*Summer 2023 in Review: Chart-topping hits, unbeatable releases, and Anghami’s distinguished award to Amr Diab surpassing 1.5+ Billion streams as the most streamed artist.
Abu Dhabi, 5 September 2023 – Anghami, the leading music and entertainment streaming platform in the MENA region, has revealed its hottest Summer 2023 Music Charts. This summer wasn’t just a season on Anghami, it was a non-stop party where the beats and vibe brought everyone closer. From Egyptian Hip-hop creating waves to International Pop hits that became instant classics, to Indie tracks and Electronic releases that made their move, and the ever-present Rap scene that kept us cool.
Summer 2023 on Anghami showcased how Arabic hits triumphed the scene once again, reclaiming their place at the forefront of the musical charts with the Top 10 songs being resoundingly Arabic, an affirmation of the powerful connection between music and identity. Tracks like “Ekhtiyarati” by Ahmed Saad , “El Bakht” by Wegz and “El Hafla” by Amr Diab dominated the charts on Anghami.
Throughout this summer, Amr Diab’s releases have been nothing short of a journey in constant innovation and his songs not only broke records once again but also demonstrated his ability to push boundaries. Breaking away from the ordinary, El Hadaba’s hit “Wallahi Abadan” revived the words of Andalusian poetry with a vibrant electronic beat, creating an unconventional musical and lyrical experience. Additionally, Amr Diab’s presence in Anghami’s Top Summer Arabic playlist for MENA was quite prominent, with 25 of his songs securing a spot among the 100 leading tracks.
This season, Anghami officially recognized Amr Diab as the most streamed artist of all time on the platform during his mega concert in Beirut this summer, with a staggering 1.5+ billion streams and still counting.
More on the music scene, Arabic Soundtracks streaming grew by 57% this summer, reaffirming their popularity among listeners with songs like “Ekhtiyarati” (Mister X Movie), “Satalana” (Baad El Shar), “Hormone El Saada” (Taj Film), and “El Waet Fat” (RIVO Show) capturing the spotlight.
The Egyptian pop genre saw another rise this summer, reaching nearly 1 billion streams and an average growth of 25%, with hits and lyrical masterpieces taking over the scene like “Yemken Kher” by Ramy Sabry and “Reyah El Hayat” by Hamza Namira. The latter, despite being released in early August, managed to reach #22 on the MENA Top Summer Arabic chart, competing with tracks that had been out for longer. Songs from Hamza Namira’s upcoming album, like “Raye2,” also topped the daily Anghami charts and won the hearts of people from all over the region, a rare feat in the music scene.
In a significant observation, International tracks made their mark in the Saudi charts this summer on Anghami. Notably, hits like “Too Many Nights” (feat. Don Toliver), “Sprinter,” and “Trance” secured their spots within the Kingdom’s Top 5 summer hits. A cross-cultural fusion showcasing Anghami’s ability to bridge musical gaps and speak to MENA listeners through diverse genres.
In Tunisia, artist “Samara” dominated the charts, holding the first 11 consecutive slots in the summer charts, while Morocco saw the rise of hits like “Zarzour” by Lartiste and “3DABI” by Draganov and both made it to the first and second spots respectively, adding to the vibrant musical scene of North Africa.
As for International Hits, leading the pack in this lineup is Metro Boomin, whose December release continues to make waves and has firmly established itself as the summer album, dominating the charts across MENA. Tracks like “Too Many Nights” and “Creepin'” have turned gatherings into impromptu concerts. Dave & Central Cee’s “Sprinter” witnessed an astounding rise, captivating audiences with its dynamic energy and hook. The long-awaited album “UTOPIA” from Travis Scott, after a five-year break, has lived up to the hype and tracks such as “I KNOW?” and “MELTDOWN ft. Drake” raced up the charts. This season, Peggy Gou’s “Nanana” emerged as the ultimate dancefloor filler and captured the essence of summer nights, and then there was that striking duo of Selena Gomez and Rema, whose single “Calm Down” seemed like a summer hit that just won’t fade away in any season.
While global hits may echo and resonate, it is the sounds of the region that have struck a chord deep within its people. This summer has seen a rekindling of appreciation for the cultural diversity and progress in trends that Arabic music offers, showcasing the innate connection between music and sense of belonging.
For a comprehensive recap of the season’s best hits, genres & moods by country, and a journey through the musical preferences of the Middle East and North Africa, visit Summer 2023 page on Anghami here.
ABOUT ANGHAMI:
The first, most established and fastest growing music technology platform in the Middle East and North Africa region, Anghami is the go-to destination for Arabic and International music, podcasts and entertainment. With an extensive ecosystem of music, podcasts, events and more, Anghami provides the tools for anyone to create, curate and share their voice with the world. Launched in 2012, Anghami was the first music-streaming platform in MENA to digitize the region’s music. Today, it has the largest catalog comprising more than 100 million songs and licensed content from leading Arabic labels, independent artists and global distributors, available for 120 million registered users. Anghami has established 40+ telco partnerships to facilitate subscriptions and customer acquisitions, in parallel to building long-term relationships with, and featuring music from, major music labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and the Merlin Network. Anghami is constantly licensing and producing new and original content. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Anghami has offices in Beirut, Dubai, Cairo, and Riyadh and operates in 16 countries across MENA. It has recently expanded into the US and Canada, with Europe in the pipeline. It is the only service available in English, Arabic and French, and remains close to its customer base, not only thanks to its pan-regional presence but also via the 56 million user data points it generates every day.
To learn more about Anghami, please visit: https://anghami.com
