Saudi Arabia has invited American rapper Nicki Minaj to
perform in the country this month in an unusual move for the famously
conservative kingdom.
Minaj is scheduled to headline the Jeddah World Fest, a
music and performance festival, on July 18. DJ Steve Aoki and singer Liam Payne
have also been announced, and the kingdom is offering quick online visas for
international visitors.
The Saudi government in recent times has made efforts to
relax some of its restrictions. Last year, a 35-year ban on movie theaters was
lifted, and women were finally given the right to drive.
This year, Mariah Carey held her own concert in Saudi
Arabia, despite backlash from women's rights activists. It's all part of an
economic overhaul under Vision 2030, an effort to reduce the kingdom's reliance
on oil. The kingdom is attempting to create economic activity at home and
encourage citizens to spend their money within its borders.
No comments:
Post a Comment