29e November 2022 – IFPI, representing the global recording industry, today announced the track Calm by Nigerian artist Rema as the very first MENA #1, following the launch of the Official MENA Chart.
The track, released earlier this year, topped charts around the world and became a lasting hit across the region. A remixed version, featuring Selena Gomez, was released in August 2022 and further boosted the song’s popularity.
The Official MENA Chart is the world’s premier regional music streaming chart and the first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The new singles chart is supported by IFPI and includes music streaming data from Anghami, Apple, Deezer, Spotify and YouTube.
After today’s launch, music fans will be able to celebrate streaming top tracks on a weekly basis with the top 20 regional tracks announced every Tuesday. Fans can follow their favorite artists and keep up to date with the region’s biggest hits on the official MENA Chart website (www.theofficialmenachart.com) or through their social media channels Instagram and Facebook.
Rema reacted to the news saying, “I would like to thank all my fans in the area who have broadcast Calm and helped it become the first-ever official MENA #1 ranking! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the song and very proud to be the first artist to reach #1. Thanks also to the team of my label for their support.
Celebrating the launch of the awards, Frances Moore, CEO of IFPI, said, “I would like to congratulate Rema on becoming the first-ever MENA #1. Calm is a song that has clearly captured the imagination of fans across the region.
“The launch of the Official MENA Chart represents a major step forward for this dynamic and growing music market. Music fans can celebrate the performances of their favorite artists and songs in a chart that captures music streamed across all major streaming platforms and markets in the region using IFPI’s unique and accurate charting methodology. We look forward to celebrating the incredible artists who will make it into the top 20 each week and continuing to build charts in this exciting region.
Elsewhere in the rankings, Egyptian artists Farid, Ahmed Saad and Wegz and Saudi artist Ayed enter the MENA region’s first-ever top 10, while the influence of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar is clearly visible. with two songs from the official tournament soundtrack (Ozuna, GIMS and RedOne’s Arbo and Jung Kook dreamers) is also in the top 10, while Shakira’s classic Waka Waka (This time for Africa) – originally released for the 2010 World Cup – charts at #9 and tukoh takaby Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares is in 11th place.
The chart will be prepared weekly by BMAT Chart Compiler in accordance with IFPI Global Charting Principles and Methodologies. In addition to weekly chart updates, music fans across the region can expect a host of engaging articles and exclusive artist content at the Official MENA Music Hub.
What makes the Official MENA Chart the definitive chart of the region’s greatest songs?
Four unique elements make the official MENA chart the last word on music in the region:
- REPRESENTATIVE: The graph captures streaming music from 13 markets across the region, from Morocco in the west to the United Arab Emirates in the east – covering over 300 million people.
- INCLUDED: All major streaming platforms are covered, so whether fans get their music from Spotify, YouTube, Anghami, Apple Music or Deezer, their music consumption will count towards the chart.
- ACCURATE: The chart is prepared to the exacting standards of the global charting authority IFPI, using a unique methodology that considers both streaming volume and value and is calculated using world-class data of the IFPI.
- RECOGNIZED: Supported by all major streaming platforms and created with the region’s music industry, the chart is trusted by artists and fans.
ENDS
About the chart
The Official MENA Ranking is a streaming singles ranking covering 13 countries in the MENA region – Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates.
The chart includes chart-eligible streams from Apple Music, Spotify, Anghami, YouTube and Deezer. Following the principles of the IFPI Global Charts, each market’s streams are weighted to account for the economic difference between free and paid tiers of streaming services and are also weighted to account for economic differences between countries. The result is a graph that reflects the volume and value of streams across the region, celebrating the biggest songs of the week.
High resolution photo of Rema, the first #1 artist on the official MENA chart, available here.
The Official Top 10 of the MENA Ranking – Friday the 18the – Thursday 24e November 2022
