Music of Saudi Arabia

Arab music
Algeria	Bahrain
Egypt	Iraq
Islamic	Jordan
Kuwait	Lebanon
Libya	Morocco
Oman	Palestine
Qatar	Saudi Arabia
Syria	Tunisia
UAE	Yemen

Both Western and traditional music are very popular in Saudi Arabia. Like many of its Persian Gulf neighbors, khaleeji folk traditions are popular styles. The most distinguished musician in recent Saudi history is Tariq Abdul Haqim, who wrote the Saudi national anthem. Later musicians include the pan-Arab star Mohamed Abdu, Saudi Arabia's first pop star Abdu Majeed and Abdullah and the 'ud virtuoso Abadi al Johar. Egyptian pop music is also popular.

References

Badley, Bill. "Sounds of the Arabian Peninsula". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 351-354. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0

For Folk traditions, see:

Urkevich, Lisa. "Saudi Arabia." The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 2nd ed. Ed. Stanley Sadie. London: Macmillan, 2000. <http://www.grovemusic.com>

Link: <http://www.urkevich.com>: specialist in music of the Arabian peninsula, esp. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait