Spotify has released its annual roundup of the most popular artists, songs, albums, and podcasts streamed in each country over the past year. In Saudi Arabia, Taylor Swift was named the most popular artist, while Adele's 'Set Fire to the Rain' was the most-streamed song. This recognition of Taylor Swift's popularity in Saudi Arabia reflects the global impact of her music. [b03acbc4]
In other news, over 1,300 artists, including Olivia Colman and Aimee Lou Wood, signed an open letter accusing cultural institutions in Western countries of repressing Palestinian voices. This highlights the ongoing debate surrounding cultural representation and freedom of expression. [b03acbc4]
OSN Group has announced a $50 million investment in audio streaming app Anghami, with plans to merge the two services. This investment demonstrates the growing importance of audio streaming platforms in the entertainment industry. [b03acbc4]
Dominique de Villepin, former prime minister of France, faced backlash for comments that were interpreted as antisemitic, suggesting Jewish control of the arts, culture, and media. This incident raises concerns about antisemitism and the need for responsible and inclusive public discourse. [b03acbc4]
Additionally, a senior CIA official posted a pro-Palestine image on Facebook, sparking controversy within the agency. This highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of expressing personal opinions in sensitive political contexts. [b03acbc4]
Last month, Netflix released a Saudi film called 'From The Ashes' which has become a surprise global hit. The movie, directed by Khalid Fahad, is based on a real-life incident where a fire broke out in an all-girls school. It has trended in over 37 countries, including Jamaica, Luxembourg, and several countries in Latin America. By early February, it had garnered 7.6 million views and over 11.6 million hours of watch time. Netflix is likely to produce more Saudi originals following the success of this film. [3b83ef04]
The Filipino film 'Rewind' starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera has achieved the number one spot on Netflix's Top 10 movies in the Philippines and several Middle East countries. The film, which started streaming on Netflix on March 25, led the top 10 movies in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and UAE, based on data from FlixPatrol. 'Rewind' is the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time and has received commendation from the Philippine Senate for revitalizing the local film industry. [7be8ff94]
Rema's song 'Calm Down' has become the most-streamed Afrobeats song in the US, earning over one billion on-demand streams. The song was released in February 2022 as a single off Rema's debut album 'Rave and Roses'. Rema partnered with Selena Gomez for a remix of the song, which hit the billion-plays mark on Spotify. The remix is currently the most-watched music video by a Nigerian artist on YouTube. Rema's success has placed him among prominent Nigerian Afrobeats artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. [9e106f63]