The Middle East might be home to some of the most luxurious and exclusive nightclubs in the world, functioning as a niche hot spot for the best DJs in the Middle East to gain international relevance in a region so culturally diverse.
Looking into the Arab world, there’s a diverse mix of music preferences that has over time become a melting pot of experimental new genres taking inspiration from cultural rhythms intertwined with international beats. The fusion of various sounds and ever-evolving genres creates raw and unique tunes from talents exploring global sounds to match their capabilities and artistry within the region.
Discover the top 10 DJs in the Middle East that should be headlining your must-see bucket list music experiences
DJ Rodge
When it comes to electronic dance mixes, there’s no one bigger than DJ Rodge. One of the biggest DJs in Lebanon, Roger Saad is renowned for his electronic beats and innate ability to move a crowd and electrify the dance floor. Having a plethora of world-famous opening acts in Dubai for artists such as Jason Derulo, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, and David Guetta to name a few, his reputation in the Middle East clubbing world goes beyond comparison as his work and musical talents borders on the line of legendary.
A visionary leader in the Middle Eastern music industry, DJ Rodge launched his own radio station called Mix FM in 1996, which can be credited for evolving and shaping Lebanon’s music scene on an international scale. Currently having more than 870k fans admiring his influence on Instagram, his first ever single, Done Looking For Love was a huge career breakthrough single, which has been downloaded more than 2.5 million times, making it one of the biggest tracks ever released by a regional DJ.
DJ Bliss
When it comes to music pioneers in the Middle East’s nightlife scene, especially in the UAE, there is a no bigger name than DJ Bliss. Having shared the stage with global music leaders at events such as Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi, DJ Bliss has performed with the likes of Prince, Beyonce, Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, and many more.
A forerunner in setting the stage for Dubai’s high level of clubbing expectations, Marwan Parham Al Awadhi’s musical talents and innovative producing capabilities have garnered international recognition for leading the music entertainment industry of the UAE. Far beyond the ordinary DJ, Marwan is an entrepreneur, TV personality, and one of the most influential figures in the Middle East on multiple social media platforms. From venturing into vlogging on YouTube to influential content creation on Instagram, and even reality TV of Netflix’s Dubai Bling, DJ Bliss does it all. When he’s not traveling the world, producing or creating entertaining content for all of his 778K followers, you can find him electrifying the dancefloor across the Middle East.
Malkin
A regional talent still in its infancy phase of establishing a name as a professional DJ, Malikin is fast on the horizon of becoming the fastest-growing up-and-coming DJ in the Middle East. Anchored-in-the-Middle East music entertainment company MDLBEAST, Malkin is an undeniable force when it comes to raw talent as the Jeddah-based DJ and producer Ahmad Almalki made his first-ever live performance only a year ago and already has more than 138K fans admiring his work. Malkin’s high energy and incredible musical beats are beyond compare when it comes to electrifying a crowd and setting the music scene for the EDM clubbing genre.
Karrouhat
What would you get if you mix fashion enthusiast, art student, hippy, and music lover all in one? – Karrouhat. A definite name to be reckoned with among some of the best DJs in the Middle East, Karrouhat is one of the most sought-after DJs ardently advocating to elevate Arab music into mainstream music. Kuwaiti-born and Dubai-based Basil Al-Hadi started his music career as the lead singer of a reggae band, which to this day functions as the foundation of his iconic music style by blending international reggae hits with classic Arab tunes to energise a crowd.
Al Hadi is well known for his creative vision, unique style, and bold fashion statements as he has worked with an extensive array of luxury fashion houses for private events as well as featured on the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week, and starred in campaigns for Burberry. His infectious energy, charismatic personality, and unique music are definitely a DJ to keep an eye on!
Jack Sleiman
If you think back on the summer before Covid changed all of our lives, you might reminisce about songs that made us feel we were having the time of our lives. On the top of our summer throw-back list is Jack Sleiman’s feel-good track ‘Remember’. Besides from being one of the most renowned DJs in the Middle East, Jack Sleiman is also a talented producer, in-demand radio host, and influencer. Being an award-winning DJ and legend of Beirut’s competitive clubbing scene, Jack Sleiman has collaborated with industry greats, including of course Sean Kingston and Karl Wolf.
Sonya
Polish-born and Dubai-based DJ Sonya a force to be reckoned with as not only does she knows how to spin a record, but her tricks to move and electrify a crowd has landed her in the top 10 best-ranked DJs in the Middle East. After a breakthrough moment opening for Bruno Mars at the DU Arena in Abu Dubai on NYE 2019, she’s been accumulating fame and world recognition for being part of the best 100 DJs in the world. She has performed at some of the hottest clubs worldwide, securing residences in both Dubai and Las Vegas and establishing herself as a favourite among the fashion industry set. With an upbeat signature style that seamlessly mixes hip hop, R&B, soul, and funk with Afrobeats and classic dancefloor tunes, SONYA is quite rightly renowned for getting the good times rolling and people throwing shapes.
Cosmicat
If there’s a DJ paving the way for recognition for women to become more inclusive in the UAE, then Cosmicat would be the prime example that sets the stage for other women with aspiring DJ careers to follow in her footsteps. Saudi-born and raised Nouf Sufyani, aka Cosmicat, is regarded as the Kingdom’s first and foremost female DJ and producer.
Cosmicat’s music can be viewed as her reflection of both her passion for electronic music and the influences she grew up listening to– pop, disco, R&B, and hip-hop. When performing, Cosmicat is known for the diversity and uniqueness of her music taste, using vocal riffs and samples from the ‘90s and early 2000s mixed with techno to bold-yet-melodic, crowd-pleasing effect.
Dish Dash
2 is always better than 1, especially when it comes to Saudi-born brothers Hassan and Abbas Ghazzawi. Collectively known as Dish Dash, the siblings have garnered a large following and regional recognition for being one of the most up-and-coming DJs in the Kingdom, let alone the Middle East. Their fusion of music tastes could be described as blending melodic house with techno to deliver crowd-pleasing set lists that keep people moving all night long.
Natalie Brogan
The name needs no introduction as Natalie Brogan was sure as set to feature on our best list of DJs in the Middle East. With a reputation that stretches far beyond the Middle East, Natalie Brogan has won numerous nightlife awards, played sets around the globe in cities known for being clubbing hotspots – Ibiza, Egypt, the UK, India, and Jordan included –, and has featured on line-ups alongside industry leaders such as Fat Boy Slim, MK, Eric Morillo, and David Guetta to name a few.
Deian
DJ Deian’s name was bound to be mentioned as he is one of the pioneers leading the music and festival industry in the UAE. One of the most prolific DJs in the Middle East and a regional talent developer, Deian has been instrumental in growing the music scene across the Emirates. As the founder of both the hugely popular Groove on the Grass festival and global media events and talent agency The Artists Network, he has attracted international showstoppers in an effort to internationally establish the UAE as a music destination for club enthusiasts, while simultaneously giving local artists the chance to showcase their skills to industry leaders.
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