The Hunna Gathering at XP Music Futures will once again anchor the women-led initiative’s calendar, taking place December 4-6, 2025 in Riyadh. The annual convening is more than a showcase. It’s where mentees, mentors, and alumni stand side by side, reflecting on progress while carving the next chapter for women in MENA music. For many in the network, this December moment is the heartbeat of the year. It condenses six months of mentorship, workshops, and community milestones into a living, collective celebration.
The journey to Riyadh starts long before December. July marked the announcement of six mentees from across the region and its diaspora. Each was paired with a pioneering woman shaping music globally — from BBC Radio 3’s Hannah Peel to Saudi powerhouse Cosmicat. These matches weren’t random. They followed a rigorous, anonymized process led by Hunna’s intergenerational committee of professionals and former mentees. The committee weighed artistic potential, clarity of vision, and the transformative value of mentorship before finalizing the 2025 cohort.
The mentees reflect MENA’s creative diversity: Tunisian entrepreneur Chaima Soudani, Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist Lina Sleibi, Egyptian producer Martina Ashraf, Lebanese artist Fulana, Saudi pianist Nora Aljebrin, and Moroccan DJ-producer Lena Chercaoui. Each will receive tailored development plans, monthly mentorship, and the chance to present their work at XP. Their journeys showcase how Hunna transforms ambition into lived opportunity.
Hunna 2025: Workshops, Community, and Collective Growth
If mentorship is Hunna’s backbone, workshops are its extended lifeline. Beginning August 20, the initiative launches its 2025 workshop series with an Introduction to Music Production at Beast House in Riyadh, led by Cosmicat and UK rapper Laughta. A week later, Lina ElSahli of MDLBEAST Records takes the community through the practicalities of release strategy in a masterclass titled Plan A Release.
These workshops, running monthly until November, draw on regional and international women leading in production, performance, and strategy. They are open to all community members, reinforcing Hunna’s commitment to accessibility and shared growth. October expands the calendar further with a Listening Circle in Marrakech and a special dinner and music evening back at Beast House.
Hunna’s 120-strong network now spans Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. It functions both as professional scaffolding and cultural advocacy, standing at the intersection of training, representation, and collective care. Anchored by its values of professionalization, amplification, and collaboration, Hunna continues to craft a future where women lead in music on their own terms.
The 2025 edition proves Hunna is no longer just an initiative. It’s a movement — one measured not in promises, but in connections built, skills gained, and futures shaped.
Visit their official website for updates.
