It is hereby noted that American recording artist Cardi B (legal name: Belcalis Almanzar) and Nigerian Afrobeats performer Davido (legal name: David Adeleke) were among the principal musical acts featured at the 2025 Soundstorm Festival, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to reports published by Revolt, Cardi B conducted a performance described as a high-energy late-night presentation during the early hours of Sunday. The festival, organized by MDLBEAST, reportedly attracted thousands of attendees to the Saudi capital.
Cardi B’s engagement in the Kingdom, a jurisdiction with conservative cultural norms, elicited significant public attention prior to the event. The artist, recognized for her provocative fashion and explicit lyrical content, announced her intention to perform in Saudi Arabia via Instagram, posting: “Hello, Saudi Arabia… Halal B has arrived,” while sharing a video depicting her wearing a long black gown with a head covering resembling the abaya commonly worn in the region.
In conformity with local cultural expectations, Cardi B’s performance was largely devoid of profanity, with the exception of a few unintentional instances. The presentation incorporated choreographed dancers and costume changes, and featured a setlist including tracks from her sophomore album Am I the Drama?, as well as prior commercially successful singles such as Press, Pretty & Petty, Bartier Cardi, No Limit (Remix), Safe, and I Like It. The performer also engaged directly with attendees, including by stepping off the stage to interact near crowd barriers.
During the performance, Cardi B acknowledged and incorporated elements of local culture, greeting the audience in Arabic with “As-salamu alaykum” and expressing gratitude to the host nation, stating: “Thank you for having me in your country. Everything is mashallah.” Digital stage backdrops complemented the theme with Arabian-inspired visuals and imagery referencing the region’s historic silk and hand-loom traditions.
Davido, identified legally as David Adeleke, likewise conducted a performance at the festival, contributing to the event’s portrayal as an international music destination blending Western, African, and Middle Eastern sounds. Other notable performers included Young Thug, Miguel, Black Coffee, Metro Boomin, and Don Toliver, among a broader array of international artists performing across multiple stages.
According to statements by MDLBEAST’s Chief Creative Officer, DJ Baloo, it is estimated that approximately thirty thousand (30,000) attendees were present on the festival’s final night.#newsafro_
