Something new is happening around the UAE National Anthem, and it is open to anyone with a voice or a sound.
MusicNation has put out a public call for artists to record their own version of Ishy Bilady, inviting singers, rappers, instrumentalists, and producers to take part. Selected submissions will be included in a final collaborative track, with an official video produced by Beautiful Destinations, powered by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
The idea is simple: record your version, upload it, and become part of a national music project.
MusicNation Opens the UAE National Anthem to Public Submissions
MusicNation is leading the campaign, asking creators to take the anthem in their own creative direction while keeping its core identity intact.
Participants submit recordings through a form on the MusicNation website, entering personal details and uploading an audio file. The campaign is clear on one point: AI-generated submissions are not accepted. Every entry must be an authentic human performance.
MusicNation is not a newcomer to the space. It is the UAE's first collectively managed music rights organization, officially licensed by the Ministry of Economy. Its core role is protecting and managing rights for artists, songwriters, and performers across the country. This campaign adds a public-facing moment to that mission, placing artists directly inside a national project.
Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Founder and Chairwoman of MusicNation, described the initiative as a reflection of music's power to unite: "Music has always been a powerful way to bring people together, especially in moments that call for reflection and unity."
A Familiar Format With a Broader Creative Layer
This open invitation connects to earlier national efforts tied to the anthem.
In previous initiatives, residents from different backgrounds were invited to submit their own recordings of the UAE National Anthem. Selected entries were featured in official productions, giving the public a visible role in how the anthem is presented.
The current MusicNation campaign follows that same spirit while pushing into a wider mix of genres and styles. The call is not limited to traditional vocals — it includes rap, production, and instrumental interpretations, opening the door to a broader creative scene. Orchestral, acoustic, electronic, and cross-cultural approaches are all welcome.
Ishy Bilady: The Anthem at the Center of the Project
The UAE National Anthem, known as Ishy Bilady (Long Live My Nation), has been part of the country's identity since 1971, with lyrics formally added in 1986.
This campaign keeps that foundation in place while inviting artists to reinterpret it through their own sound. The goal is a collective version made up of multiple voices and styles — a tribute that highlights unity and expression through music.
Artists selected will appear in the final track and feature in the official video produced by Beautiful Destinations Academy.
How to Submit Your Recording
Submissions are open through the official link provided by MusicNation. Artists upload their recordings directly on the platform, with selections based on originality, creativity, and artistic interpretation.
There is no confirmed timeline yet for when the final version will be released.
The UAE National Anthem is getting a new creative moment — this time shaped by the public. With MusicNation behind the campaign and a clear submission path in place, the project puts artists directly into the process. From vocals to production, every entry adds a different take on a familiar piece of music.
For anyone who has ever wanted their sound tied to something bigger, this is the kind of opportunity that does not come around often.
