Universal Music Group and DGMC announce strategic partnership to develop Middle East’s first-ever ‘Music City’

12 February 2024 - Press release

 Partnership will help establish the United Arab Emirates as a global music destination for creatives and fans, and will include the creation of the first Capitol Studios outside of Hollywood, live performance spaces, music education academies, and a new record label

 

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and DGMC, the emerging state-of-the-art creative facility and global destination, have announced a strategic partnership that will supercharge the Middle East region’s music community. 

DGMC’s vision is to develop a thriving, sustainable, and lasting music ecosystem in the Middle East. The ‘Music City’ development, which will be based in the UAE, will drive this vision, and serve as the regional hub for both local and international recording artists and songwriters.

DGMC and UMG’s historic partnership will see the companies work side by side to build out the ‘Music City’. This will include cutting-edge recording studios, the development of educational academies, and the creation of a new full-service label designed to support local and regional artists across every aspect of their career, including recording, touring, branding and merchandising.

The development of this music-related infrastructure, along with UMG’s deep experience in artist development, marketing, promotion as well as its extensive knowledge of operating in emerging music markets, will empower the region’s historic music community and inspire future generations of local artists and songwriters. 

At its heart, the UMG-DGMC partnership’s aim is to support and nurture talented artists and songwriters in the region and help them reach their full creative and commercial potential.                                                        

Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of DGMC, said: “We are thrilled to partner with UMG, the world’s leading music group, on this unique and exciting endeavour. Building a state-of-the-art music infrastructure and providing industry services to support aspiring musical artists is critical to our leadership’s vision to promote culture and the arts. DGMC’s initiatives will not only help to foster our regional creatives and music-related professionals, but elevate the UAE’s music economy to global levels.”

Adam Granite, Executive Vice President, Market Development, Universal Music Group, said: “We have long recognized the potential in the Middle East, and are incredibly proud to be working with world-class partners like DGMC. We share their excitement and vision to harness this potential and nurture the next generation of recording artists and songwriters. Our partnership will create a powerful platform for the incredible talent in the region and accelerate their careers at home and abroad.”

The development will include three new Capitol Studios recording studios – these will be the first-ever Capitol Studios outside of the historic Capitol Tower in Hollywood. The studios will feature a Dolby Atmos mixing room, recording studios, a “green room”, a writer’s room and a rehearsal studio. A range of must-see music experiences for fans are also planned. The label will be a joint venture between UMG and DGMC and will sign and develop local artists, helping them instead to become global ones. 

Educational academies will offer structured curriculum courses as well as special “Master Classes” hosted by top talent in the industry, to empower future generations to master both creative and business facets of the industry.

These initiatives will not only contribute to the development of a thriving creative ecosystem in the UAE, but also foster the growth of the music community in the region.