Music fans now have two major calendar dates to circle, the first as Colombian singer Shakira will perform some of her biggest hits live in concert with Arab superstar Amr Diab at Yas Arena, Yas Island on Friday April 29.
Returning to UAE shores following her breath-taking 2008 New Year’s Eve performance at Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most talented and loved performers, Shakira is bringing her distinctive pop/folk sound and incredible Middle Eastern and Latin-inspired dance moves to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.With two Grammys and a whopping seven Latin Grammys under her belt, as well as a Golden Globe nomination, stunning Shakira, the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time boasting worldwide album sales of over 70 million, will have the Yas Arena audience on their feet all night with her huge array of hits, including ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ – the highest-selling single of the 21st Century – her super-catchy 2010 football World Cup anthem ‘Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)’ – the biggest-selling World Cup song of all time - ‘Whenever Wherever’, ‘Underneath Your Clothes’ and the more recent ‘She-Wolf’. And having worked with the award-winning likes of Carlos Santana, Wyclef Jean and Lil Wayne, 34-year-old Shakira will be showing UAE music fans some of the style that has made her the third most viewed artist of all time on YouTube.
Alongside Shakira, famous Arabic pop star Amr Diab will reveal his latest songs to an excited crowd on the same evening of Shakira’s performance. Respectively, Amr Diab has achieved the World Music Awards twice, as best selling Middle Eastern singer in both his albums "Nour El Ain" in 1998 and "Aktar Wahed" in 2002. He also received a Platinum Award for the sales of "Nour El Ain". Alongside organizers FLASH, du World Music Festival in association with Nokia has made this unique international concert possible.
Calendar date number two arrives on Friday May 6th – the week after Shakira and Amr Diab perform – as US rapper and hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg jets into the Capital for his first every UAE live show. Thousands will be treated to a selection of his mammoth hits as well as new material from his recently released album ‘Doggumentary’ – his 11th studio album release.
Having won a huge number of awards for his music, including an American Music Award for Favourite Rap Artist, a MOBO Best Video gong and most recently an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video for his collaboration with Katy Perry on their monster hit ‘California Gurls’, the 39-year-old rapper has also branched out into acting, appearing in Starksy & Hutch, Bollywood hit ‘Singh Is Kinng’ and also the Oscar-winning ‘Training Day’ alongside Denzel Washington, for which Snoop scooped an MTV Movie Award for Best Cameo.
As a protégé of rapper/producer Dr Dre, close friend of Jay-Z, and collaborator with everyone from Pharrel Williams to David Guetta, Snoop Dogg is destined to leave his mark on Yas Island come May 6th.
Commenting about these unique shows, and in particular the importance of Hip-Hop music and culture in the Middle East, Shatha Al Romaithi, a FLASH Entertainment spokesperson said:
“These are yet again two big concerts for Abu Dhabi. Shakira is returning to the Capital but this time with a fantastic new world tour show. Having the ‘Doggfather’ himself Snoop Dog perform reflects the huge popularity of Hip-Hop, R&B and Urban Music in the UAE, especially amongst young Arabs”.
With the likes of rising Emirati Hip-Hop star Khalifa Al Romaithi setting his experiences to Hip-Hop, the genre’s positive messages of independence and confidence, give young Arabs the chance to bring Arabic Art, poetry and traditions to a wider audience. Importantly, it allows for a positive intertwining of cultures and influences between Middle Eastern and Western Music providing young people with important channels of expression.
Shatha Al Romaithi continued, “Hip-Hop’s increasing popularity in the Arab world is giving rise to an exciting form of creativity and expression, and affording young Arabic rap artists the opportunity to deliver positive messages about their culture, heritage and values via an artistic platform”.
Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications at du, said: “The upcoming performances by leading international music stars Shakira, Amr Diab and Snoop Dogg is yet another sterling presentation by du World Music festival as part of our live entertainment platform - du Live!, The UAE is fast becoming a preferred destination for live performances by the very best in the world in entertainment today, and with du Live! we intend to continue enchant and entertain people in the UAE.”
Tickets will be available soon from www.thinkflash.ae. For details on hotel packages and to plan your weekend visit yasisland.