Awakening Music
Awakening Music is a London-headquartered record label and music production company established in 2000, specializing in contemporary Islamic inspirational music and nasheeds.[1] Founded by four entrepreneurs from England and the United States, the company focuses on creating faith-based content that promotes Muslim spiritual themes through modern production techniques.[1] The label has achieved prominence by signing and developing artists such as Maher Zain, whose debut album Thank You Allah in 2010 sold over a million copies and established him as a leading figure in global Islamic music; Mesut Kurtis; Humood Alkhudher; Harris J; and Raef.[2] These artists' works, often featuring multilingual tracks blending pop, acoustic, and traditional elements, have amassed hundreds of millions of streams and views, expanding the reach of halal music beyond traditional audiences. Awakening Music has also engaged in philanthropy, directing proceeds from select releases toward humanitarian efforts, including disaster relief and education initiatives in Muslim communities.[1] In 2025, the label marked a significant development by signing its first female artist, Jaqlyn, broadening its representation within the genre while maintaining adherence to Islamic artistic guidelines that typically exclude female vocals in certain contexts.[3] Additionally, Awakening Music has partnered with streaming platforms like Apple Music to curate and lead the Islamic Music category, facilitating wider accessibility and recognition of the genre.[4] This positioning underscores its role in professionalizing and globalizing a niche market historically dominated by independent or regionally focused productions.