The region’s first neo-culture festival returns this weekend.
Leave it to BRED Abu Dhabi to outdo itself year after year. Once again, the region’s ultimate neo-culture festival is joining forces with Hypebeast and is set to return to Yas Island from 23 to 27 April 2025.
If you’re wondering what neo-culture is, it’s all about the intermingling of separate cultures to create a new one. The event brings together basketball showdowns, curated art, global fashion brands, interactive experiences, live graffiti, skating, street food and performances by grime and hip-hop artists.
Artists
BRED is known for bringing big-name acts to the capital, and this year is no different. The celebrations will kick off on Thursday, 24 April, with Lebanese pop artist Dana Hourani, whose hit single InshAllah Kheir was the region’s song of the summer in 2023 and will no doubt be a highlight of the night. Lebanese indie band Adonis and Egyptian rock band Cairokee will also headline the opening night.
On Friday, 25 April, the spotlight shifts to Moroccan-French artist Nayra and UK rap heavyweight Nines, who will join legendary hip-hop icon Nas for an unmissable night. A defining figure in the UK rap scene, Nines has built a loyal following with his introspective storytelling and sharp lyricism and the platinum-certified hits like Clout and I See You Shining.
Emerging from New York in the early 90s, Nas is celebrated for his intricate lyrics and vivid storytelling on the tracks N.Y. State of Mind and The World Is Yours, and If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) featuring Lauryn Hill, which has been lauded as one of the greatest rap songs of all time.
The energy continues on Saturday, 26 April with Odeal, a genre-defying artist whose sound merges Afro, Alté and R&B influences on standout tracks including Be Easy, More Life and Toxic. He will be joined by PARTYNEXTDOOR, the first artist signed to Drake’s OVO Sound label. Known for the hits Come and See Me, Nokia and Recognize, PARTYNEXTDOOR recently released a collaborative album with Drake titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U.
On Sunday, 27 April, Egyptian rap sensation Ilmond takes over, bringing his hard-hitting and deeply introspective bars that resonate with real-life struggles and triumphs. Egyptian rap powerhouses Afroto and Marwan Moussa will share the stage, blending infectious beats, razor-sharp flows, and undeniable stage chemistry to bring BRED Abu Dhabi 2025 to a thrilling close.
Exhibitions
At this year’s festival, attendees can immerse themselves in an artistic journey celebrating culture, identity, and creativity. Street art icon Futura will headline the visual arts programme with a rare appearance and book signing for Futura: The Artist’s Monograph, giving fans a chance to connect with one of the genre’s most influential figures.
Joining the roster are standout creatives including LA-based visual disruptor Marwan Shahin, Lebanese illustrator Joelle Jabbour, Armenian-Syrian artist Stephany, and Emirati designer Shamma Bu Hazza, each unveiling exclusive artworks crafted just for the festival.
Fashion
Fashionistas can expect independent and homegrown fashion and lifestyle brands that champion cutting-edge practices, underlining their dedication to the community. From high-end drops to vintage gems, limited-edition merch, and bold brand collabs, the event brings together global style heavyweights and local legends.
Highlighted brands include French menswear label Pieces Uniques, Amsterdam’s cult-favourite Daily Paper, Istanbul’s popular urban brand Les Benjamins, and Precious Trust—a Dubai-born label blending Western aesthetics with regional roots. Also in the spotlight is 5ivepillars, known for weaving Islamic culture and Eastern art into contemporary design.
Global sportswear giants are out in full force too, with adidas, ASICS, New Balance, Timberland and Umbro, showcasing everything from performance gear to street-style essentials. Flying the flag for homegrown creativity, SER and Mesmari (Abu Dhabi), Basement (Sharjah), and Wyld x Jeeski (Dubai) bring fresh energy and local flavour.
Food
BRED Abu Dhabi 2025 is bringing more homegrown F&B brands to the festival. Guests can explore a variety of delicious dishes from well-known vendors such as Palestinian kaak from Kaak Al Quds, flame-kissed meats from Mattar, terrific tacos from Lila Taqueria, comfort-driven bites from Lento, and Mediterranean soul food from Polline.
Elsewhere, get your hands on soulful Moroccan flavours at Choukran or sink your teeth into the smash-hit burgers from Gotham Burger Social Club. Famed for their signature Oklahoma-style creation straight out of New York, pizza lovers won’t want to miss L’Industrie Pizzeria.
Adding to the energy, Anghami teams up with Fred’s Coffee Party and Discosan for a block party, complete with special DJ sets to keep the vibes high and the good times rolling.
Sports
Witness the world’s top NBA 2K League players in action live at a dedicated gaming zone. Engage in the Dribble Challenge, test your vertical jump, and shoot hoops on NBA 2K or in person, with exclusive prizes up for grabs. Basketball enthusiasts aged 14 to 17 can join free skills clinics and compete in all-star games and competitions, culminating in a showcase of the region’s emerging talents in a MENA All-Star Game.
BRED – named after the idiom ‘born and bred’ – is designed to celebrate the region’s urban scene.
Tickets for BRED Abu Dhabi 2025 are available via the official BRED website. General admission tickets start at AED 245, while Golden Circle tickets are priced at AED 545.
We’ll see you there.
GO: Visit https://bredabudhabi.com for more information.
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