Hip-hop artist Russ will kick off a new gig series in the UAE, which aims to stoke the region’s home-grown hip-hop scene.
The Atlanta native reportedly finds his largest audiences in the Middle East, and will now make a UAE debut at a new venue in Ghantoot on Saturday April 29.
The concert is the first in a series from fresh promoters 1520, who claim to celebrate the “current global renaissance of urban culture”, and share hopes to inspire and support the Arab world’s burgeoning hip-hop talent.
At home, Russ is best known for minor billboard hits What They Want and Losin Control.
However the 24-year-old rapper claims his largest market is in Saudi Arabia — where public performances are normally prohibited — as well as enjoying an audience in Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.
Russ has performed two concerts in Beirut over the past six months, both to crowds in excess of 2,000 people. The concert will take place at the relatively unknown Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel and Resort, which sits next to popular nightclub Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE. Local artists and DJs are also expected to be added to the bill.
A press release from promoters 1520 said the brand “encompasses a worldwide trend of hip-hop music, while encouraging emerging international artists to visit the region, and local artists to pursue their talents to represent the birth of this new movement in the Middle East.”
Tickets from Dh250. Doors are open from 6pm-midnight, concert starts at 8pm-11pm.
rgarratt@thenational.ae
