The UNESCO World Heritage Site will host a musical extravaganza.

There ain’t no party like a MDLBeast party. You’ll find MDLBeast in Riyadh, Doha and now Jeddah. For the second time, MDLBeast Balad Beast is taking place in Jeddah and runs from 18 to 19 January. Bringing local and international artists to the city’s Old Town, it looks set to be a musical extravaganza. 

MDLBeast is bringing its much-loved, signature music and arts festival experience to Jeddah. MDLBeast Balad Beast will showcase 70 musicians across four stages. Old and new unite, as the event takes place in a UNESCO World Heritage site, and welcomes hip-hop, EDM, house and techno acts. Plus, it will include cool food stalls, art, and live music installations.

The international hip-hop artists include one of the greatest groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan; By Yourself, Motion and Vultures hitmaker Ty Dolla $ign; and Losing Control and Are You Entertained rapper Russ.

Dance music comes in the form of Major Lazer, which is made of an American Jamaican trio and DJ Snake who has previously performed in the Kingdom as part of Gamers8 and the Saudi Games.

Other confirmed acts include Claptone, Eli Brown, Jungle, Loco Dice, Luciano, Oxlade, Ricardo Villalobos and Seth Troxler. Further artist announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Who we’re most excited to see

Emerging from Staten Island in the early 90s, the Wu-Tang Clan went from a hip-hop group to a cultural phenomenon. With nine distinct voices echoing the struggles and triumphs of their community, they revolutionised the genre with their 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Combining the cinematic beats of RZA with the smooth flow of GZA to the gritty lyricism of ODB on tracks such as C.R.E.A.M. and Protect Ya Neck. Wu-Tang Clan’s influence stretched far beyond music and their dark aesthetic and kung fu references permeated pop culture, inspiring fashion designers, filmmakers, and even video games. 

TY Dolla $ign has been making headlines in recent weeks as we await Vultures, his joint project with Kanye West that is expected to drop on 12 January. With his smooth vocals, infectious melodies, and genre-bending collaborations, the songwriter and producer has crafted hits for some of the biggest names in the industry, like Rihanna and Wiz Khalifa, while dropping hit singles such as By Yourself with Jhene Aiko, Hot Girl Summer, a collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj, and Motion alongside Chris Brown. With the performance at MDLBeast Balad so close to the album’s release date, could we see a surprise appearance from Kanye West? 

Founded by American DJ and producer Diplo, Major Lazer pulsates with the soul of Jamaican dancehall and reggae, infused with the electrifying energy of EDM. This potent musical cocktail has made them global superstars, igniting stages worldwide and collaborating with diverse artists across the musical spectrum. The trio’s music is a captivating blend of pulsating basslines, catchy melodies, and infectious Jamaican rhythms. Tracks like Cold Water with Justin Bieber and Lean On featuring MØ and DJ Snake became global smash hits. They’ve collaborated with various artists, from Ariana Grande and Busy Signal to Nicki Minaj and Sean Paul.

DJ Snake is a prominent French DJ and record producer who first gained widespread recognition with his 2013 single Turn Down for What featuring Lil Jon. Known for his eclectic style that blends various genres, including electronic, hip-hop, and pop, DJ Snake has collaborated with renowned artists like Justin Bieber on Let Me Love You and with Cardi B and Selena Gomez on Taki Taki. Beyond his chart success, DJ Snake is celebrated for his electrifying live performances at major festivals and as a trailblazer in the electronic dance music industry.

MDLBeast’s Balad Beast tickets are on sale now and start from SAE 269. Ticket options include general admission and VIB (very important beasts). VIB perks include fast-track access, exclusive viewing zones, VIP parking, and premium food and beverages.

Jeddah, are you ready for MDLBeast?

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