YouTube has released its annual lists ranking the top moments, creators, and music on the platform across the Middle East & North Africa. For the first time, YouTube also unveiled the Top Topics in MENA, which highlight the top moments in news, trends, pop-culture, and more that resonated across the platform.
“This year’s YouTube End-of-Year lists reveal how YouTube mirrors the most important events in MENA,” said Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube in the Middle East & North Africa. “From breaking news and sporting moments to the latest gaming trends and breakout musical artists, these lists showcase how creators give life to MENA’s most important stories, sharing their perspectives and engage audiences across diverse formats – including Shorts, long-form videos, live streams, and podcasts – on the topics that matter most to them.”
MENA region’s top YouTube creators:
- AboFlah: Kuwaiti gaming sensation continues to top YouTube’s top creators lists for the fourth year in a row with over 43 million subscribers, his videos have amassed more than 6.5 billion views.
- Majd Alzakout: UAE-based Syrian artist & lifestyle creator Majd continues to gain popularity across MENA, with over 2.2 billion views, including his most popular shorts video with over 47 million views.
- BanderitaX: Saudi gaming creator Bandar’s authenticity continues to attract audiences across MENA with over 5.4 billion views and 18.1 million subscribers.
- Abo Nooh: Saudi Gaming creator Abo Nooh appeared in the top trending creators list for the second year in the row.
- Shawar: Egyptian creator Shawar’s humour captured the attention of over 13.1 million subscribers. His top three shorts have over 383 million views alone.
- ShongxBong: Another force in the world of gaming content, Saudi Arabia’s SHoNgxBoNg’s unique gaming style continues to attract billions of views.
- Alkaisr: Egyptian multiformat comedy creator Alkaisr’s blend of long-form, livestream and shorts amassed over 7 billion views.
- Abo Rany: Palestinian creator Abo Rany’s daily vlogs caught the attention of over 3 million subscribers.
- POWR Suhaib: Saudi-based Palestinian creator Suhaib is another renowned name in the world of gaming in Saudi Arabia with over 7.3 million subscribers.
- Alkhal Mahdi: Lebanon based Mahdi’s skits and mini-dramedies have amassed over 678 million views.
Top Songs
- Tamer Ashor – Haygyly Mawgoo3 (Egypt)
- Mohamed Lazaar (Lazaro) – Mahboul Ana (Morocco)
- Mahmoud El Leithy – Am Elmagaal (Egypt)
- Assala & Ahmed Saad – Sabab Farhity (Syria & Egypt)
- Assala – Fouq (Syria)
- Cheb Hichem Tgv – Fatou Liyam (Algeria)
- Lbenj – Hawasy (Morocco)
- Wael Jassar – Koul Waad (Lebanon)
- Cheb Hamidou – 3achkek idman (Algeria)
- AL SHAMI – Sabran (Syria)
Gaming
The top trending topics on YouTube in 2024 including games like EA Sports FC 24, Free Fire MAX and Poppy Playtime. At the same time gaming creators like AboFlah, BanderitaX, ShongBong, Abo Noo7, POWR Suhaib topped YouTube’s Top Creators list, reflecting the growing popularity of gaming content and content creators on YouTube.
Pop Culture, Entertainment & Trends
YouTube native dating reality show “Qesma w Naseeb” was also among the Trending Topics in MENA. YouTube data indicates that there were over 1 billion views of videos on Qesma w Naseeb’s official channel this year alone. The Asoka makeup trend also made waves in the trending topics with people styling with traditional Indian bridal hair, makeup, and outfits.
Breakout musician Al Shami also featured in YouTube’s Trending topics and Top songs for 2024 reflecting his growing popularity across the region. Mohamed Lazaar’s (Lazaro) breakout success with his single “Mahboul Ana” reached the top songs chart exemplifies YouTube’s ability to propel emerging artists to new heights of recognition. Tamer Ashour’s “Haygyly Mawgoo” and Mohamed Lazar’s “Mahboul Ana” were the top two songs on YouTube.
Now all we have our Spotify wrapped to look forward to…