Nicki Minaj to headline music festival in Saudi Arabia

  03 July 2019    Read: 811
Nicki Minaj to headline music festival in Saudi Arabia

Saudi government accused of hypocrisy for requiring women to wear full-length robe Nicki Minaj will perform in Saudi Arabia, it was announced on Wednesday as the ultraconservative kingdom sheds decades of restrictions on entertainment.

The female rapper is known for her outlandish, provocative style and hits like “Anaconda”, where she raps about her “big fat” backside. Her lyrics are often laced with profanities and her skin-bearing music videos often include twerking. Christian groups criticised her 2012 Grammy awards performance, which included dancing priests and an exorcism.

Saudi organisers announced she would be the headline act at the Jeddah World Fest on 18 July. The concert, which in line with Saudi laws is alcohol and drug-free, is open to people 16 and older and will take place at the King Abdullah Sports stadium in the Red Sea city.



Saudi organisers said the concert will be broadcast globally and covered by MTV. Other performers include the British artist Liam Payne and the American DJ Steve Aoki. The kingdom is also promising quick electronic visas for international visitors who want to attend.

Over the past several months, the kingdom has seen performances by Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias, the Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, and the DJs David Guetta and Tiesto. That’s despite the widespread international backlashsince October over the killing of the Saudi critic and writer Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents close to the crown prince in the kingdom’s consulate in Turkey.


Gender segregation between single men and women is still enforced in many restaurants, coffee shops, public schools and universities, but other rules have been loosened, with women now allowed to drive and attend events in sports stadiums.

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