This is the first announcement of artists joining BRED Abu Dhabi this year.

BRED Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s neo-culture festival, is returning to Yas Island. Running from 22 to 26 April, it showcases the region’s art, fashion and music. The first wave of artists for this year’s edition has been announced, with more expected to join soon.

Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr burst out of Benin City, Nigeria, after sharing covers online and signing to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records. Her 2021 self-titled EP introduced her airy, confident pop-R&B, while her debut album 19 & Dangerous cemented her star power with “Away” and the breakout “Bloody Samaritan.” She expanded her international reach with “Rush,” a streaming juggernaut that put Afropop on global radio, and maintained momentum with feel-good hits like “Sability” and “Commas.” Balancing swagger with sweet, airy hooks, we look forward to seeing her take to the BRED Abu Dhabi stage on Saturday, 25 April.

Bryson Tiller

Bryson Tiller rose from Louisville, Kentucky, uploading songs online and breaking through in 2015 with the moody, hooky single “Don’t.” His debut album, Trapsoul, fused trap drums with R&B confessionals, spawning fan favourites like “Exchange” and “Right My Wrongs” and earning major award attention. He followed with the chart-topping True to Self (2017) and the reflective Anniversary (2020), leaning further into melodies and storytelling. Tiller has also scored high-profile collaborations, notably DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts” with Rihanna. His set at BRED Abu Dhabi will showcase his introspective writing on Saturday, 25 April.

Clipse

Clipse, the Virginia Beach duo of brothers Pusha T and No Malice, rose to fame in the early 2000s via Pharrell Williams and The Neptunes, turning stark rap into cultural currency. Their 2002 debut Lord Willin’ broke through with the table-tapping “Grindin’” and the slick “When the Last Time,” while the cult-classic Hell Hath No Fury (2006) cemented their critical reputation with cuts like “Mr. Me Too” and “Wamp Wamp.” After 2009’s Til the Casket Drops and a long hiatus, they reunited for 2025’s Let God Sort Em Out, led by “Ace Trumpets” and “So Be It.” The latter flips a Saudi sample, Talal Maddah’s “Maza Akoulou,” adding Arabian colour to their cold precision. Clipse will take to the BRED Abu Dhabi stage on 23 April.

Gunna

The first up on the roaster is Gunna, who will be taking to the stage on 24 April. Gunna, real name Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, was born in Georgia, United States. In 2018, he rose to fame with his mixtape, Drip Season 3 and Drip Harder. In 2019, he released his debut album Drip or Drown 2. His hits include “Drip Too Hard” with Lil Baby, “Lemonade” with Nav and “Power” with Drake. Plus, he has been nominated for four Grammy Awards. 

Mustard

Mustard rose from Los Angeles’ club scene to define a generation of West Coast pop-rap with his minimalist bounce and instantly recognisable tag. He broke through producing Tyga’s “Rack City,” then stacked radio staples like YG’s “Big Bank,” plus hits for Kid Ink, Tinashe, and more. As an artist, he scored hits with “Ballin” (feat. Roddy Ricch) and the chart-dominating “Pure Water” with Migos, while his albums Perfect Ten and Faith of a Mustard Seed showcased his curatorial ear. In 2024, he collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on “Not Like Us,” turning a diss track into a summer anthem. Mustard will take to the BRED Abu Dhabi stage on 23 April.

Nemzz

Joining Gunna on 24 April is Nemzz. Nemzzz, real name Nemiah Simms, was born in Manchester, England. In the early 2020s, he began gaining attention with viral tracks like “Elevate” and “2MS,” building a strong presence in the UK rap scene through his laid-back delivery and melodic flows. Known for his releases and minimalist style, he has quickly become one of the standout new voices in UK hip-hop.

BRED – named after the idiom ‘born and bred’ – is designed to celebrate the region’s urban scene. It aims to bring together A-list international artists, regional talent, streetwear stalls, curated art, interactive experiences, and international and local food. The line-up includes global fashion brands, street food stalls, and performances by grime and hip-hop artists.

BRED Abu Dhabi is produced by Brag in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and presented by Hypebeast. The festival first started in 2023 and is now in its fourth edition. Neo-culture is all about the intermingling of separate cultures to create a new one. 

Tickets for BRED Abu Dhabi are now available through BRED’s official website. General admission tickets start at AED 245, while Golden Circle tickets are priced at AED 545.

Check in with FACT for the latest things to do in Abu Dhabi. 

GO: Visit http://platinumlist.net for more information.