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DUBAI: Saudi icon Abdul Majeed Abdullah is the first Arab to feature in Billboard’s inaugural Global No. 1s series, alongside international superstars such as British pop singer Dua Lipa, Chinese singer-songwriter Yang Kun and Indian performer Diljit Dosanjh, among others.

The series aims to honour artists who have significantly shaped the global music scene. Its inaugural rollout featured 12 cover stories that highlighted last year’s chart-topping artists from around the world. 

This recognition comes shortly after the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards ceremony that took place in Riyadh in December. During the event, the Saudi performer was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, along with the Artist of the Year in the Khaleeji Dialect trophy and the Best Artist in the Khaleeji Dialect award.

“Abdul Majeed Abdullah’s inclusion in our inaugural Billboard Global No. 1s series marks a significant recognition for an Arab artist and highlights the growing presence of Saudi and Arabic music on the global stage,” Hannah Karp, Billboard’s Editorial Director, said in a released statement “This series is a powerful demonstration of Billboard’s global reach and impact, celebrating the artists who shape music culture around the world.”

Rami Zeidan, Managing Director of Billboard Arabia, added: "The presence of Saudi and Arabic music, represented by Abdul Majeed Abdullah, is a source of pride, showcasing the remarkable journey of Arabic music to the world’s most prominent platforms." He highlighted the ambitious role played by Billboard Arabia and its newly launched awards in spotlighting the achievements of Arab artists and fostering connections with global platforms and partnerships.

Since the launch of the Billboard Arabia charts in December 2023, Abdullah has consistently appeared on both the Billboard Arabia Hot 100 and Billboard Arabia Artist 100 charts.

The Global No. 1s series features covers from Billboard Korea, Billboard Italia, Billboard Philippines, Billboard Español, Billboard Argentina, Billboard Canada, Billboard Georgia and Billboard Arabia. Spotlighted stars included IU, an icon of South Korean music and cinema; Geolier, Italy’s breakout hip-hop star; BINI, a Filipino girl group; Edgar Barrera, the award-winning Mexican songwriter and producer; Valentino Merlo & The La Planta, Argentina’s genre-defying artists; Diljit Dosanjh, Canada’s celebrated Punjabi artist; Giorgi Gigashvili, Georgia’s classical prodigy.

DUBAI: The biggest rock tour of all time (amassing $1 billion and counting) graced Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports Stadium this week in a dizzying flurry of fireworks displays, endless streams of confetti, and celestial bodies that floated over audiences’ heads ever so gracefully.

British rockers Coldplay brought their lauded “Music of the Spheres” tour to the UAE, delivering an unforgettable evening that showcased the band’s enduring appeal and innovative artistry.

The seamless production, relying heavily on visuals and everything from streamers to pyrotechnics, was led by the band’s lead vocalist Chris Martin, who deftly deployed his practiced charisma to work the crowd into a frenzy.

In addition to speaking in fluent Arabic multiple times, Martin went beyond the prescribed amount of obligatory shoutouts to include thoughtful audience interaction.

The band opened their two-hour set with the energetic “Higher Power,” immediately energizing the crowd as their wristbands (dubbed Xylobands by fans) ignited in an explosion of color. Over the course of the evening, they delivered a carefully curated setlist that blended old favorites like “Yellow,” “The Scientist,” and “Viva La Vida” with tracks from their latest album, “Music of the Spheres.”

Opening act Elyanna, a Palestinian-Chilean artist, delivered a striking performance with songs like “Ganeni” and “Mama Eh.” Her duet with Coldplay on “We Pray” was a standout moment of the night.

Coldplay’s dedication to sustainability remained a core feature of the tour. From the use of renewable energy to power their shows to their pledge to reduce carbon emissions, the band demonstrated their efforts to set new standards for environmentally conscious touring.

Ultimately, Coldplay’s Abu Dhabi show was a masterful display of artistry, theatrics and connection. From the immersive visuals to the emotional highs of their music, the concert felt both intimate and epic — a testament to the band’s ability to unite a global audience through their craft.