Nelly will be taking the stage in a seemingly unlikely location next month: Saudi Arabia. The wealthy Arab nation has historically had some of the strictest moral codes in the world, so it comes as a surprise that a rapper would be invited to perform. There's a big catch, however; only males will be permitted to attend the show.
The concert, set for Dec. 14 in the city of Jiddah, will also feature Algerian singer Cheb Khaled.
Until recently, a public hip-hop performance would have been unthinkable in the Kingdom. However, 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been pushing many ambitious reforms, including the creation of a new General Authority for Entertainment.
Tickets for the show are selling for as much as $120 and will be available to male attendees only.
Nelly will be the second American star to appear in Saudi Arabia this year. Toby Keith performed a sold-out show back in May in the capital city of Riyadh; coincidentally, it was the same week that president Trump was in the country. Like Nelly's upcoming show, the country singer's concert was only attended by males.
Keith later related that he had been given strict instructions to not perform any songs about drinking, weed, or sex. Nelly will no doubt face the same restrictions.
Source: washingtonpost.com
