A new chart highlighting music in the WANA region ranks artists based on user engagement.

TikTok and Billboard have unveiled a new music chart tailored for the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. This initiative, named the TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50, aims to spotlight the region’s musical talents and trends by leveraging TikTok’s vast user engagement.

The TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 is a weekly chart that ranks songs based on their popularity within the TikTok community in the WANA region. Unlike traditional charts that primarily consider sales and streaming numbers, this chart focuses on two main factors:

  1. User-Generated Content: The number of videos created by TikTok users featuring a particular song.
  2. Artist Engagement: The level of interaction and engagement that artists’ profiles receive on the platform.

By considering these metrics, the chart provides a unique perspective on which songs are resonating most with users, reflecting real-time trends and preferences.

This collaboration between TikTok and Billboard signifies a strategic effort to delve deeper into specific markets. While Billboard already offers a global ‘Top 50 Songs on TikTok’ chart, the introduction of a region-specific chart underscores the importance of the WANA region in the global music landscape.

The TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 isn’t the only chart tracking music trends in the WANA region. Global industry body IFPI launched a region-wide chart in 2022, later expanding it with individual charts for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and North Africa in 2023. This growing focus on WANA music reflects the region’s increasing global influence.

Spotify also highlighted this trend in 2024, reporting that streams of music from WANA artists are growing internationally by nearly 40% each year. As more artists break beyond their local and diaspora audiences, their music is reaching fans worldwide.

The inaugural TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 chart showcased a diverse array of talent from the WANA region. The top five positions were occupied by:

  1. Islam Kabonga
  2. Ibraheem Al Sultan
  3. Majid Al Muhandis
  4. Noor Al Zain
  5. Rashed Al Majed

These artists have successfully captured the attention of TikTok users, leading to increased visibility and engagement. For music fans, this chart serves as a curated list of trending songs, making it easier to discover new favourites and stay updated with the latest musical movements in the region.

Music fans and artists alike can engage with the TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 by:

  • Creating Content: Users can participate by creating videos featuring their favourite tracks, contributing to the song’s popularity.
  • Exploring New Music: The chart serves as a discovery tool, introducing fans to emerging artists and trending songs within the region.
  • Supporting Artists: Engaging with artists’ profiles through follows, likes, and comments can positively impact their ranking on the chart.

As TikTok continues to shape global music trends, the TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 will likely draw attention far beyond the WANA region, offering a fresh look at the artists and songs making an impact on a worldwide scale.