Music Business Worldwide April 6, 2021 Republic Records and parent company Universal Music Group (UMG) have launched Universal Arabic Music (UAM) in partnership with successful music manager and entrepreneur, Wassim “SAL” Slaiby. UAM, which UMG says “will create new opportunities to advance Arabic music and culture with global partners, platforms and brands”, was unveiled today by Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, Republic Records Founder and CEO Monte Lipman and Wassim “SAL” Slaiby, Founder and CEO of SALXCO and XO RECORDS. Slaiby will serve as Founder and CEO of Universal Arabic Music, effective immediately. Los Angeles-based Slaiby is the CEO of XO Records (the label which he co-founded with The Weeknd whom he also manages) and of SALXCO, his management firm.