The hip-hop heavyweights will perform at the region’s first neo-culture festival.

Last month, we reported on the return of the region’s neo-culture festival. BRED – named after the idiom ‘born and bred’ – will celebrate the region’s urban scene on Yas Island from 23 to 27 April 2025. Visitors can expect a packed agenda of performances by regional and international Hip-Hop and R&B artists, a curated retail experience featuring designs by global streetwear brands, popular street food concepts from across the region, gaming, basketball showdowns, and immersive art displays. Now, the first headline artists have been announced, including a performance from PARTYNEXTDOOR and Nas in Abu Dhabi.

Hip-hop heavyweight Nas will headline on Friday, 25 April. Born Nasir Jones, the American rapper is known for his profound impact on the hip-hop scene. Emerging from Queensbridge, New York, Nas gained critical acclaim with his 1994 debut album, Illmatic, celebrated for its intricate lyrics and vivid storytelling and the tracks “N.Y. State of Mind” and “The World Is Yours.”

Throughout his career, Nas has released several successful albums, including It Was Written (1996), which features the hit single “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” featuring Lauryn Hill, which has been lauded as one of the greatest rap songs of all time. In 2002, he released “Made You Look,” a single from the album God’s Son, which achieved significant commercial success and remains one of his most popular tracks.

PARTYNEXTDOOR will headline on Saturday, 26 April. The Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer was the first artist signed to Drake’s OVO Sound label. His self-titled debut mixtape, PARTYNEXTDOOR, introduced his unique blend of R&B and electronic music, featuring tracks like “Break from Toronto.”

In February 2025, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake released a collaborative album titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. This project showcases their synergy, blending smooth R&B melodies with hip-hop elements. The album features standout tracks like “Gimme a Hug,” where Drake addresses his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, and “Nokia,” praised for its playful and energetic vibe.

Nas and PARTYNEXTDOOR will be joined at BRED Abu Dhabi by the Egyptian rock band Cairokee and Lebanese indie rock band Adonis. The regional talents will headline the opening night on Thursday, 24 April 2025.

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 to see Nas in 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.

Check in with FACT for the latest things to do in Abu Dhabi. 

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