By Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman, Music Nation

We rarely pause to think about the impact of music in our daily lives, yet it is one of the most powerful forces shaping our human experience. A song can be the anthem of a generation, a melody can carry us through grief, and a rhythm can unite thousands in moments of celebration. Music is memory, emotion and identity, intertwined.

I learned early in life that music is more than entertainment – it is the heartbeat of a community, a tool for healing, and a source of hope. Imagine a wedding with no songs, a film without its score or a campaign without a soundtrack. Just imagine that silence. In branding and marketing especially, music transforms messages into experiences. A single song can amplify a brand’s story far more than visuals or words alone.

I am grateful to have witnessed the power of music from many perspectives. My legal background gave me valuable insight into the structures that protect creative industries, while my lifelong passion for music inspired me to act on a simple, but urgent truth that afflicts our region: the people behind the music – the songwriters, composers, producers, performers – deserve more than applause. They deserve protection and fair compensation. That conviction led me to found Music Nation, a collective management organization (CMO), officially appointed by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism to manage musical copyrights and ensure that royalties are paid to the creatives.

Music Nation: Bridging Creativity and Commerce

At Music Nation, our mission is twofold: to empower creators and to elevate the UAE’s creative economy. We work with musical authors, publishers, artists and record labels to manage their rights throughout the UAE. We also partner with and educate our local businesses, called general licensees (restaurants, coffee shops, cinemas, gyms, hotels, retail establishments, etc.), on the UAE’s expanded copyrights law to help them stay legally compliant. If you are a business that uses music, you are now required to obtain a music license. Around the developed world this is not novel, it is standard. Our leadership has always actively refined our frameworks, when required, to meet global standards and even go beyond, and musical intellectual property rights protection will play a substantial role in developing our music economy. By compensating our creatives, we help them to build and sustain careers in music. They, in turn, create even higher quality music, which enhances the customer experience and becomes an exportable product and an important contributor to our GDP. 

Mentorship, legal literacy and community-building are central to our approach. We advocate for artists by providing them with the knowledge and tools to navigate music licensing and royalties. Equally, we guide businesses on how to use music lawfully. When brands and businesses understand the value of compliance, they not only safeguard themselves legally, but also strengthen their identity by aligning with creators in a way that is respectful and mutually rewarding.

The conversation around music rights is not only about fairness – it is about future-proofing industries. Brands that respect creative rights are investing in authenticity, and in doing so, they connect with audiences more deeply. In the age of digital storytelling, music is the anchor of emotional resonance.

Music’s Economic Power: An Engine for National Growth

Globally, music is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the creative economy. It fuels employment, tourism and innovation, touching everything from technology to urban development. The UAE has recognized this potential. Through Vision 2031, our nation has placed the creative sector, of which music is a cornerstone, at the heart of its ambition to become a global hub for culture and talent.

This vision is not aspirational alone – it is underpinned by action. Federal Law No. 38 of 2021 introduced comprehensive reforms to copyright and intellectual property rights, aligning the UAE with international treaties and giving unprecedented protection to musical authors, performers and rights holders. This is nothing short of an historic achievement. The UAE also pioneered the Cultural Visa Program, the first of its kind in the region, granting long-term residency to creative professionals. These measures reveal a bold strategy – in the UAE, culture is also a major driver of development.

By strengthening our music ecosystem, we are not only nurturing local talent, but also positioning the UAE as a global leader where creativity is celebrated, protected and rewarded.

A Shared Responsibility

For music to thrive, the responsibility cannot rest solely on policymakers. It is shared amongst businesses, media, institutions and the public. Each stakeholder has a role to play in creating an ecosystem where creativity is valued.

When a brand licenses a song, it validates the work of the creators behind that song. When venues commit to the lawful use of music, they contribute to a culture of respect. When audiences demand authenticity, they empower creators to elevate their craft. Collectively, these actions ensure that our music industry is built on sustainable ground and great opportunity.

Music is not just entertainment – it is a shared language, a cultural asset and a driver of economic value. By appreciating its impact and standing behind the people who create it, we can transform applause into legacy and lasting progress.