She Leads, She Sounds: Hunna Launches 2025 Mentorship and Workshop Series Ahead of XP Music Futures

In a region where sound is power and stories deserve center stage, Hunna is once again turning up the volume.

The women-led collective that has fast become one of MENA’s most impactful voices in music just launched the 2025 edition of its Mentorship Program and Workshop Series, with a mission as clear as ever: to amplify, connect, and champion female creatives shaping the sonic future of the Arab world.

From Cairo to Amman, Beirut to Riyadh, Hunna has grown into a vital network with over 120 active members—and counting. Built on the belief that representation matters and that talent deserves tools, the program blends monthly one-on-one mentorship, community moments, and tailored development plans, all leading to the yearly climax: The Hunna Gathering at XP Music Futures, happening December 4–6 in Riyadh.

This year’s mentorship cohort features a powerful cast of women handpicked from the MENA region and its diaspora, each matched with an established professional shaping the music scene globally. From Tunisian music entrepreneur Chaima Soudani to Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist Lina Sleibi, the mentees are rewriting narratives, with guidance from industry forces like Cosmicat, Lina Makoul, and Hannah Peel.

Selection was no small feat. A dual-panel system—bringing together institutional know-how and lived experience—ensured that every mentee wasn’t just promising, but ready to rise. It’s mentorship, yes—but also matchmaking between brilliance and opportunity.

As for what’s next? Hunna’s monthly workshops are live and kicking. The first stop is August 20 at Beast House in Riyadh with Laughta and Cosmicat, followed by a virtual masterclass, “Plan A Release,” with Lina ElSahli of MDLBEAST Records. Whether it’s learning how to produce, perform live, or release a track like a pro, Hunna isn’t gatekeeping. It's opening the doors—wide.

This year also includes a Marrakech Listening Circle and an intimate dinner experience in Riyadh. And as XP Music Futures nears, so does a chance for real-world impact, with mentees showcasing their work in a space that matters.

At its core, Hunna—Arabic for “they (feminine)”—is rewriting the rules. It’s about more than representation. It’s about professionalization, collaboration, and giving women in music the chance to thrive on their own terms. With every beat, every lyric, every late-night studio session—Hunna is helping redefine what the Arab music landscape looks and sounds like.

For the dreamers, the producers, the singers, and the strategists—this one’s for you.