Saudi Arabia has invited American rapper Nicki Minaj to perform in
the country this month in an unusual move for the famously conservative
kingdom.
Minaj is scheduled to headline the Jeddah World Fest, a music and
performance festival, on July 18. DJ Steve Aoki and singer Liam Payne
have also been announced, and the kingdom is offering quick online visas
for international visitors.
The Saudi government in recent times has made efforts to relax some
of its restrictions. Last year, a 35-year ban on movie theaters was
lifted, and women were finally given the right to drive.
This year, Mariah Carey held her own concert in Saudi Arabia, despite
backlash from women’s rights activists. It’s all part of an economic
overhaul under Vision 2030, an effort to reduce the kingdom’s reliance
on oil. The kingdom is attempting to create economic activity at home
and encourage citizens to spend their money within its borders.
Comments
Post a Comment