- Her appearance in the kingdom had sparked conversations ahead of the event
- Dressed in vibrant colours and backed by a team of dancers, the Bronx-born artist powered through a catalogue of hits
- She also made a point of connecting with the local audience, weaving Saudi references into her performance
American rap star Cardi B and Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweight Davido were among the headline performers who lit up the 2025 Soundstorm Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivering electrifying sets that kept thousands of fans on their feet.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Cardi B, born Belcalis Almanzar, took over the early hours of Sunday with a performance that felt like a high-energy street party, marking one of the most talked-about moments of the MDLBEAST-organised festival, which drew massive crowds to the Saudi capital.
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Her appearance in the kingdom had sparked conversations ahead of the event, given Saudi Arabia’s conservative environment and Cardi’s reputation for bold fashion and uncensored lyrics.
The Grammy-winning rapper acknowledged the moment on social media upon her arrival, greeting fans with a playful “Hello, Saudi Arabia… Halal B has arrived,” as she shared a video of herself dressed in a flowing black outfit with a head covering similar to the traditional abaya.
On stage, Cardi adjusted her performance to suit the cultural setting, keeping explicit language to a minimum while still delivering the infectious energy that defines her shows. Her DJ’s set also reflected the toned-down approach, with a noticeably clean playlist.
Dressed in vibrant colours and backed by a team of dancers, the Bronx-born artist powered through a catalogue of hits, blending fan favourites with newer material from her acclaimed album Am I the Drama?.
Tracks including Press, Pretty & Petty, Bartier Cardi, No Limit (Remix), Safe and I Like It sent waves of excitement through the crowd, with Cardi even stepping closer to fans along the barricades during the set.
She also made a point of connecting with the local audience, weaving Saudi references into her performance and greeting the crowd with “As-salamu alaykum,” while expressing appreciation for the warm reception.
The stage visuals mirrored this cultural fusion, showcasing Arabian-inspired designs and motifs drawn from the region’s rich textile and hand-loom heritage.
Davido, whose birth name is David Adeleke, equally thrilled fans with a spirited performance that highlighted Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global stage, further reinforcing Soundstorm’s status as a meeting point for diverse musical cultures.
The festival also featured performances from several international stars, including Young Thug, Miguel, Black Coffee, Metro Boomin and Don Toliver, alongside a lineup of global acts spread across multiple stages, cementing Soundstorm’s reputation as one of the Middle East’s premier music events.
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