Spotify Reveals Most Streamed Khaleeji Songs Throughout The Decades

(MENAFN- Mid-East) Saudi Arabia – As we enter the second half of 2024, Spotify unveils the most streamed Khaleeji artists and tracks over the past 6 months in Saudi Arabia.

Leading the list of the top five Khaleeji artists is Abdul Majeed Abdullah, followed by Ayed, Rashed Al-Majed, Majid Almohandis, and Rabeh Saqer. The top Khaleeji five tracks based on streams in ascending order include:“Rdy” by Ayed,“Ya Ibn Al Awadim” by Abdul Majeed Abdullah,“Kel Ahebek” by Fouad Abdulwahed,“Tejene (2)” by Ayed and“Kareh Nafsi” by Ayed.

Growing Popularity Among Younger Listeners:

The Khaleeji genre holds a special place in the hearts of Saudis, offering a deeply local appeal with lyrics that resonate profoundly with its audience. Often likened to sung poetry, Khaleeji music touches on core emotions, making it highly relatable, especially to the youth. Whether expressing happiness or sadness, these songs strike a chord with listeners, creating a powerful connection. While the genre has evolved over time in terms of sound quality and modern production, it has retained its timeless essence through emotive lyrics that continue to evoke strong feelings.

Over the past six months since the beginning of the year, the Khaleeji genre has been the most streamed local genre in Saudi Arabia. Data from Spotify also reveals a notable trend: younger listeners increasingly listen to Khaleeji music, with 18-24 year-olds leading the genre's streams at 44%.

Old is Gold: Gen Z Revives Nostalgic Khaleeji Tunes:

The older catalogue of Khaleeji music, in particular, has seen a significant surge in popularity on Spotify among Gen Z audiences. Over the past five years, streams of nostalgic Khaleeji tracks by Gen Z listeners have grown by 5,500% and doubled in 2023 alone. This trend highlights the increasing interest and appreciation for older songs within this age group, with 46% of nostalgic Khaleeji track streams in 2024 coming from Gen Z listeners.

Looking at data between January and June 2024, extracted from Spotify's suite of“Khaleeji Decades” playlists, Spotify has revealed the most listened-to Khaleeji tracks from the past four decades. For the 80s,“Bala Mi'ad” by Khaled Abdul Rahman was the most listened to track. The 90s saw“Bakaya Jorooh” by Khaled Abdul Rahman emerge as the favorite. From the 2000s,“Yama Hawelt” by Abdul Majeed Abdullah topped the charts. Finally, the 2010s were led by“Men Methlek” by Abdul Majeed Abdullah, Ahmed Al Harmi, and Anwar Al Mushairi.

A Curated Library of Sounds Spanning Every Decade:

Offering a comprehensive suite of“Khaleeji Decades” playlists, Spotify's latest initiative capitalizes on rising catalog music consumption in the region and Gen Z's appetite for classic, nostalgia-inducing tracks to introduce listeners to iconic Khaleeji sounds.

Ensuring there is something in store to suit every preference and taste, the suite includes several Khaleeji playlists along with Arabic Classic playlists, as well as decade-specific curations and playlists spanning Egyptian, Maghreb, and Levant music.

Listeners are invited to immerse themselves in the musical journey of the Khaleeji region with“Khaleeji Essentials,” a playlist featuring must-hear tracks that define the genre. They can also enjoy a series of decade-specific playlists - Khaleeji 80's, Khaleeji 90's, Khaleeji 00's, and Khaleeji 10's - capturing the evolving taste in music and the iconic sounds that have defined each era.

Designed to cater to both long-time enthusiasts and new listeners, the curated playlists provide a comprehensive listening experience that spans the genre's rich history.

“Khaleeji music is timeless, deeply rooted in Saudi culture, and woven into our childhood memories and the many moments that define the Saudi experience,” said Rhea Chedid, Editorial Lead for MENA and South Asia at Spotify.

“We're thrilled to launch a series of decade-specific Khaleeji playlists, covering everything from the essentials to the hits of the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s. In response to increasing interest in classic Khaleeji tracks among 18-24-year-olds on our platform, we've curated this collection of playlists to make it easier for them to enjoy the music they love and discover new favorites.”

Chedid added:“Listeners can also stream tunes from the 'Tarab Khaleeji' playlist, which is one of the most listened-to playlists in Saudi Arabia. To suit more contemporary music tastes, we offer playlists including 'Khaleeji Hits,' and 'Khaleeji Jadeed,' in addition to a variety of moods and moments playlists that ensure Khaleeji music accompanies listeners throughout their day, no matter the mood they're in.”

Explore the list of top Khaleeji artists and tracks on Spotify below:

Top 5 Most-Streamed Khaleeji Artists: