US rapper Cardi B has made waves in Saudi Arabia after her headline performance at the MDLBEAST Soundstorm festival in Riyadh early Sunday morning.
The artist, known for her bold and unfiltered persona, shared her experiences in the kingdom through a series of social media videos, praising the country’s rapid transformation.
Cardi’s visit is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger strategy to rebrand itself as an entertainment hub, investing in high-profile celebrity appearances as part of its Vision 2030 reform plan.
In a viral Instagram video, Cardi B expressed her astonishment at the country’s development, saying, “Everything is brand new, honey. This country looks like it was just opened up yesterday.”
She greeted the thousands of festival-goers with the traditional Muslim greeting “Salam alaikum,” and later remarked, “everything is mashallah,” a phrase meaning “God has willed it,” used widely in Muslim countries to express admiration.
Known for her often explicit language, Cardi adopted a more restrained tone during her performance, opting for a more modest attire that covered her from neck to toe. This was a notable departure from her usual revealing stage outfits.
In the days leading up to her performance, Cardi posted videos from luxury malls in Riyadh, expressing her admiration for the city’s opulence. “The shopping is great, mashallah!” she exclaimed, also humorously ranting against American taxes and declaring, “I’m somebody over here.”
@revolt Cardi B was seen shopping at a mall in Saudi Arabia like she said she would 😍🇸🇦 #cardib #saudiarabia #bardigang ♬ original sound – REVOLT
Cardi also recommended Saudi Arabia as a vacation destination, jokingly adding, “There’s no alcohol, but some of y’all don’t need to be drinking and having S-E-X.”
Her visit to Saudi Arabia follows a legal victory earlier this year when she was cleared of an assault charge in a $24 million civil trial.
Cardi B’s performance at the MDLBEAST Soundstorm festival is part of a broader trend of global artists performing in Saudi Arabia. This marks a growing list of stars like Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, and Eminem who have performed in the kingdom in recent years.
These events are a core part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil and position the country as a cultural and entertainment hub.
In addition to the performances, Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in its entertainment industry, creating a new cultural landscape designed to attract global attention and investment.
However, these high-profile appearances have drawn criticism, with many questioning the artists’ role in a country with a controversial human rights record.
The increasing number of international stars coming to Saudi Arabia demonstrates the kingdom’s growing influence on the global entertainment scene, signaling its ambition to reshape its image and become a key player in the cultural world.
