American rap superstar Cardi B and Nigerian Afrobeats powerhouse Davido lit up the 2025 Soundstorm Festival in Riyadh, cementing the event’s reputation as one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing global music showcases.
Cardi B, born Belcalis Almanzar, commanded the stage in the early hours of Sunday, transforming the festival grounds into a pulsating celebration. Her performance was among the weekend’s most anticipated, drawing thousands of fans to the MDLBEAST-organised event in Saudi Arabia’s capital.
The Grammy-winning rapper’s decision to perform in Saudi Arabia sparked widespread conversation beforehand, given the country’s conservative cultural norms and her bold style and explicit lyrics.
Addressing the moment with her signature humour, Cardi shared a video on Instagram upon arrival, clad in a flowing black gown with a head covering resembling an abaya, captioning it: “Hello, Saudi Arabia… Halal B has arrived.”
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On stage, she adapted her set to suit the local context, delivering a largely clean performance with only a few minor slips, while the DJ’s opening set also reflected a toned-down approach. Despite these adjustments, the energy and intensity that fans have come to expect from Cardi remained undiminished.
Backed by vibrant dancers and a colourful outfit, Cardi powered through a mix of fan favourites and tracks from her chart-topping album Am I the Drama?, including Press, Bartier Cardi, No Limit (Remix), I Like It, and Pretty & Petty.
At one point, she stepped off stage to greet fans near the barricades, creating intimate moments amidst the spectacle.
Cardi also made deliberate efforts to connect with the local audience, incorporating Saudi references into her set. “Saudi Arabia, how are we doing tonight?” she asked, later greeting the crowd with “As-salamu alaykum!” She thanked fans for the warm reception, describing the experience as “mashallah.”
The stage visuals mirrored this cultural fusion, featuring Arabian-inspired motifs and imagery influenced by the region’s historic silk and handloom traditions.
HELLO! Cardi makes her return to the stage at the MDLBEAST Soundstorm festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 😤 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oj0tTE1DNy
— KenBarbie™ (@itsKenBarbie) December 14, 2025
Cardi B interacting with the crowd & performing Finesse remix at Riyadh’s Soundstorm Festival in Saudi Arabia.🖤🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/dvb9gRorF8
— ໊ (@BardisMedia) December 13, 2025
Sharing the spotlight, Davido, born David Adeleke, delivered a dynamic performance that showcased the global reach of Afrobeats, blending West African rhythms seamlessly with Western and Middle Eastern sounds. His set underscored Soundstorm’s diverse musical identity and left festivalgoers thrilled.
Saudi Arabia went CRAZY 🇸🇦🔥
Thank you, Soundstorm, for the love and energy it was A1.
We’re just getting started.
Abuja tonight, let’s go!#5iveAliveTour pic.twitter.com/BfFndbRdyE— Davido (@davido) December 14, 2025
The festival featured a star-studded lineup, including Young Thug, Miguel, Black Coffee, Metro Boomin, and Don Toliver, spread across multiple stages.
According to MDLBEAST’s Chief Creative Officer and internationally acclaimed DJ, Baloo, the festival’s final night drew an estimated 30,000 attendees, marking another milestone in Soundstorm’s emergence as a premier global music destination.