Kanye West revealed as surprise MDLBeast Soundstorm headliner

Controversial rapper Kanye West will take to the Big Beast stage – and he’s bringing friends.

Just when we thought the hype surrounding MDLBeast Soundstorm 2023 couldn’t get any bigger, a last-minute addition to the lineup has got tongues wagging across the region. 

American rapper Kanye “YE” West has been popping up across the Middle East. First, he was in AlUla, then Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and now he will headline the region’s biggest music festival in Riyadh.

The news was announced via the MDLBeast Instagram account the evening before Kanye was due to drop Vultures, a collaborative album with fellow rapper Ty Dolla $ign. The caption read: “One more surprise: YE and friends will be performing on Big Beast. Get your tickets now.” 

YE, the artist formally known as Kanye West initially gained recognition as a producer, working with artists like Jay-Z, before launching his solo career as a rapper with his 2004 album, The College Dropout. The album’s innovative production, introspective lyrics, and genre-blending style marked the beginning of West’s impact on the music industry.

The rapper went on to release a series of critically acclaimed albums, including Late Registration (2005), Graduation (2007), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), Yeezus (2013), The Life Of Pablo (2016), Ye (2018) and Donda (2021). Each album showcased his evolving sound and willingness to experiment with musical genres. 

In addition to his musical pursuits, Kanye ventured into fashion, creating the YEEZY brand and collaborating with major fashion houses like Balenciaga. However, his outspoken personality and willingness to challenge conventions have made him a polarising figure.

Kanye was previously in Riyadh in November for Riyadh Season’s Battle of the Baddest boxing match. Plus, Outlawz performer turned entrepreneur Mutah Beale shared a snap of the rapper at the FACT Award-winning restaurant Smokey Beards Q.

On the 2010 track See Me Now, West rapped “I might walk in Nobu with no shoes.” He did just that during a visit to Dubai’s Nobu By The Beach in November when he was spotted barefoot laughing with celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Plus, he met with the fashion brand The Giving Movement and the founder, Dominic Nowell-Barnes, which caused people to wonder if a collaboration was on the cards. 

The MDLBeast Soundstorm 2023 lineup also features 50 Cent, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Chris Brown, David Guetta, J Balvin, Martin Garrix, Travis Scott, Will Smith, Wiz Khalifa, Wizkid and countless others. However, the exact date of Kanye’s performance has yet to be revealed.

MDLBeast Soundstorm tickets are available via Platinumlist and start from SAR 169. So whether you’re a fan of EDM, Hip-Hop or R&B, MDLBeast Soundstorm 2023 has you covered.

GO: Visit https://riyadh.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.