Is Western Music allowed in Saudi?

In Saudi Arabia, there is no law that states that Western music is not allowed. So the answer to the question is Western music is allowed in Saudi? It is yes.

In fact, many Saudis enjoy listening to western music, and there are a number of ways to access it. For example, some Saudis listen to western music through online streaming services such as Spotify or Pandora. Others might download songs from iTunes or other online music stores. or they will buy CDs from western artists. Around 50% of the music that people listen to in Saudi is Western music. There are a number of reasons why Western music is popular in Saudi Arabia. One reason is that many Saudis feel a connection to the West because they have studied or worked in western countries. Additionally, western music is often seen as being very innovative and creative. Some Saudis simply enjoy the sound of Western music and find it very natural to listen in English as the English Language has become a huge part of their life. So overall, the answer to the question is yes, Western music is allowed in Saudi Arabia. There are no laws against it, and it is actually quite popular.

Music Censorship in Saudi Arabia

However, the government used to be known to discourage its citizens from listening to or performing western music in public. Additionally, the country’s religious leaders denounced western music as being morally corrupt. Therefore, while there is no official ban on western music, it is not widely accepted by everyone in Saudi Arabia especially some of the older generation.

Popular Music in Saudi Arabia

Popular artists in Saudi include some of the biggest stars in the World such as Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Eminem.

Traditional Saudi Arabia Music

As well as western music there are also a number of very popular Arabic singers. These include Mahmoud El Esseily, Nancy Ajram, Mohammed Ramadan and Amr Diab. While western music is popular in Saudi Arabia, there are also many traditional Saudi songs that are popular in the country. These include songs about love, patriotism, and heritage. Some of the most popular traditional Saudi songs include “Khadija,” “Ya Mahdi,” and “Ghazal Al Banat.”

Saudia Arabia Music Festival

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has begun to hold a number of music festivals. These festivals typically feature a mix of both western and Arabic music. One of the biggest festivals in recent years has been MDL Beast soundstorm in the desert. Many famous DJs have played this festival such as David Guetta, Steve Aoki, Zedd and Alesso. In other words, the MDL Beast Soundstorm is just another example of the growing popularity of Western music in Saudi Arabia. So, yes western music is allowed in Saudi, and you can also listen to more traditional music and local artists.

What has been your experience of listening to western music in Saudi? Do you have any questions on the topic you would like me to answer? If so pop them in the comments section below and I’ll make sure I get back to you!