The first-ever Billboard Arabia Music Awards (BBAMAs) took center stage on Wednesday (Dec. 11) at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This momentous event was a testament to the remarkable talent shaping Arabic music and honored artists who dominated Billboard Arabia’s charts throughout the year. Alongside honorary awards like Icon of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Cultural Impact Award, it showcased the growing significance of Arabic music on the global stage.

Under the Billboard Umbrella: A Global Sound Resonance

Arabic music is now echoing across the globe through a surge in international concerts, cross-cultural collaborations, and a celebration of its rich and diverse sounds. This event joins K-pop, Latin, and African music as one of the fastest-growing music markets worldwide, under the trusted Billboard umbrella.

Charting Success: Diverse Categories and Talented Winners

Winners of the BBAMAs were determined based on their performance on Billboard Arabia’s diverse charts, including the Hot 100, Artist 100, dialect-specific charts (Khaleeji, Egyptian, Levantine, and Magharebi), and genre-specific charts such as Arabic Hip-Hop, Arabic Indie, Shelat, and Mahraganat. These categories reflect Billboard’s signature approach to celebrating music that resonates globally.Sherine’s music and voice left an indelible mark, sweeping five awards and demonstrating her continued ability to connect with fans across the region. Al Shami claimed four awards, while ElGrande Toto took home three trophies. Abdul Majeed Abdullah was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, along with Artist of the Year – Khaleeji Dialect and Top Male Artist – Khaleeji Dialect. The Cultural Impact Award was posthumously presented to the late and iconic singer Etab by Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, honoring her enduring legacy.

Electrifying Performances: Superstars on the Stage

The evening was filled with electrifying performances from regional and global superstars. Elissa delivered an unforgettable medley of her greatest hits against a cinematic, visually stunning set design, earning her the coveted Icon Award. Tamer Ashour performed his chart-topping anthem “Haygeely Mawgoa,” which won Song of the Year. Elyanna dazzled the audience with a vibrant medley, including her hit “Ganeni,” and was crowned Top New Artist and Top Arabic Indie Female Artist.The coveted Top Dueto of the Year went to Ahmed Saad and Assala for their heartfelt collaboration “Sab Farhety.” Saad also set the stage ablaze with performances of his fan-favorite hits. The Khaleeji medley featured breathtaking performances from Hams Fekry, Ayed, and Oumaima Taleb. Ayed’s standout track earned him Top Khaleeji Song, and Oumaima was crowned Top Female Artist – Khaleeji Dialect.

Coinciding with a Historic Announcement

Adding to the night’s significance, the BBAMAs coincided with Saudi Arabia’s historic announcement of winning the bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. In a special segment, Ayed, Ghada Sherri, and Fahd Bin Fasla debuted the first official songs for the World Cup, making the awards’ debut ceremony truly unforgettable.Who else made their mark at the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards? Check out the full list of winners below to see who’s shaping the future of Arabic music.

Winners Galore: A Comprehensive List

Song of the Year: “Haygely Mawgow” by Tamer AshourArtist of the Year: Sherine Abdel WahabTop Male Artist: Amr DiabTop Female Artist: Sherine Abdel WahabTop Band: CairokeeTop New Artist: ElyannaHighest Gainer: TUL8TETop Arabic Dueto of the Year: Assala Nasri and Ahmed Saad – “Sabb Farhety”Top Khaleeji Song: Ayed – “Lammah”Artist of the Year – Khaleeji Dialect: Abdul Majeed AbdullahTop Male Artist – Khaleeji Dialect: Abdul Majeed AbdullahTop Female Artist – Khaleeji Dialect: Oumaima TalebTop Egyptian Song: Tamer Ashour – “Haygely Mawgow”Artist of the Year – Egyptian Dialect: Sherine Abdel WahabTop Male Artist – Egyptian Dialect: Amr DiabTop Female Artist – Egyptian Dialect: Sherine Abdel WahabTop Levantine Song: Al Shami – “Sabra”Artist of the Year – Levantine Dialect: Al ShamiTop Male Artist – Levantine Dialect: Al ShamiTop Female Artist – Levantine Dialect: Nancy AjramTop Magharebi Song: Saad Lamjarred, Shreya Ghoshal, and Rajat Nagpal – “Guli Mata”Artist of the Year – Magharebi: DystinctTop Male Artist – Magharebi Dialect: DystinctTop Female Artist – Magharebi Dialect: ManalTop Arabic Hip-Hop Song: ElGrandeToto – “Blue Love”Artist of the Year – Arabic Hip-Hop: ElGrandeTotoTop Arabic Hip-Hop Male Artist: ElGrandeTotoTop Arabic Hip-Hop Female Artist: KhtekTop Indie Song: Al Shami – “Sabra”Artist of the Year – Arabic Indie: CairokeeTop Arabic Indie Male Artist: MuslimTop Arabic Indie Female Artist: ElyannaTop Mahraganat Song: Eslam Kabonga – “Aywa Ya Habibty Wahashtiny”Artist of the Year – Mahraganat: Essam SasaTop Male Mahraganat Artist: Essam SasaBest Composer: Amro El-Shazly & Mehdi MzayenBest Songwriter: AleemBest Music Producer: Tareq Hjeily