RIYADH: Renowned artist and producer DJ Khaled made a surprise appearance at XP Music Futures in Riyadh on Wednesday ahead of his headlining performance at the region’s largest music festival, MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM 2022.
The musician sat down in a panel with music producer Larry Jackson and American rapper Fat Joe to discuss the global music industry, their experiences as experts in the field and the bright future of Saudi talent.
Despite his extreme fear of flying, DJ Khaled made the trip to the region right after a stop in Paris to recreate the Air Jordan Jumpman logo, “Air Khaled,” with fellow musician and longtime friend and supporter Fat Joe.
The industry legend said: “To come all the way to Saudi Arabia to be able to represent hip hop is a proud moment for me. I’ll speak from my own experience, coming from (being) in my garage with two turntables and a drum machine and a bunch of vinyl records to where I’m at now, it was something I knew I was going to do for the rest of my life.”
The producers can spot hit songs from a mile away, Chief Creative Officer of MDLBEAST Ahmad Al-Ammary said, which requires great experience in knowing the wants of a global market.
“For me, it’s all about feelings…If it touches my soul a certain way, I just know,” DJ Khaled said.
Regardless of genre or the feel of the song, the music needs to resonate with not just local, but international audiences. he explained.
The DJ said that there are many hit records that they have worked on that have made it onto the main stage, engaging audiences to sing to every word, but in other circumstances, the emotional connection to a track or an album trumps the chart numbers.
“It’s not always about a hit record that we all strive to make the No. 1 record on Billboard…There (are) other records that we consider (hits) that are personal to somebody’s life. I have a song out called ‘GRATEFUL.’ It might not be the No. 1 record on the album, but everybody loves that record because it’s talking about being grateful for all the blessings, and people can resonate,” DJ Khaled said.
For the talent, staying grounded and being family oriented are priorities. DJ Khaled credits his success to God and the support of his parents, who stood by him while he was still building his career.
“I feel like God has put me on this earth to try to make the world better…I want to find a way to make the world better and make the world happier because I have kids, and I want them to come out to the real world and make sure they’re safe,” he said.
Coming to the region for the first time, his experience of the culture and people was unlike any other. The quality of life and overarching excitement appealed to the artist.
“When we were driving over here and I was looking around, I put my head out the window and somebody screamed ‘Khaled!’ and I appreciate the love, and I said ‘Joe, man, people here are just happy,’” he said.
The esteemed guests showed their support for the growing talent in the region and the rise of the industry regionally.
“I’m so fascinated and so compelled to see what’s going on (in Saudi Arabia) culturally right now because I’m telling you…the next big artist could come from Saudi Arabia, I swear to God. I’m telling you, there are no gatekeepers right now,” Jackson said.
DJ Khaled makes a surprise appearance at XP Music Futures in Riyadh
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DJ Khaled makes a surprise appearance at XP Music Futures in Riyadh
- The musician sat down in a panel with music producer Larry Jackson and American rapper Fat Joe to discuss the global music industry
- The producers can spot hit songs from a mile away, Chief Creative Officer of MDLBEAST Ahmad Al-Ammary said
Saudi crown prince receives call from Ukraine’s Zelensky
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
During the call, the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts made to resolve it.
They also reviewed Saudi-Ukrainian relations and discussed issues of common interest. Regional and international developments were also discussed.
Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 features first display of Holy Kaaba’s Kiswah outside Makkah
- Exhibition will highlight Saudi Arabia’s key role in serving Islam and Muslims
- Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba is “considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts”
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will feature, from Jan. 25 to May 25, the first public display outside Makkah of the whole Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is hosting the unprecedented event at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, titled “And All That Is In Between.”
Visitors can admire the intricate weaving and embroidery of the Kiswah, the cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, featuring silk, gold and silver threads.
Since 1927, the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa has been producing decorative embroidered clothes for the Holy Kaaba, which is replaced annually.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation said that the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba, with its distinctive inscriptions and ornamentations, is “considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts” and holds significance in the lives of Muslims worldwide.
The exhibition will highlight Saudi Arabia’s key role in serving Islam and Muslims over the decades and showcase the exceptional skills and craftsmanship of the Kiswah Factory of the Holy Kaaba.
Alongside the Kiswah display, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will exhibit a collection of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks. The organizers aim to surpass the 600,000 visitors who attended the 2023 event.
The event also aims to enhance pilgrims’ religious and cultural experiences while preserving the Kingdom’s Islamic heritage as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Deal to enhance heritage conservation in AlUla, China
- Agreement unites expertise in cultural preservation and tourism growth
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla and Dunhuang Academy have signed a strategic partnership to enhance cultural, tourism and heritage collaborations between Saudi Arabia and China.
This partnership marks a key milestone in Saudi Arabia-China relations, combining the academy’s 80 years of expertise in heritage research and cultural conservation with the commission’s dedication to preserving AlUla’s cultural heritage.
The academy manages the Magao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 735 Buddhist caves in Gansu province, famous for their murals and sculptures that reflect Silk Road cultural influences.
The agreement unites the organizations as guardians of unique heritage, history and traditions, according to a recent press release.
The academy’s successful preservation of the Magao Grottoes has earned praise from UNESCO, the World Bank, and the Chinese government.
Both entities will collaborate on a conservation program for historic sites and artifacts in AlUla and western China. They will also organize academic exhibitions and exchange programs for staff and scholars.
Silvia Barbone, vice president of strategic partnerships at the commission, said that China and Saudi Arabia share a rich legacy that has connected people and places across vast distances and centuries.
“Today, our work in global heritage is strengthened by successful collaborations with leading institutions and destinations.”
Barbone added that the academy joins the commission in “our goal to establish northwest Arabia as a hub for research, exploration, and discovery in culture, heritage, tourism, and more, as we drive the regeneration of AlUla.”
The partnership follows the Saudi Travel Expo, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority, where AlUla was prominently featured. The event, held in Beijing’s Tian Tan Garden in October 2024, highlighted AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.
Su Bomin, director of Dunhuang Academy, said this collaboration was a significant step in “bridging our cultural histories and advancing heritage conservation efforts.
“By sharing our expertise and resources, we aim to foster cultural exchange, deepen mutual understanding, and create innovative programs that will benefit communities in both China and Saudi Arabia.”
In January 2024, the “AlUla, Wonder of Arabia” exhibition, featuring artifacts from the commission’s archaeological collection on public display for the first time, was hosted at Beijing’s Forbidden City UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Attracting over 220,000 visitors, the exhibition followed the signing of a partnership agreement between the commission and the Cultural Heritage Administration of China’s Henan province.
Saudi FM discusses Middle East issues with Spanish, British counterparts, UNRWA chief
- Prince Faisal meets Philippe Lazzarini in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received separate phone calls from Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday.
He discussed recent developments in the Middle East with his Spanish and British counterparts, and efforts to address them.
The Saudi foreign minister also met the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Philippe Lazzarini, in Riyadh. They discussed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to cooperate with UNRWA on projects benefiting the Palestinian people.
Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims
- A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences in separate messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the victims of the earthquake that hit Dingri County in the Xizang Region of southwest China.
The Saudi leadership extended heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the Chinese president and the families of those who died in the natural disaster, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
On Tuesday, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured.
