Over 90% of Egypt’s Spotify royalties went to independent artists in 2024
The latest figures from Spotify show strong growth for Egypt’s music scene across local and international markets.
Spotify has reported a significant increase in its payouts to Egyptian artists, with royalties doubling in 2024 compared to the previous year. The figures were released as part of Spotify’s Loud & Clear campaign, which aims to provide transparency around streaming income.
The streaming platform revealed that more than 90% of these payouts went to independent artists or those signed to smaller labels. This places Egypt among the countries with the highest share of royalties going to independent creators.
Mark Abou Jaoude, Spotify’s Head of Music for MENA and Pakistan, said: “Egyptian music is having a moment – and it’s just the beginning. Streaming isn’t just about getting heard anymore; it’s about building real careers and reshaping culture.”
Since 2022, royalties from Spotify to Egyptian artists’ rightsholders have increased more than five times. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, payouts grew by 100%. Egyptian music has also seen strong international engagement, with over 80% of royalties coming from listeners outside of Egypt. Key markets include the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, India, and Indonesia.
In total, Spotify reported that first-time listeners discovered Egyptian music more than 480 million times in 2024.
Local listening is also growing. Streams of Egyptian music within Egypt rose by over 70% last year. Since Spotify launched in the region in 2018, domestic streaming of Egyptian music has increased by nearly 450%. In 2024, over 80% of the tracks in Spotify Egypt’s Daily Top 50 chart were by Egyptian artists.
Genres such as Mahraganat and Egyptian hip-hop continue to gain traction, both domestically and abroad. Spotify has also highlighted Arabic as one of the fastest-growing musical languages globally. The platform supports this trend through initiatives such as RADAR Arabia and EQUAL Arabia, designed to promote artists across the Middle East and North Africa.
Commenting on the wider impact, Abou Jaoude added: “This is a pivotal moment for Egyptian music. The growth we’re seeing goes beyond numbers — it signals a real shift in how artists are building audiences, careers, and cultural impact.”
As streaming continues to reshape how music is shared and discovered, Egypt’s artists are seeing new opportunities to grow their audiences and generate income beyond national borders. With increasing support from platforms and rising global interest, the country’s music industry is entering a new phase of development.