Nicki Minaj is set to perform in Saudi Arabia and people are not happy about it

The rapper faces criticism for her raunchy lyrics as the kingdom loosens its decades-old restrictions on entertainment

US rapper Nicki Minaj will perform in Saudi Arabia this month, triggering a storm on social media as the Kingdom loosens decades-old restrictions on entertainment.

Needless to say, the Bang Bang hitmaker is known for her profanity-laced lyrics and raunchy music videos. Alas, Minaj will perform in the western city of Jeddah on July 18, organisers of the ongoing Jeddah Season cultural festival announced on Twitter recently.

The headline act, to be televised on MTV, will also feature British musician Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.

Wait... How is Saudi Arabia letting Nikki Minaj have a huge festival but they don't allow pork let alone Nikki in a Islamic country..😑

— Mina (@Mina18268369) July 3, 2019

"She (Minaj) is going to be actively on her social media, she'll be posting right from the stage in Jeddah and at her hotel in Jeddah," Robert Quirke, an event organiser, was quoted as saying by Arab News.

"Everyone is going to know that Nicki Minaj has landed in Saudi Arabia."

The performance in the Kingdom, which forbids alcohol and has a strict social code, comes as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues a sweeping liberalisation drive that has led to new cinemas, concerts and sporting extravaganzas.

Nikki Minaj is about to perform in ultra conservative Saudi Arabia . Earlier Disco Bar was open in Jeddah , Isn’t leadership is trying to write its own people downfall with this UnIslamic act @Assimalhakeem

— Faraz Alim فراز (@alim_faraz) July 3, 2019

The news was widely welcomed in a country where two-thirds of the population is under 30, with one Twitter user posting a picture of Minaj and writing: "My dream has come true". Others posted doctored images of the rapper in traditional Saudi dress. But it also triggered outrage from conservative quarters.

Saudi Arabia closes down 'halal' nightclub ahead of Ne-Yo performance 

In a profanity-filled video posted on Twitter that has been viewed more than 37,000 times, a Saudi woman wearing a loose headscarf accused Minaj's profanity while women attending the concert will be required to wear the modest full-length robe known as the abaya.

Cool video by #Saudi Woman wondering why she should be wearing a Abaya while Nicki Minaj can come “Shake her Booty” and sing about sex in Jeddah on 18th. HT @ayaelb https://t.co/vEo6WY2kVt

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) July 3, 2019

"She is going to go and shake her backside and all her songs are about sex... and then everyone tells me to wear the abaya. What the hell!" one woman said in a video posted on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Abdulmajeed_Q_/status/1146545433889714178

Saudi Arabia is boosting entertainment that allows citizens to have fun, in what some see as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment.

https://twitter.com/palistn/status/1146592738881626113

However, Jeddah has been laced with controversy since a mixed dance-floor on the opening night of the city’s ‘halal’ nightclub brand was closed.

The instance occurred just before US-based performer Ne-Yo was scheduled to headline the club’s grand opening during the waterfront festival.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByrJ8EVnfeV/?utm_source=ig_embed

In June last year, Saudi Arabia sacked the head of its entertainment authority, following an online backlash against a circus featuring women wearing skintight leotards.

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