UAM pushes Arabic music in the US with new hip-hop collaboration with the future

The sounds and rhythms of Arabic hip-hop are being introduced to US audiences through a new Universal Arabic Music (UAM) project that unites Egyptian rap star and actor Mohamed Ramadan with top American artist Future.

Out Thursday (February 8), Ramadan's collaborative single and music video “Arabi” also features Lebanese-Canadian singer Massari, produced by Scott Storch, Sari “Massari” Abboudand Martin “Adium” Sinotte.

This partnership “embodies our vision at UAM and the way we see Arabic music globally,” he says Wassim “Sal” Slaibyfounder of Universal Arabic Music and CEO of SALXCO, which recently signed Mohammed to manage.

Aiming to promote Arabic music worldwide, UAM was founded in April 2021 by Slaiby, who has guided the Weeknd's career, in partnership with Republic Records and Universal Music Group.

UAM's focus is to discover and champion artists and sounds from the Middle East and North Africa, a region with huge potential as a music market, based on a population of around 500 million, traditionally plagued by rampant piracy.

In just three years, the music label has shed light on Elyanna, Saint Levant, $kinny and more, and has had several hits, including Nancy Ajram's “Sah Sah” and Marshmello, the first Arabic track on Billboard's Dance. /Electronic Songs and 'Tukoh Taka', the official FIFA World Cup 2022 song featuring Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares, released in Arabic, Spanish and English.

“It has been my dream to showcase the talent and culture of Arabic music globally with partners I trust and admire,” Slaiby said in a press release at the launch of UAM.

Ramadan's music has garnered more than 5 billion views on YouTube and more than 30 million fans follow his moves on Instagram. Expect those numbers to increase when he features in the opening ceremony at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, February 11, completing a hat-trick of goals for the superstar performer. He also performed at the tournament's opening ceremony and contributed to “Akwaba”, the official anthem of the games, alongside Nigerian artist Yemi Alade, producers of Ivorian hit Magic System and Universal Music Africa production.

Atlanta-based Future needs no introduction to the US hip-hop community. He has topped the Billboard Hot 100 on two occasions and boasts eight solo No. 1s on the Billboard 200 chart. In total, he has achieved 15 top 10 albums.