XP 2022| BOARD OF ADVISORS & ADVOCATES
XP is dedicated to being an inclusive and representative platform for the region's music industry. One way of ensuring such diversity is with our trusty Board of Advocates who are regionally-based supporters of the music scene and Advisors who are industry titans that have extensive experience within the international underground music scene. They are appointed annually, and make sure we stay cool and relevant. They are our eyes and ears on up-and-coming talent, advise us on programming, share their expertise through thought leadership pieces, and ensure we're growing our community in all the right ways.?
This diverse team offers insights, concepts and guidance to create a cohesive event by the people, for the people. The Advocates help with outreach and understanding of communities. The Advisors help inform our day programming and knowledge production and connect XP to major industry players throughout the world to promote a sustainable global music community.
Meet our Advocates & Advisors
Our Advisors
Advisors are industry titans that have extensive experience within the international underground music scene. They act as our sounding-board as we shape XP's strategic direction and programming.
Moroccan-born Karima Damir has worked over 15 years in the regional music and entertainment industry.?Karima has vast experience in talent development, music production, marketing, licensing and artist management. After playing key roles at MTV Mena, Latinum Records, MBC, and Rotana, Karima is currently the Director for Artists and Repertoire for Sony Music Middle East. Karima played a key role in launching?the first ever Global Arabic performance in Fortnite, signing Egyptian superstar Hamaki and production power house Craft Media.
Arabian Prince is a songwriter, rapper, producer, DJ, technologist Pro Gamer, futurist and founding member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted rap group N.W.A. As a pioneering figure in the west coast electro music scene and producer of the Grammy nominated #1 hit song ‘Supersonic’, Arabian Prince is talented in so many facets. He is the founder of iNov8 Next Open Labs and is currently working to empower youth to explore the future of technology with incubator programs for the next generation of inventors.
Marcela Rada is a sound engineer with several years of experience recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio for independent artists. She is a public speaker, has coordinated multiple international music conferences, and is currently an instructor at the University of Lethbridge. Marcela's research focuses on immersive audio mixing for music and XR platforms. Her experience as a college professor and lecturer has motivated her to become a mentor for those who seek one-on-one instruction in recording and mixing techniques.
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With an extensive background in working with digital media agencies as well as global companies, Natasha Stambuli has seen the best years of the digital and entertainment industry. She is passionate about seeing African Culture and Music being elevated on the global map. As the General Manager of Boomplay Tanzania, Natasha?has managed to see through the growth of the company since its inception in the country to date. With such a successful record, she has been celebrated and awarded, making it to CEO of the year 2021 under the top 100 executives list.?
Glasgow born and raised Jenni is CEO & Co-Founder of mental health and wellbeing?non-profit Getahead, and Founder & CEO of wellbeing consultancy business Work Inspired. Jenni launched Getahead in 2018 while still working her full time job as Director of Culture & Partnerships at AEI Group. After university, music and events overtook as Jenni’s real passions and a career in this sector was the one she pursued, going onto organising events and festivals all over the world for some the industry’s biggest brands and organisations, including Renaissance, Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, Pacha, Exit Festival, UKF and more.
Our Advocates
Advocates are regionally-based supporters of the music scene – they help promote understanding, awareness, and integration between XP and the larger community.
Mohammed Bajbaa grew up in Saudi Arabia and attended his higher education in Los Angeles where he studied entrepreneurship as his major. He is a passionate entrepreneur with a solution-oriented mentality and founder of Proud Angeles and Proud X Fashion Consultancy - two highly impactful businesses in the Saudi Arabian fashion industry. Mohammed is a?forward thinker who believes he has a big part to play in the development of Saudi culture. He focuses on creating community experiences and empowering creative individuals to be themselves.?
Yara Othman
Jara has established herself as a member of Arab rap music’s next generation. In addition to being one of the first and only female rappers in Saudi as well as being able to rap in multiple languages, Jara is also pursuing multiple academic endeavors. Her single “966” was selected by Spotify’s initiative Sawtik, which aims to celebrate and support unsigned female artists from the Middle East and North Africa region.
Space Boi
Space Boi is a DJ and a producer based in Bahrain. After breaking into the scene 4 years ago, Space Boi spends his time working on electronic dance music production, specifically house and electro, although he has played a lot with ambience and hip hop production as well. He has recently started an Instagram page (@blip_music) to share the less familiar sounds of dance music and shed light on the less exposed but highly talented DJs in the region.?