Palestinian-Jordanian rapper The Synaptik, Saudi artist Asayel and Egyptian hip-hop star Karim Osama are set to perform at the Bred Abu Dhabi festival in April. Returning to the temporary, purpose-built outdoor venue on Yas Island, the music and culture festival will run from April 23 to 27.
To celebrate the announcement, the festival has released its own anthem Hena, a thumping ode to the resilience of youth culture. While more artist are expected to be announced closer to the event, those already confirmed bring considerable pedigree.
The Synaptik, whose real name is Laith Al Husseini, is known for his evocative lyrics. His latest album, Al Taman, is a 20-song collection that has deeply personal themes, tackling issues such as the challenges of maintaining mental well-being and coming to terms with life’s disappointments – subjects rarely explored in Arabic hip-hop.
Asayel recently released her debut single, Asliyah, a vibrant track infused with Hejazi slang from her native Saudi region, which includes Makkah and Jeddah. She displayed her showmanship with a well-received set at last year’s Soundstorm festival in Riyadh.
Osama, meanwhile, has built a reputation for energetic pop tracks enriched with the electro-influenced sounds of Mahraganat music.
While the details of this year’s Bred Abu Dhabi remain under wraps, last year’s event left a lasting impression. The sprawling site was divided into three sections, with the AMP Stage and the main Arena Stage at opposite ends.
At its heart was a basketball and futsal court hosting competitive matches featuring local teams. Fashion and merchandise stalls were scattered throughout the venue, offering plenty to explore, while nearly 20 food outlets – including exclusive pop-ups like New York’s Scarr’s Pizza and deli sandwiches from The Ocky Way – were also on site.
The festival's headline acts last year included UK rappers Aitch and AJ Tracey, as well as US hip-hop stars Offset and DJ Metro Boomin.
