News
Dubai Media City Launches MUSIC_ON Series to Amplify the UAE’s Growing Music Scene

Dubai Media City has launched a new Instagram Live series called MUSIC_ON that brings together experts in music for an insightful and educational conversation about the opportunities and drawbacks present in the UAE’s evolving music scene. The inaugural session brought together Freek, a UAE-based Somalian rapper, director and record producer, and Mark Hill, a media lawyer specialised in media and entertainment, intellectual property and technology.
Freek is considered a pioneer in the GCC & Arab underground music scene, boasting a prolific work rate and a discography of catchy hits such as ‘Wala Kilmaʼ “Aslan ‘adi” and “Mush Fathi”; he was also selected to compose a feature song in a recent Adidas marketing campaign for Egyptian Liverpool striker, Mohamed Salah. He opened for famed Hip Hop artists Future and Gucci Mane, during the 2019 Yasalam F1 After-Race Concert and has had the opportunity to tour in the United Kingdom.
Mark Hill has been based in Dubai since 1999, and is regarded as one of the leading IP, Media and Technology lawyers in the region. Hill stands on the board of various companies from the sectors in which he operates including key industry organisations such as the Middle East International Live Events Association (ILEA) and as board advisor to the UAE’s Production Forum. He has received multiple awards from industry and legal publications, including being the first recipient of the Digital Studio Service to the Industry award for his contributions to the production, broadcast and film industries in the region
The inaugural MUSIC_ON session was rich with information, lasting almost two hours, and included subjects such as artists coping with the impact of COVID-19, resumption of live music events, the protection of intellectual property and the gaps present within the region’s music infrastructure.
Speaking from the lens of an artist being affected by the impact of COVID-19, Freek said: “An artist’s best pleasure is performing in front of others, it’s difficult to flourish without that aspect. However, opportunities have arisen in entertainment and specifically in music since the COVID-19 pandemic began. As an artist, I find that I have more breathing space to proactively think about creative and collaborative opportunities.”
Mark Hill added, “One of the positives that I have witnessed come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, from a creative aspect, is the increase in community-building. People have been forced to pause their routine, which has resulted in increased collaboration between artists and creatives within the community. That, in turn, should result in the community growing and evolving at a faster rate than before.”
On the importance of artists educating themselves about their rights, Freek said, “I have realised that when it comes to understanding the legal aspect of music, there is a long way for artists to go. Many of my peers struggle to maximise the financial benefit of the music tracks and compilations that they release. I believe the region is still at an early stage when it comes to educating itself and leveraging upon the legal side of music, but talking to entertainment lawyers such as you [Mark Hill], is a step in the right direction.”
In response to that, Hill said, “It is important for regional artists and creatives to preserve and capitalise on their intellectual property, and this currently requires artists to consider individual contracts, especially when licensing out their music to brands or campaigns. The best advice I can give artists is to talk to an entertainment lawyer to help them understand what is possible, what isn’t and ultimately what is recommended. For instance, when it comes to licensing out music for campaigns and figuring out how much a fair price is, it is important for artists to ask themselves three questions: What purpose is the music serving, where will the campaign be aired and what the duration of the campaign is.”

Gadgets
ASUS ROG Elevates Handheld Gaming with New ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Models

ASUS Republic of Gamers has partnered with Xbox to introduce the next generation of portable gaming: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. These premium handheld devices merge console-quality performance with PC versatility in an ergonomic design, setting a new standard for gaming on the go.
The new series features a completely reimagined chassis designed for extended play sessions, with comfort-focused ergonomics inspired by Xbox controllers. The flagship Ally X model takes immersion to the next level with advanced impulse triggers that deliver precise haptic feedback, mirroring the premium console gaming experience.
Powering these devices are cutting-edge AMD processors tailored for handheld gaming. The standard Ally model features the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor, while the high-end Ally X boasts the more powerful Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor. Both chipsets are engineered to balance performance and efficiency, enabling smooth gameplay across all genres while optimising battery life.
Running on Windows 11 with a customised Xbox interface, the devices offer the best of both worlds: seamless access to Xbox Game Pass alongside the full flexibility of a Windows PC. The optimised software environment provides quick access to games and settings, creating a console-like experience while maintaining the open ecosystem PC gamers expect.
The ROG Xbox Ally series represents a significant evolution in portable gaming technology, combining Xbox’s gaming expertise with ASUS ROG’s hardware innovation. Gamers in the UAE can look forward to the devices launching later this year, with regional pricing and availability details to be announced in the coming months.
This collaboration marks a major milestone for handheld gaming, offering players unprecedented freedom to enjoy their favorite games anywhere without compromising on performance, comfort, or game library access. The ROG Xbox Ally series demonstrates ASUS’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming technology in the Middle East and worldwide.
Components
Acer Launches New Nitro GPUs Offering Both AMD and Intel Variants

Acer has unveiled an expansion of its graphics card lineup with the introduction of new Acer Nitro Intel Arc A and B Series models alongside high-performance Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9060 XT OC graphics cards. Designed specifically for gamers and creators building custom PCs, these new offerings deliver exceptional gameplay performance, seamless content creation capabilities, and stunning visual fidelity to help enthusiasts maximize their systems.
The new Nitro graphics cards combine durability and smart features in their design. All models feature sturdy aluminum backplates and rigid construction to withstand intensive use. They incorporate Acer Intelligence Space, an AI-powered hub that automatically detects system hardware, recommends optimization tools, and suggests compatible applications. For gamers, Acer Game Assistance provides competitive advantages through adaptive aim technology, while Acer ProCam automatically captures and saves gameplay highlights.
The product lineup includes two Intel Arc-based models. The Acer Nitro Intel Arc B580 OC 12GB, now available in both white and black variants, boasts clock speeds up to 2,740 MHz and supports high-FPS 1440p gaming up to 8K resolution. Its Intel Xe2 architecture with DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing, mesh shaders, and variable rate shading. The card also incorporates Intel XeSS Frame Generation for higher framerates and Xe Low Latency technology to reduce input lag. Cooling is handled by the efficient FrostBlade system which operates 8% quieter than conventional plastic fans.
For compact builds, the Acer Nitro Intel Arc A380 LP 6GB offers a game clock up to 2,000 MHz in a low-profile design. It features the same Xe-core architecture with AI acceleration capabilities, supporting demanding workloads including 8K HDR video processing and AV1 encoding. The blower-style cooling system ensures effective thermal management in smaller cases.
The AMD-powered options include two Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9060 XT OC models launching in June – a 16GB version and an 8GB variant. Both deliver boost clocks up to 3,320 MHz and game clocks up to 2,780 MHz using AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture with dedicated ray tracing and AI accelerators. These cards support 8K gaming and content creation, featuring AMD HYPR-RX for reduced latency and FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 for enhanced image quality and framerates. The dual axial fan cooling system maintains optimal temperatures during intensive sessions.
Pricing starts at $329 for the Acer Nitro Intel Arc B580 OC 12GB, currently available in EMEA markets. The Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9060 XT OC 16GB will debut at $649.99, with the 8GB model priced at $599.99, both arriving in June 2025.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login