PopArabia
Abu Dhabi music publisher for the Middle East and North Africa, co-owner of the Egyptian label 100COPIES.
- Based in
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Founded
- 2011
- Founder
- Hussain Yoosuf
- Website
- poparabia.com
PopArabia is a music publisher and independent music company for the Middle East and North Africa, founded in 2011 by the Canadian music executive Hussain Yoosuf, who works as Spek, with support from twofour54, the Abu Dhabi media zone. Spek is president. The company handles publishing administration, catalogue acquisition, label operations and joint ventures with regional labels.
Its North African business is substantial rather than incidental. In 2022 PopArabia and Reservoir Media jointly acquired the Egyptian label 100COPIES and formed a joint venture with it to sign and develop Egyptian artists. 100COPIES made early investments in mahraganat, the Cairo street genre built from Arabic rap, electronic production and Egyptian folk elements. The two companies have since completed further deals in Egypt.
PopArabia has been Reservoir’s MENA partner since 2020, in a stated effort to assemble the largest holding of Arabic music copyrights. It also acquired the regional label and distributor Viral Wave. For an African directory it matters mainly as the route through which a large share of Egyptian repertoire is now administered.