Riyadh, December 5, 2025 - XP Music Futures 2025, organized by MDLBEAST Foundation, opened its fifth edition, celebrating 5 years of XP Music Futures, with a dynamic launch day that brought together global industry leaders, regional talent, and emerging creatives for a full programme of talks, workshops, and evening showcases. The conference, now firmly established as a cornerstone for music development in the Middle East, began its three-day run with a clear focus on accelerating the future of the region’s creative economy.
The day kicked off with an inspiring opening ceremony featuring keynote remarks by General Manager of MDLBEAST Foundation, Nada Alhelabi, MDLBEAST’s Chief Creative Officer, Ahmad Alammary "Baloo", and Chief Operating Officer, Talal Albahiti, marking five years of XP’s growth and impact. The celebration set the stage with powerful reflections and visionary talks.
“Celebrating the fifth year of XP Music Futures is both a big milestone and proof of how far this ecosystem has come. You can feel the momentum in our artists, in our audiences, in our partners, and in the energy we’ll experience over the next three days,” Nada shared as she highlighted XP’s mission and the vibrant community driving it forward.”
Talal followed with his perspective, saying: “What excites me the most is watching the younger generation embrace music not just as a hobby, but as a real, sustainable career. They’re lucky to grow up surrounded by world-class events, creative spaces, and opportunities that simply didn’t exist before. This is transforming our domestic market and inspiring possibilities we once only imagined.” He energized the audience with his passion for the region’s creative potential.
While Ahmad Alammary "Baloo" concluded the remarks, emphasizing XP’s continued evolution and future ambitions: “The music scene in Saudi and I would even say our whole region, is redefining creative expression and music culture. That was something we always envisioned doing with every MDLBEAST endeavor. We’re giving artists a place to grow, experiment, and be seen.” The ceremony ignited excitement for what promises to be a landmark edition of XP.
Throughout the day, Riyadh’s JAX District transformed into a vibrant hub for knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Attendees engaged in sessions covering critical areas of industry growth, including “YouTube Music Presents: Visual Storytelling with Zeyne,” “IP in Music: Protecting and Monetizing Creativity in Saudi Arabia,” “Modern Heritage: Archiving, Sampling & Reimagining Heritage Through Sound,” and “Music & Gaming: Composing Score and Licensing Music,” alongside hands-on DJ and production workshops. The content spanned legal frameworks, sonic identity, wellness, and emerging technologies, offering practical tools for artists, producers, managers, and entrepreneurs shaping the next wave of music innovation in the region.
As evening approached, XP transitioned from daytime programming into its signature NITE showcases, previewing a diverse lineup of performances set to define this year’s edition. Acts including Lina Makoul, Etran de L’Aïr, Bab L' Bluz, and multiple acts from Beatroot Records, including Asayel, Ziad Zaza, Nourine, and more, reflected the breadth of genres and cultures represented at XP, reinforcing the conference’s commitment to elevating rising voices across indie, electronic, hip-hop, and alternative scenes. The shift from industry insights to live performances underscored XP’s role as both a learning platform and a cultural accelerator.
Marking its fifth year, XP Music Futures continues to evolve into a driving force behind the region’s music infrastructure. Through a combination of talent development, educational programming, and creative showcases, XP’25 sets the tone for a future-focused music ecosystem that connects artists, innovators, and policymakers across the MENA region. Day 1 made clear that XP remains not just a conference, but a movement shaping the sound and strategy of the region’s next era.
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Please find the press kit with additional imagery here.
Please find the press kit with additional imagery here.
About the MDLBEAST Foundation
The MDLBEAST Foundation is dedicated to fostering a human-centric, innovative, and sustainable music ecosystem that prioritizes well-being, diversity, and education through impactful initiatives and strategic collaborations.
The MDLBEAST Foundation is dedicated to fostering a human-centric, innovative, and sustainable music ecosystem that prioritizes well-being, diversity, and education through impactful initiatives and strategic collaborations.