The Arab Grammy Awards, to be held for the first time in December 2024 in Dubai, represent a major milestone in the recognition of Arab music on the international stage. Launched as part of the MENA Recording Academy’s efforts to diversify and expand its reach, these awards aim to honor artists and music creators from the Arab world and Turkey, covering a variety of genres from classical Arab music to contemporary hip-hop, reflecting the richness and diversity of musical cultures in the region.
The initiative also seeks to promote these artists on global stages and provide a platform for them to share their unique stories and cultural influences. The event will include categories such as Best Arab Album and Best Arab Vocal Performance, in addition to the global Grammy awards, showing increased support for talent from the Arab world.
Although the selected artists have not yet been announced, it seems likely that the Egyptian rapper Felukha—whose real name is Sara El Messiry—will be among them. On October 21, she will embark on her first solo international tour, stopping in European cities like Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam before heading to Dubai for a concert on November 15 at Monkey Bar. After her new single Honey Suckle, she is already working on her fourth album. She describes it as a return to her hip-hop roots. "You heard it here first: it will be released next year and will be called Hibiscus."