DUBAI: British singer and songwriter Jorja Smith, English rapper Central Cee and US rapper Bas are set to headline Dubai’s urban festival Sole DXB in December, organizers announced on Tuesday.
The event, taking place from Dec. 9 to 11, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with hip hop, soul, rhythm and blues, and dance music artists.
The line-up also includes Grammy nominated artist Mumu Fresh, Moroccan traditional vocalist and percussionist Khadija El-Warzazia, American rapper Rapsody, and South African DJ, singer, and songwriter Muzi, who will all be making their first appearance at the festival.
In addition, hip hop group Coast Contra will hit the stage at the three-day event.
Emirati rapper Freek, and Egyptian singers Felukah and TAC, will join the festival line-up to celebrate the rise of Arab talent throughout the region and its diaspora.
Besides live music performances, the festival’s program usually consists of film screenings, talks, workshops, sports tournaments, and more.
Other key elements of the event include a competitive streetball tournament, and a sneaker swap, where people will have the opportunity to buy, sell, and trade footwear from leading collectors in the region.
Spotlighting a different subculture for each edition, this year’s Sole DXB will focus on the Middle East, celebrating excellence in the Arab world, working with Moroccan visual artist Hassan Hajjaj as its first festival host.
The Sole team travelled to Morocco during the summer to learn and draw inspiration from the culture, and to connect with creators and creatives, some of whom sit front and center of the festival’s iconic campaign shot by Hajjaj, in the historic Medina of Marrakech.