Latest news with #LilEazy
Syyaha
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Syyaha
Balad Beast 2025 Kicks Off with Electrifying Performances, Lighting Up Historic Al Balad in Jeddah
MDLBEAST, the leading Saudi music entertainment company, kicked off Balad Beast 2025 on Thursday, January 30th, turning the historic streets of Jeddah, the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Al Balad', into a dazzling celebration of culture and music. This year's festival blends rich traditions with contemporary global sounds, featuring captivating light projections and immersive artistic experiences in the heart of Al Balad, one of the Kingdom's most iconic and historic one brought the energy with standout performances across multiple stages, showcasing both local and international talent. The 'Bab' stage came to life with incredible performances by artists such as Saudi-born Lil Eazy, who brought a unique blend of hip-hop and R&B, and British soul sensation Michael Kiwanuka, whose mesmerizing set left the crowd captivated. International rap star 21 Savage took the stage by storm, delivering a thrilling mix of styles and high-energy moments. At the same time, Egypt's Disco Misr lit up the stage with their unique retro-futuristic disco-funk reimaginings of Arabic music fans were treated to powerhouse sets on the 'Omda' stage, where Argy's hypnotic beats set the mood, while Korolova and Dish Dash brought their signature house and techno rhythms, infusing the air with pure energy and excitement. The 'Roshan' stage also offered dynamic performances, featuring the vibrant sounds of Gooner and Majid, whose electrifying sets kept the energy flowing throughout the day. Meanwhile, the 'Souq' stage hosted an exciting mix of artists including Black Loops, Biirdperson, and Hamdi Ryder, adding even more variety to the musical lineup. These are just a few of the talented artists who graced both stages, adding to the diverse atmosphere that makes Balad Beast truly one-of-a-kind. As the music pulsed through Jeddah, the historic buildings of Al Balad were transformed into a canvas for a stunning light projection show creating an otherworldly visual experience. The light shows not only illuminated the night but added a layer of magic, making the rich history of the area an active participant in the festival's celebrations. MDLTOWN, offered a variety of food options, giving attendees a taste of local flavors while they explored the immersive experiences. For those seeking exclusive Balad Beast products, the 'Beast Baqala' pop-up shop featured limited-edition merchandise, including items inspired by Al Balad's iconic Roshan windows and the highly anticipated Since 2087 x Hadeed jerseys, honoring Jeddah's football culture. As Day One ends, excitement is building for tomorrow's lineup, which promises even more unforgettable performances. Get ready for the electrifying sounds of Lost Frequencies, the iconic Wiz Khalifa, and the genre-defying Metro Boomin, as well as the ethereal tunes of Ghostly Kisses and the dynamic energy of Tina Savage
The National
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Review: Jeddah's Balad Beast turns historic streets into giant stage
Jeddah's Balad Beast music festival turned the city's historic Al Balad district into a giant stage on Thursday, the first night of the two-day event. Created by MDL Beast, the organisers behind Riyadh's mammoth Soundstorm festival, it is a vibrant showcase of Jeddah's evolving youth and music culture, turning the Unesco World Heritage Site into a neo-modern hub of electronic music, where rappers and DJs shared spaces with traditional baqalas and coffee spots. Local artists performed across the festival's five stages, some of them tucked into the nooks and crannies of Al Balad's labyrinthine alleyways and thoroughfares. Meanwhile, the main stage transformed the facades of flanking traditional residential buildings into a dynamic canvas, projecting visuals of the performances in real-time. Performing ahead of international headliners British soul singer Michael Kiwanuka and American hip-hop star Gunna on Thursday was Lil Eazy, a Somali rapper raised in Jeddah. His 40-minute set was packed with crowd favourites, including Taka and Dose Dose, percolating tracks that fused hip-hop trap beats with swaggering Saudi slang deeply rooted in Jeddah's identity. 'There is definitely a real energy happening in Saudi Arabia, but especially here in Jeddah,' Lil Eazy, whose real name Abubakar Al Jilany, told The National after his set. 'Sometimes people who follow the scene here don't pick up on the nuances between different regions. "Artists from Jeddah have their own musical flavour compared to other parts of the country because the city has always been multicultural. If you listen to my lyrics, you'll hear slang influenced by Egyptian and Sudanese cultures. We just add our own spin on it. That's why hip-hop and dance music feel so natural here.' Hassan Ghazzawi, one half of pioneering Jeddah EDM act Dish Dash who also performed on Thursday, echoed that sentiment. 'Artists from Jeddah, in my opinion, have always had this urge to try new things and connect with people through their work," he said. "They're open to diverse influences but still find a way to bring it back to their own culture and create something unique.' Dish Dash's set demonstrated how these influences have been seamlessly incorporated. Jabal Dukkan, named after a prominent mountain in Bahrain, laces throbbing techno beats with cascading Middle Eastern melodies, while Yanbu, an ode to the Saudi Arabian port city, takes a more subtle melodic approach in tribute to its coastal atmosphere. More Jeddah artists will take the stage to conclude Balad Beast on Friday, including the promising rapper Asayel, whose new single Asliyah is bursting with evocative Hejazi slang derived from her native Saudi region, which also includes Makkah. Local DJ stalwarts Baloo and Vinyl Mode will also headline the secondary Souq Stage. Expect Lil Eazy and Ghazzawi to be supporting their colleagues from the crowd. 'The scene here is tight-knit, and there is this genuine feeling of shared wins,' said Lil Eazy. 'I think it's down to the fact that we are all seeing these things, from having these venues to festivals, happening in front of us. I don't think we take it for granted. Whenever I see my friends shine on stage, it inspires me to work harder on what I do.' Ghazzawi added: 'Listen, I still remember less than 10 years ago performing in underground parties in compounds and villas. In a way, it was the perfect place to get better, and now that it is all available, all of us from that generation are just ready to go and show what we have.'
Syyaha
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Syyaha
Balad Beast 2025: The Final Countdown to Jeddah's Ultimate Celebration of Music and Heritage
The countdown has begun! In just three days, the historic streets of Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will come alive with Balad Beast 2025, taking place on January 30–31. This two-day festival will blend world-class music, captivating light projections, and a vibrant celebration of one of Saudi Arabia's most iconic districts.A Star-Studded Line-Up: Balad Beast 2025Balad Beast 2025 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and talent, featuring over 70 artists from local, regional, and international stages. With artists like Dish Dash, Baloo, Lil Eazy, and Hamdi RydEr at the forefront, these groundbreaking performers are blending traditional influences with global genres, setting the stage for an electrifying experience. Joining them on stage are globally renowned headliners such as Metro Boomin, Michael Kiwanuka, Tiwa Savage, Gunna, and 21 Savage, who bring their international appeal and diverse musical styles to the festival. From Dish Dash's cutting-edge electronic beats, merging local sounds with global house and techno, to Lil Eazy's fresh fusion of hip-hop and R&B, the festival promises to offer something for every music lover. DJ Baloo, a key figure in Saudi Arabia's electronic scene, will play his electrifying sets, showcasing the best of local talent, while Vinyl Mode, the leading DJ/Producer in Jeddah's underground dance scene, will captivate audiences with his unique vinyl-only sets. Regional acts like Hamdi Ryder from Tunisia will bring North African rhythms to the festival, blending them with modern tech-house beats, while Disco Misr, a trio from Egypt, will transform Arabic classics with their retro-futuristic disco-funk twist 'Balad Beast is a truly unique music and art festival, blending Saudi culture with modern artistry in the heart of Jeddah's UNESCO World Heritage district of projecting incredibly crafted visuals on the historic buildings, we fuse traditional elements with cutting-edge stage production, offering music lovers a multi-stage, multi-genre experience where music can be enjoyed at every corner. This event brings together renowned international headliners and emerging local and regional talent, while also showcasing Jeddah's rich history and its immense potential to become a thriving hub for music and art in the region.' Said Ramadan Alharatani, CEO at MDLBEAST.A Well-rounded Festival JourneyBalad Beast offers more than just music – it delivers a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience, featuring:Pepsi Activations: Engaging on-site experiences from Pepsi, Aquafina/Gatorade, and Sting, infusing the festival atmosphere with energy and excitement. The Balad Beast Merch Collection: This year's collection is inspired by Al Balad's iconic Roshan windows and cats, and includes limited-edition Since 2087 x Hadeed jerseys, celebrating Jeddah's vibrant football culture. Where Music Meets History: The Historic Jeddah Revitalization ProjectBalad Beast 2025 is set against the stunning backdrop of Al Balad, coinciding with the ongoing Historic Jeddah Revitalization Project, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030. Launched in 2021, this ambitious initiative is breathing new life into the district by restoring its centuries-old architecture and preserving its cultural 2.5 square kilometers, the project focuses on the preservation of 638 heritage houses, 36 historic mosques, and five historic markets. The development of Al-Arbaeen Lake Park, featuring green spaces, bike paths, and art installations, invites visitors to experience Jeddah's rich cultural tapestry. The revitalization also includes the restoration of local restaurants, enhanced building facades, and the creation of new landmarks such as Culture Square. Events like the Red Sea Film Festival and World Heritage Day anchor Al Balad's role as a hub for art and cultural exchange, with the goal of attracting 20 million visitors annually by 2035.
