The lineup of amazing artists includes UK rapper Nines and local talents Afroto and Marwan Moussa.

BRED Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s neo-culture festival, is returning to Yas Island. Running from 23 to 27 April, it showcases the region’s art, fashion and music. Now, new artists have been announced, including Dana Hourani, Ilmond, Nayra and Odeal.

The event aims to bring together A-list international artists, regional talent, streetwear stalls, curated art, interactive experiences, and international as well as local food. The line-up includes global fashion brands, street food stalls and performances by grime and hip-hop artists.

UK rap heavyweight Nines is the newest addition to the BRED Arena lineup, joining legendary hip-hop icon Nas for an unmissable night on Friday, 25 April. A defining figure in the UK rap scene, Nines has built a loyal following with his introspective storytelling and sharp lyricism.

Rising to fame with his breakout mixtapes Church Road to Hollywood and One Foot In, Nines cemented his status with the chart-topping albums Crop Circle, Crabs in a Bucket, and Crop Circle 2, which showcased his knack for vivid storytelling.

Known for his cinematic beats, Nines’ latest album, Quit While You’re Ahead, continues to dominate the scene, blending soulful production with hard-hitting bars. With platinum-certified hits like Clout and I See You Shining, Nines’ performance in Abu Dhabi is not to be missed.

The regional lineup for BRED Abu Dhabi has also been revealed. Kicking things off on Thursday, 24 April, Lebanese pop artist Dana Hourani will take centre stage, delivering her signature blend of contemporary and cultural sounds. Her debut album, Ensanein, showcased her ability to merge indie, electronic, and Arabic sounds, while her hit single InshAllah Kheir was the region’s song of the summer in 2023 and will no doubt be a highlight of the night.

On Friday, 25 April, the spotlight shifts to Moroccan-French artist Nayra, whose emotionally charged lyricism and powerful delivery fuse effortlessly with bold beats, promising an electrifying set that will leave the crowd buzzing.

The energy continues on Saturday, 26 April with Odeal, a genre-defying artist whose sound merges Afro, Alté and R&B influences, shaped by his multicultural upbringing across Germany, Nigeria, Spain, and the UK. Flipping between English and Yoruba, his standout tracks include Be Easy, More Life and Toxic.

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 to a thrilling close.

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 third 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.

BRED – named after the idiom ‘born and bred’ – is designed to celebrate the region’s urban scene. The festival will be headlined by American Rapper Nas and R&B sensation PARTYNEXTDOOR.

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GO: Visit https://bredabudhabi.com for more information.