Digital technology has always been a passion for California-based rapper and music producer Arabian Prince. Now the founding member of N.W.A. is helping the Middle Eastern music industry embrace all the possibilities of digital innovation.
On the streets of Compton, California in the early 1980s, it was computer technology and electronics that helped DJ and musician Arabian Prince stay out of trouble and find fame as a founding member of legendary rap group N.W.A.
Now his obsession for innovating and finding new ways of self-expression is taking him in an unexpected direction—to the thriving music industry of the Middle East.
“When I heard about how Middle East producers and musicians are pushing the boundaries and introducing innovative music ideas, I just knew I had to be a part of this new wave of creativity,” says Arabian Prince.
Arabian Prince will be one of the biggest names at the second XP Music Futures conference on the last three days of November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dedicated to forging a bright future for the music industry of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the conference will consist of interactive workshops, panel discussions and multiple nightlife events, all designed to inject new energy and ideas into the regional music scene.
“XP stands for express, explore and experience,” says Talal Albahiti, the Chief Operating Officer of MDL Beast, which produces XP Music Futures and the giant Soundstorm festival that begins right after the conference. “XP Music Futures is a place where artists, managers, entrepreneurs, producers and policymakers can meet, make connections and help grow our industry all across the region.”
It is the perfect setting for Arabian Prince to share his lifelong passion for using technology to transform music production and create new opportunities for young artists.
At the age of just 16, the rapper and songwriter used the proceeds from his first record to buy a computer and learn how to sequence music and write code. That led to a successful parallel career in animation and video game production.
“Music is the language of the world. The one thing we all have in common is our love for music. Technology can help spread that love.”
Arabian Prince
Some four decades later, and Arabian Prince says that he is amazed by the potential for recent innovations such as blockchain and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to help creators monetize their music and receive fair royalty payments.
At the same time, digital technology has made it easier than ever before for young artists to create music and find new audiences.
“In our day we needed big synths, sequencers and recording studios. The new generation can express themselves much quicker and create music from anywhere.”
And from his vantage point of four decades of experience of music and technology, Arabian Prince says the time is now right for the sounds of the Middle East to take on the world.
“Local producers are expanding their thinking. They are finding new possibilities to be innovative and introduce different music styles and fresh, authentic ideas. I cannot wait to see what this new journey will bring.”
Published as branded content in WIRED magazine
