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6 Arab Musicians Triumph In TikTok MENA LIVE’s #GimmeTheMic
Aimed at discovering talented music creators, the competition has already revealed some of the most promising regional acts.
The TikTok LIVE #GimmeTheMic competition has concluded, providing a platform for rising musicians across the MENA region to share their unique sounds. The grand finale, held on September 9 at the Theatre of Digital Art and streamed live on the @TikTokLive_MENA page, featured standout performances from the finalists, all vying to represent the MENA region on the world stage.
Since debuting last year, #GimmeTheMic has evolved into more than just a competition. It has become a showcase of creativity, resonating with TikTok’s vast community. Aimed at discovering and promoting talented music creators, this initiative has already revealed some of the most promising artists in the region. The 12 finalists, chosen through in-app voting by TikTok users, are part of a new wave of talent ready to make their global mark.
The road to the final performance was marked by intense preparation and overseen by an esteemed panel of judges. Celebrity experts included Arab pop sensation Sandy, Syrian singer and actor Samo Zaen — winner of the Best Middle East Artist Award — and Moroccan artist Grini, a recipient of the MTV European Music Award.
Through dedicated coaching sessions, the judges offered insights and personal experiences from their own careers. The sessions helped the contestants not only improve their skills but also gain confidence in their abilities. As a result, the competition served as a unique learning experience for all participants.
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Reflecting on the event, Samo Zaen noted, “These performers aren’t just picking up the mic; they’re taking control. TikTok has become a space for artists to showcase their work and connect with a global audience”.
The competition’s six winners — Fathy Samir (@fathysamirrofficial), Balqees Raed (@balqees7890), Ahmed Yaser (@ahmedyassersinger), Amira Aly (@merooamira000), Jan Georg (@jaaan.official), and Amr Tarek (@amrtarek.tv) — will now represent the MENA region in the global #GimmeTheMic contest. Their success in the competition has already set the stage for a brighter future in the region’s music industry, fostering a community of creators passionate about sharing their craft with the world.
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LUVED Is A New Curated Preloved Marketplace For The UAE
Sellers keep 100 percent of every sale and AI can build a listing in five seconds — though the app’s smartest tools are still coming.
Secondhand shopping has become mainstream in the UAE, but the experience is still scattered across resale sites, social media and informal group chats. LUVED, a mobile-first marketplace that launched in Dubai this month, is betting it can pull that activity into one place — and that the thing buyers and sellers actually want is not more inventory, but trust.
The app trades in what it calls circular luxury: preloved fashion and lifestyle pieces across men’s, women’s and children’s categories, bought, sold or given away peer to peer. Its main pitch is economics, with sellers keeping 100 percent of every sale under a zero-commission, fast payout model, while buyers are promised vetted pieces at lower prices.
Where LUVED is staking its reputation is verification. Sellers pass a KYC check, and items run through a two-layer authentication system powered by Entrupy that pairs instant AI screening with human expert review for high-value pieces. Authenticity certificates travel with each item, payments sit in escrow, and a buyer-protection package the company calls The Safety Net adds a 48-hour return window and dispute resolution. Door-to-door logistics removes the in-person meetups that make most resale deals awkward.
An in-app assistant called Luvbot — offering selling insights and demand-based recommendations — is soon to be introduced to the platform. Other features include autofill and dynamic pricing that lets users build a listing in as little as five seconds from three photos, plus a swipe-based feed, story-style drops and in-app chat in English and Arabic. Finally, a gifting layer, Luved & Gifted, lets users pass items to others inside the app rather than sell them.
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“After moving to Dubai, I saw how difficult it was to sell or even give things away,” says founder and CEO Shaima Sibtain. The friction is real, and so is the competition. In resale, trust is won transaction by transaction — and that is the test LUVED has set itself.
The app is live on the App Store now, with Google Play to follow. The company also plans to expand across the region, which will be the real test for a marketplace staking everything on trust.
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