'Sonic Inequalities' Exposes the Digital Struggles of Arab Musicians

'Sonic Inequalities' is the latest initiative spearheaded by researcher Sarah Kuhail, in collaboration with a diverse group of artists from the MENA region, including YA Z AN, MakiMakkuk, Julmud, and Arwa Ismail. The project delves into the complex challenges Arab musicians face when navigating music streaming platforms - challenges that go beyond the global issues artists already encounter. Through research, workshops and data-driven artistic creation, 'Sonic Inequalities' offers a critical lens on the intersection of technology, labor, and music in the region.

As streaming apps have risen to prominence, they’ve often come under fire for their inequitable distribution of profits, disproportionate exposure opportunities and the difficulties smaller artists face in gaining visibility. For Arab musicians, these barriers are compounded by technological and financial disparities across the MENA region, widening the already significant digital divide. Kuhail’s research focuses specifically on these issues, drawing from the experiences of local artists who struggle with promoting and publishing their work online.

To better understand these inequalities, Kuhail and her team organized artistic workshops in Palestine and Jordan, gathering input and data from local musicians. This data was then sonified - transformed into sound using specialized software - producing a unique auditory representation of the structural inequalities embedded within streaming services. This sonified data became the foundation for five artists to create their own musical interpretations of these inequalities, blending technology, art, and critical commentary.

Through their tracks, the participating artists highlight the disparities within digital infrastructures and the constraints that continue to plague artists in the MENA region. Despite the democratizing potential of music streaming platforms, technological and financial barriers persist, particularly for Arab musicians. The project’s exploration of Web 3.0 technology suggests that alternative digital frameworks might offer more equitable solutions in the future.

The outcome of this collaboration is not just an artistic showcase, but also a call to action to address the region's growing digital gap. By raising awareness of these issues through music, 'Sonic Inequalities' fosters a deeper understanding of the need for more inclusive and supportive infrastructures for Arab musicians in the digital age.

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