American rapper Cardi B and Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Davido were among the standout performers who electrified fans at the 2025 Soundstorm Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cardi B, born Belcalis Almanzar, took centre stage in the early hours of Sunday, turning the festival grounds into what many described as a late-night block party.
Organised by MDLBEAST, the event attracted thousands of music lovers to the Saudi capital and featured an impressive lineup of international stars.
Her appearance at the festival had sparked conversations online ahead of time, given Saudi Arabia’s conservative reputation and Cardi B’s bold image and explicit musical style. Addressing the moment with humour, the Grammy-winning rapper shared a video on Instagram upon her arrival, dressed in a long black gown with a head covering similar to an abaya, writing, “Hello, Saudi Arabia… Halal B has arrived.”
During her performance, Cardi adjusted her set to suit the cultural environment, keeping profanity to a minimum, with even her DJ’s playlist noticeably toned down. Despite this, her trademark high-energy delivery remained intact as she thrilled the audience with a mix of older hits and tracks from her latest album, Am I the Drama?
Songs including Press, Pretty & Petty, Bartier Cardi, No Limit (Remix), Safe, and I Like It had the crowd dancing throughout the night. At one point, she stepped off the stage to connect with fans gathered near the barricades.
Cardi also showed appreciation for her host country by weaving local elements into her performance. She greeted the crowd with, “Saudi Arabia, how are we doing tonight?” before adding, “As-salamu alaykum!” Later, she told fans, “Thank you for having me in your country. Everything is mashallah.”
Her set was enhanced by visually striking digital backdrops inspired by Arabian culture, including imagery linked to traditional silk routes and handwoven textiles.
Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, also delivered an energetic and well-received performance, further cementing Soundstorm’s reputation as a festival that unites Western, African and Middle Eastern music on one global stage.
Other notable performers at the event included Young Thug, Miguel, Black Coffee, Metro Boomin and Don Toliver, alongside several international acts across multiple stages.
According to MDLBEAST’s Chief Creative Officer and renowned DJ, Baloo, about 30,000 people attended the festival’s final night alone, highlighting Soundstorm’s growing influence on the global music scene.
