American rapper Nelly's 'male only concert' in Saudi Arabia sparks debate

The male only concert, due to take place on December 14 with Algerian Rai singer Cheb Khaled has caused quite a debate on social media...

Narrated

2 min read

The New Arab & agencies

22 Nov, 2017

Nelly is expected to perform in Saudi Arabia in December [Getty]

Social media went into a flurry after it was announced that American rapper Nelly is set to perform in Saudi Arabia in December as the kingdom heads for 'modernisation.'

The male only concert, due to take place on December 14 with Algerian Rai singer Cheb Khaled, has caused a debate on just how far “progress” is being made in the kingdom by barring women from attending.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known by his initials MBS was perceived as progressing women’s rights activism and going onto “modernise” the kingdom by allowing international musicians to perform in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

In September, it was announced that women in Saudi Arabia will soon be allowed to drive.

But critics say that the recent developments in Saudi civil society are a mere distraction that are happening in conjunction with bin Salman’s fist of authoritarianism as he cracks down on personal freedoms and arrests.

Many ridiculed the kingdom for their male only condition:

Twitter Post

And the fact that these two artists were more famous 10 years ago.

Twitter Post

"Hot in here" jokes were not missed, of course...

Twitter Post

Conservative commentators within the kingdom were angry at the fact that a man who pled guilty for cannabis possession in 2015 will be performing. The rapper had also found himself in a legal battle after being accused of raping a woman on his tour bus.