The Creative Media Authority (CMA) and PopArabia have formed a two-year partnership to host specialised songwriting camps, supporting Abu Dhabi’s position as part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a Creative City of Music.
The first camp, hosted at Yas Creative Hub for four days, welcomed industry professionals from around the world to share their knowledge with participants, in association with Music Publishers Canada, and with support from the Independent Music Publishers Forum (IMPF), MDL Beast Records, ESMAA, and Reservoir.
This first iteration of “CREATE in Abu Dhabi” focused on urban, hip hop, afro, and pop music, bringing artists, writers, and producers together to collaborate and create during immersive sessions. The sessions were attended by artists from around the world including the Middle East, Asia, Canada and Europe and are integral to the development of Abu Dhabi’s songwriter economy, ensuring the future growth of the UAE’s ecosystem for the creation and export of music, musical talent, and associated industries.
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of Creative Media Authority, said: “Being able to host a songwriting camp and showcase our next generation of talent to the world is inspiring. Creative Media Authority is committed to providing world-class training and development opportunities such as these to emerging creatives, and being able to provide them with opportunities to work with some of the world’s leading creatives enhances and grows our creative ecosystem, placing Abu Dhabi’s talent alongside the best in the world.”
As part of the camp series branded “CREATE” by Music Publishers Canada, the initiative has been held in other key countries for creative collaboration, including Australia, USA, Germany, UK and more. By fostering creative collaboration and highlighting the immense potential of Arabic music, the camp underscores Abu Dhabi’s position as a growing hub for cultural and artistic innovation in the Middle East. It also aligns with PopArabia’s dedication to nurturing the next wave of music talent in the region while exporting its unique sound to audiences worldwide.
Hussain (Spek) Yoosuf, Founder and CEO of PopArabia and ESMAA, said: “The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world for music, and we’re witnessing the emergence of a vibrant regional sound that is increasingly resonating with global audiences. PopArabia and ESMAA have been longtime advocates for music creators and their rights in this region, and these camps are a natural extension of our broader mission to build and support a thriving ecosystem for music in the UAE and the wider region.
As part of the two-year partnership, Creative Media Authority and PopArabia will host additional songwriting camps throughout 2025 and 2026, with a view to further extension.
