One of the most noticeable elements of Middle Eastern music influencing global pop is its iconic instruments. The earthy tones of the oud, sometimes referred to as "the grandfather of the guitar," have made cameo appearances in pop tracks by artists like Shakira and Sting. Similarly, the hauntingly beautiful ney flute and percussive darbuka drum are increasingly featured in modern compositions, adding a sense of mystique and depth to otherwise standard pop arrangements.
Take, for example, the global sensation "Mi Gente" by J Balvin and Willy William. While it’s primarily a reggaeton hit, the rhythmic structure of the song draws inspiration from darbuka drumming patterns typically found in Arabic beats. Similarly, Coldplay’s “Arabesque” (from their Everyday Life album) is a direct nod to Middle Eastern musical aesthetics, featuring a saxophone melody that intertwines with Arabic-inspired rhythms.
If you've ever felt goosebumps listening to the unpredictably winding vocals in a pop song, thank Middle Eastern music’s legacy of melisma. Melisma is the art of stretching a single syllable across multiple notes, and it has been a staple of Arabic singing for centuries. This influence has migrated from the region to Western pop through collaborations and cross-cultural exposure.
Beyoncé’s "Drunk in Love," for instance, utilizes elements of Arabic-style melisma, and it’s no coincidence: Middle Eastern vocal techniques are sought after for their ability to evoke emotion and drama. Melodically adventurous tracks like Adele’s “Skyfall” or Christina Aguilera’s vocal runs can be traced to this rich tradition. What’s truly fascinating is how producers and vocalists have taken something traditionally rooted in Arabic maqam (a musical scale system used in the Middle East) and adapted it for everything from ballads to EDM drops.
The growing appetite for boundary-breaking collaboration is another reason Middle Eastern music is now influencing global pop so heavily. Over the last decade, artists from the region have teamed up with international stars, creating a fusion of Middle Eastern and Western sounds that’s resonating with audiences around the globe.
Such collaborations are exploding on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, where user-curated playlists are less confined by language barriers. Streaming services have also led to groundbreaking discoveries of artists like Cairokee (Egypt), Leen El Hayek (Lebanon), and Israeli-Iraqi artist Dudu Tassa breaking into international ears.
Speaking of streaming platforms, the meteoric rise of apps like Spotify and TikTok has been a game-changer for Middle Eastern music. In the digital age, virality knows no borders. When TikTok dance challenges popularize tracks like a Turkish trap banger or rework an Arabic love ballad into a 15-second snippet, the soundscapes shift globally.
For instance, the Arabic EDM hit "Ya Lili" by Tunisian rapper Balti went viral not just across the Arab world, but also throughout Europe. This is emblematic of what makes Middle Eastern music so adaptable: its ability to operate simultaneously on two levels—capturing its cultural authenticity while being irresistibly catchy to a broader audience.
Artists like Amr Diab from Egypt, the iconic "Father of Mediterranean Music," influenced Madonna herself. His knack for blending traditional Arabic ballads with Western pop structures paved a blueprint for others to follow. Meanwhile, Fairouz, Lebanon’s eternal diva, remains an indirect influence on world music artists exploring Middle Eastern vocal traditions.
However, TikTok isn’t just about rediscovering legends but also about launching newcomers. Syrian artist Saint Levant, known for blending English, French, and Arabic lyrics in his neo-R&B tracks, gained traction among younger audiences precisely for this trilingual factor on TikTok.
Beyond rhythms and melodies, there’s an undeniable narrative power in Middle Eastern music that’s becoming ever more central to global pop discussions. In times of crisis, music has often served as a platform for storytelling—and the Middle East's musical output is no exception. Whether it’s protest music born of the Arab Spring or songs tackling diaspora identity, Middle Eastern artists are unafraid to blend politics and art in ways that resonate universally.
For example, artists like Hamza Namira have become icons of sociopolitical expression. His track "Eish", often labeled a soundtrack to the Egyptian Revolution, reflects the emotional pulse of a generation. Though originally region-specific, the themes of resistance, love, and hope have proven relatable beyond linguistic or geographical boundaries, similar to the way Bob Dylan’s protest songs found worldwide traction decades ago.
As the Middle Eastern influence on global pop grows, it’s clear that this is only the beginning. The world is becoming smaller, culturally speaking, and the appetite for fusion and experimentation is greater than ever. Producers and artists constantly pull from new inspirations, and cultural cross-pollination is no longer an exception—it’s now the rule.
Will we see a global superstar emerge from the Middle East in the same way that Latin America gave us Bad Bunny and K-pop gave us BTS? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure: the Middle Eastern music scene isn't just "influencing" global pop—it’s actively reshaping it.