Photo Credit: Diana Farroukh / CC by 2.0
Independent music company Reservoir and leading Middle East and North Africa (MENA) music publisher PopArabia have announced a new publishing partnership with In2Musica, the label, publisher, and production house of the Queen of Arab Pop, Nancy Ajram. The deal includes Ajram’s owned catalog and future works.
Singer, television personality, and businesswoman Nancy Ajram was the most-streamed female Arab artist on Spotify in 2020, with over 100 million plays of her music. The Lebanese star began her career as a child actor on several television shows, and released her debut studio album, Mihtagalak, at age 15.
Ajram has released 12 studio albums, with numerous chart-topping tracks that boast over 100 million views on YouTube. Her hits include “3am Bet3ella2 Feek,” “Ma Tegi Heny,” “Badna Nwalee El Jaw,” and the global hit “Sah Sah” with Marshmello, which was the first Arabic language song to reach Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
“I’m thrilled that In2Musica and I will be partnering with global companies like Reservoir and PopArabia, which have a history of advocating for artists’ rights and taking them around the world,” said Ajram. “We’re looking forward to reaching even more fans across the world with our music through this publishing partnership.”
“We are proud to be working with Nancy Ajram and In2Musica,” added Spek, musician, PopArabia Founder/CEO, and Reservoir Executive Vice President of International and Emerging Markets. “Nancy Ajram is a household name in the Middle East, and with the combined expert creative forces of PopArabia and Reservoir, we look forward to helping carve out additional global opportunities for her while also supporting her career and music locally.”
Reservoir Founder and CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi concluded: “This deal marks a significant addition to our catalog of music rooted in the Middle East. Working with a global superstar of Nancy’s stature is a meaningful opportunity for Reservoir and PopArabia, as we continue to champion Arabic music locally in the Middle East, as well as across the globe.”
As part of the deal, In2Musica will be represented worldwide by ESMAA, the Gulf-based rights management entity subsidiary of PopArabia that licenses performances, mechanical, and neighboring rights.
The announcement comes on the heels of several MENA-based transactions by Reservoir and PopArabia, furthering the companies’ ongoing efforts to grow in the region and contribute to the Arabic music scene on a global scale.
