Hip-hop stars Busta Rhymes and Big Daddy Kane to perform at Sole DXB 2023

The popular street culture and music festival will return to the Dubai Design District in December

US rapper Busta Rhymes is known for his frenetic performances. Reuters

Busta Rhymes and Big Daddy Kane will perform at Sole DXB in December.

Joining the US hip-hop stalwarts at the music and street culture festival is revered New York rapper Jadakiss, pioneering producer DJ Shadow and Zambian star Sampa the Great.

Rhymes will return to the UAE after winning the Lifetime Achievement award at the BET Awards this year.

The award celebrated his near-four-decade career, during which he's earned 12 Grammy nominations and several hits including Break Ya Neck, Touch It and Dangerous.

Taking place at the Dubai Design District from December 8 to 10, the festival also features a line up of regional artists including Sudanese rapper and singer Oddisee and Nadine El Roubi alongside seasoned names from the UAE hip-hop scene such as The Recipe, Tac and Moh Flow.

Also to be revealed soon will be a number of brands curating their own unique spaces and showcasing exclusive product drops and Sole DXB-branded releases and collaborations.

One can also expect panel discussions surrounding this year's 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

What is Sole DXB?

Sole DXB returns to Dubai Design District after a two-year hiatus. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

Skateboarders at Sole DXB

Sole DXB is visually striking with work by Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj

Local culinary favourite Project Chaiwala makes a pop-up appearance at Sole DXB

Sole DXB celebrates hip-hop culture

Fashionable hoodies at Sole DXB

Trainers abound at Sole DXB, which is a celebration of sneaker and hip-hop culture

Plenty of selfies being taken against the colourful backdrop

Big smiles at Sole DXB

Various sneaker outlets at Sole DXB

Visual arts at Sole DXB

Sole DXB has a more intimate vibe this year

The basketball competition is a major draw card at Sole DXB

Sole DXB is a delight for sneakerheads

Fashion outlets at Sole DXB

Cool brands and vintage designs at Sole DXB

The entry to Sole DXB

Sole DXB is a place to sample the latest urban streetwear

Sole DXB initially began as a sneaker summit

A funky ice cream outlet at Sole DXB

The first Sole DXB was held in 2011 at thejamjar, a warehouse art gallery in Al Quoz. Marketed as a “sneaker summit”, the event went on to galvanise the city's nascent hip-hop scene by bringing rappers, DJs, street artists and designers together under one roof.

That event attracted about 1,000 visitors and in the following years it grew in size and scope.

In 2015, Sole DXB found its permanent home in Dubai Design District and has welcomed international hip-hop artists, film screenings and panel sessions to its programme.

Last year's festival returned after a two-year hiatus and featured a stellar line up showcasing hip-hop's diversity and influences.

Taking the stage were British rapper Central Cee, American RnB star Ari Lennox and Jorja Smith, as well as solo artist Rapsody and collective Coast Contra from the US.

“We have always been going forward and trying new things and sounds that people may not expect from us,” festival co-founder Rajat Malhotra told The National in a previous interview.

“Fundamentally, when it comes to the music and things that come with the festival, we do it based purely on the things we like.