both the responsibility and the reality of this moment: “When you go out into the world, you carry your community with you. And when you return home, you empower that community with the knowledge you gained.” Later adding, “We’re not part of Arab Artists Rising. We have risen.” A powerful message and a key theme emerging throughout the summit.
The summit continued into evenings across the city, with an official pre-party at Reunion featuring Nicole Moudaber, events at Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience, Surf Club, Be Beach, Monkey Bar, Helipad, plus a Beatport Live IMS Dubai showcase featuring Gawdat, Special Guest ROLBAC, Misty, Keena and A.M.R with a Beatport Live sunset sessions closing day two of the summit with DJ Habibieats, Vanco, Megatronic, Fairplay, neighboursbymusic b2b Farsa.
Roberta Hickey, Director of MENA at Beatport, captured the broader direction: “The energy, the talent, the passion is undeniable. And we see this as just the very start of a long journey.”
This year’s summit not only highlighted the ambition, creativity, and innovation shaping the region but also underscored the collective drive to push the culture forward. The 2025 edition made one point clear: the region is no longer building credibility, it is building infrastructure, alliances and long-term cultural and economic foundations. Its impact is not emerging; it is established, visible and accelerating.
“Representation used to be the goal. Now it feels like we’re asking for something deeper; agency, ownership, infrastructure.”
Artist DJ Habibeats captured the change happening on the ground: “There are so many more Arabs in music, in positions of power - booking, labels, DJs, producers, artists - more than I’ve ever seen before.”
Artist Misty spoke to both the responsibility and the reality of this moment: “When you go out into the world, you carry your community with you. And when you return home, you empower that community with the knowledge you gained.” Later adding, “We’re not part of Arab Artists Rising. We have risen.” A powerful message and a key theme emerging throughout the summit.
The summit continued into evenings across the city, with an official pre-party at Reunion featuring Nicole Moudaber, events at Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience, Surf Club, Be Beach, Monkey Bar, Helipad, plus a Beatport Live IMS Dubai showcase featuring Gawdat, Special Guest ROLBAC, Misty, Keena and A.M.R with a Beatport Live sunset sessions closing day two of the summit with DJ Habibieats, Vanco, Megatronic, Fairplay, neighboursbymusic b2b Farsa.
Roberta Hickey, Director of MENA at Beatport, captured the broader direction: “The energy, the talent, the passion is undeniable. And we see this as just the very start of a long journey.”
This year’s summit not only highlighted the ambition, creativity, and innovation shaping the region but also underscored the collective drive to push the culture forward. The 2025 edition made one point clear: the region is no longer building credibility, it is building infrastructure, alliances and long-term cultural and economic foundations. Its impact is not emerging; it is established, visible and accelerating.
Press Kit of IMS Dubai available here
About International Music Summit
International Music Summit (IMS) was created in 2007 by five influential industry professionals. A thought-leadership platform for industry, culture, and education in electronic music, the organisation champions ethical and sustainable growth and aims to be a catalyst for positive progress and transformation from the boardroom to the dancefloor. The flagship annual event of IMS, IMS Ibiza, unites thousands of delegates from across the global ecosystem of electronic music, incorporating a three-day summit, the IMS Business Report, and the iconic IMS Dalt Vila closing celebration at the island’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. IMS Ibiza is co-hosted by Pete Tong and Jaguar (both BBC Radio 1), alongside long-term sponsor AlphaTheta.
International Music Summit (IMS) was created in 2007 by five influential industry professionals. A thought-leadership platform for industry, culture, and education in electronic music, the organisation champions ethical and sustainable growth and aims to be a catalyst for positive progress and transformation from the boardroom to the dancefloor. The flagship annual event of IMS, IMS Ibiza, unites thousands of delegates from across the global ecosystem of electronic music, incorporating a three-day summit, the IMS Business Report, and the iconic IMS Dalt Vila closing celebration at the island’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. IMS Ibiza is co-hosted by Pete Tong and Jaguar (both BBC Radio 1), alongside long-term sponsor AlphaTheta.
About The Beatport Group
Beatport is the world's largest music store for DJs. Since 2004, it has supported the global DJ community by connecting them with fans and providing the tools to elevate their careers. Through Beatport Live & Interactive, the brand delivers unique live event experiences that deepen the connection between artists and audiences. Its online editorial platform, Beatportal, celebrates and amplifies electronic music culture worldwide. Beatport also leads key community initiatives, including the $150,000 annual Diversity + Parity Fund and Beatport Next, its flagship artist development program, both reflecting a commitment to building a more inclusive, representative, and forward-thinking electronic music industry.
Beatport is the world's largest music store for DJs. Since 2004, it has supported the global DJ community by connecting them with fans and providing the tools to elevate their careers. Through Beatport Live & Interactive, the brand delivers unique live event experiences that deepen the connection between artists and audiences. Its online editorial platform, Beatportal, celebrates and amplifies electronic music culture worldwide. Beatport also leads key community initiatives, including the $150,000 annual Diversity + Parity Fund and Beatport Next, its flagship artist development program, both reflecting a commitment to building a more inclusive, representative, and forward-thinking electronic music industry.
25hours Hotel One Central – Dubai
Perched in the heart of Dubai, facing the iconic Museum of the Future, 25hours Hotel One Central brings a fresh and unconventional spirit to the city. Located in the Dubai World Trade Centre and steps away from the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) , the hotel is perfectly positioned—just three metro stops from the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, and a 15-minute drive from the beach.Rooted in storytelling, the hotel reimagines the ancient Bedouin tradition of the Hakawati—the desert storyteller—through bold design, cultural references, and immersive experiences. A hub for locals and travellers alike, 25hours invites guests to come as they are, offering a playful and relaxed take on hospitality in a city known for its classic luxury. Whether you’re here for work or play, every corner of the hotel is an invitation to connect, explore, and be part of the story.
Perched in the heart of Dubai, facing the iconic Museum of the Future, 25hours Hotel One Central brings a fresh and unconventional spirit to the city. Located in the Dubai World Trade Centre and steps away from the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) , the hotel is perfectly positioned—just three metro stops from the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, and a 15-minute drive from the beach.Rooted in storytelling, the hotel reimagines the ancient Bedouin tradition of the Hakawati—the desert storyteller—through bold design, cultural references, and immersive experiences. A hub for locals and travellers alike, 25hours invites guests to come as they are, offering a playful and relaxed take on hospitality in a city known for its classic luxury. Whether you’re here for work or play, every corner of the hotel is an invitation to connect, explore, and be part of the story.
NOTE FOR EDITOR / NOT FOR PUBLICATION
PRESS KIT
PRESS KIT
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