Kendrick Lamar to perform at Abu Dhabi Formula One after-race concert in November

Rapper was originally supposed to perform at the 2017 Abu Dhabi F1 concert but pulled out

Rapper Kendrick Lamar, above, joins EDM stars Swedish House Mafia as already-named acts to perform at this year’s after-race concert series. AP Photo

Kendrick Lamar has been announced as the latest headline act for this year’s Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concert. The Grammy Award-winning artist will perform at Etihad Park on November 19.

Lamar is a multi-platinum selling artist who has achieved massive success since his 2012 debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. In the past decade, the rapper has won 14 Grammys and a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album Damn. His latest album Mr Morale & The Big Steppers was released in May. In 2017, he was supposed to perform as part of the Abu Dhabi after-race series but had to pull out for "personal reasons" and was replaced by fellow rapper J Cole.

He joins EDM stars Swedish House Mafia as already named acts to perform at this year’s after-race concert series. The concerts are exclusively for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix ticket holders. There are still two more acts to be announced for the concert series.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce that global superstar and music icon Kendrick Lamar will be entertaining what will be our biggest ever crowds on Saturday evening,” said Saif Al Noaimi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management.

“Our weekend line-up of on-track and off-track entertainment is looking extremely strong, and with two more A-list global performers yet to be revealed, we are sure that we will again offer a fantastic weekend of sport and entertainment for our 14th edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”

New for this year, the Abu Dhabi F1 ticket holders will be able to choose their seat in the grandstand using an interactive viewer, giving them an idea of what they will see from their seat during the concert. Ticket purchasers can also upgrade their concert experience with Golden Circle access to Etihad Park, getting access closest to the stage.

“The Yasalam After-Race Concert series has become the global leader and standard for F1 entertainment programmes around the world. We continually strive to deliver unmissable line-ups for ticketholders for an unparalleled entertainment experience,” said John Lickrish, chief executive of Flash Entertainment.

“As one of the world’s biggest artists, the addition of Kendrick Lamar for the Saturday of the four-day festival adds another dimension to Yasalam 2022 and underlines our desire to bring the best artists to Abu Dhabi for an exhilarating weekend of entertainment. We look forward to announcing the final two acts soon to complete our world-class line-up.”

Scroll the gallery below for other concerts and shows coming to Abu Dhabi:

Comedian Mo Amer will play his biggest UAE show yet in Abu Dhabi in March. Getty Images

Bollywood film producer and director Karan Johar will co-host the International Indian Film Academy Rocks event in February. AFP

British singer-songwriter Sting will play his hits in Abu Dhabi in January. AFP

Junk Kouture aims to engage and inspire young designers to create works from rubbish around them. A fashion show will take place in Abu Dhabi in January. Photo: Junk Kouture

The musician Shujaat Khan will perform at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Saffron Media

Le Trio Joubran are at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Youness Hamiddine

Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi will perform at Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, in December. AFP

Emirati singer Hussain Jassmi will perform a National Day concert in Abu Dhabi. Satish Kumar / The National

K-pop group Blackpink bring their Born Pink world tour to Abu Dhabi in January. Getty Images

Award-winning, Nigerian-Romanian will perform in the UAE as part of Abu Dhabi Classics. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing their Gala Concert in December. Photo: Abu Dhabi Classics

Post Malone will perform at Etihad Park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in December. AP

Imagine Dragons will perform at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on January 26, 2023. Photo: Eric Ray Davidson

The Lion King will be on stage at Etihad Arena throughout December. Photo: Disney

An installation by artist Daniel Popper as part of the last Mother of the Nation Festival. The event returns to the Corniche later this year. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

British comedian Jimmy Carr will take to the Etihad Arena stage in January. Getty Images

Scottish stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges will perform at Etihad Arena in January. Getty Images