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Derived from the Arabic word for the plural of “she,” Hunna is a groundbreaking initiative that celebrates women, amplifying female voices across the Middle East and beyond while carving out space for them within the global music industry.
Founded by MDLBEAST in Saudi Arabia, the region’s leading music and entertainment platform, Hunna has quickly grown into one of the most dynamic programmes of its kind. Now in its third year, it continues to shape the next generation of talent through a carefully designed mentorship scheme that pairs emerging artists with pioneering figures across the industry.
The journey begins with a rigorous selection process, before mentees are matched with mentors who not only share their expertise but also open doors through knowledge, skill, and networks. Running from July to November, the four-month mentorship is tailor-made to each participant’s ambitions, offering one-to-one guidance, listening circles, community sessions, and industry events.
At its essence, Hunna is about building a network of women who collaborate, support, and uplift one another. Today, that community spans more than 200 women across the GCC.
2025 Hunna Mentee & Mentor pairs
This year’s programme highlights the extraordinary breadth of female creativity in the region.
Palestinian-Jordanian singer Lina Sleibi joins American-Palestinian artist Lina Makoul in celebrating their shared roots through music. Tunisian entrepreneur Chaima Soudani is guided by Celine Hitti, Head of Artist Services MENA at Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies.
Electronic pop artist Nadine Lingawi, also known as Fulana, works under the mentorship of Emmy-nominated composer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Hannah Peel, alongside Montréal-based experimental musician Liliane Chlela.
Saudi composer and pianist Nora Aljebrin learns from Nadin Al Khalidi, the magnetic lead vocalist of Sweden’s Tarabband, while DJ and producer Lena Chercaoui is paired with none other than Cosmicat, the Saudi powerhouse redefining the global DJ scene.
For mentees, Hunna is a transformative opportunity – one that provides career-shaping insights, personalised support, and invaluable connections for the future. For mentors, it is a chance to give back to the industry by passing on wisdom and creating pathways for the next wave of female talent.
More than a mentorship, Hunna by MDLBEAST is cultivating a future that is inclusive, positive, and unapologetically women-led. It is about protecting creative space while ensuring women not only have a seat at the table but are also shaping the rhythm of the industry itself.
