Universal Music Group Officially Launches ‘Universal Arabic Music’Ahead of its much-anticipated 2021 IPO, Universal Music Group has officially launched “Universal Arabic Music” with The Weeknd manager and XO Records CEO Wassim “Sal” Slaiby as well as Republic Records. The Vivendi-owned Big Three record label announced the debut of Universal Arabic Music (UAM) today, in a general release. On this front, UAM is in the process of “building a team of experts who speak Arabic and have a deep understanding of Arabic music and culture,” according to the announcement message. To be sure, Universal Music in recent months has quietly inked an expanded licensing deal with Boomplay, teamed up with Gibson on a publishing venture in China, and unveiled a multifaceted partnership with Big Hit/Hybe. Warner Music Group – which went public in what was 2020’s biggest IPO – confirmed its investment in Arab heavyweight Rotana Music in February, before closing a massive, multi-year licensing deal with Tencent Music and establishing Atlantic Records Russia in March.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 06, 2021 21:41 UTC