Paging all R’n’B and hip-hop lovers, except for Drake: Meek Mill and Amerie are performing at MAD on Yas Island this Friday (and White Dubai on Saturday) as part of a three-year anniversary celebration of weekly club night URBN.
But there’s more — here are a few genre-centric events happening around the UAE in April and May to keep you busy.
April 18: Rawdolff @ VIP Room, Dubai
Parisian DJ Rawdolff plays his usual concoction of hip hop, house, trap and rap at the VIP Room for those who like to get the club goin’ on a Tuesday.
April 20: Hip*Notize @ Billionaire Mansion, Dubai
DJs Mr Shef Codes and LucasDirty put on a set at Billionaire Mansion in the Taj Hotel, Burj Khalifa Blvd, the night before Shef Codes heads down to the Palm for a big Nasimi Beach Party.
April 21: Dip Urban @ Nasimi Beach, Dubai
For ‘hip-hop magic’, the free-to-attend DIP Urban Party will take place at Nasimi Beach, the Palm, from 2pm onwards on Friday. The event will feature sets by resident DJs Mr Shef Codes, Mr Levier, Dave De Luca, DJ Brooklyn and DJ Slim.
April 21: Jax Jones @ Zero Gravity, Dubai
Jax Jones, the UK producer behind I Got U and You Don’t Know Me, is more known for his EDM and deep house tracks. But he takes his inspiration from hip hop and R’n’B, having grown up on Biggie, The Neptunes, Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins. If you’re feeling something dance-y with a tinge of hip hop, this pool party is right for you. Free for ladies before midnight, and men before 10pm, and Dh100 thereafter.
April 28: Jazzie B @ 360 Dubai
Remember the UK neo-soul group Soul II Soul from the ’90s? They gave the world these two timeless classics: Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) and Keep on Movin’. Now frontman Jazzie B is doing his own thing and will be flying solo at 360 Dubai. But we’re sure you’ll catch the big hits, and it’s on a Friday, so you can live it up over before you have to get back to life, back to reality.
May 4 and 5: Nelly at White Dubai, followed by MAD on Yas Island the next night
An icon of hip-hop’s golden era, Nelly is coming to town for not one, but two performances. The actor and rapper’s last album, M.O., came out in 2013, but he’s most known for 2002’s Nellyville. If you’re feeling really dedicated, slap a plaster on your cheek and head down to hear Ride Wit Me, Hot in Herre and Dilemma live.
May 18 and 19: Lil Jon at White Dubai, followed by MAD on Yas Island the next night
What? Yeah, okay! Lil Jon, the rapper known for his enthusiastic single word exclamations, is coming to town. Lil Jon is also known for total club bangers such as Turn Down for What, Act a Fool and Get Low. Like Meek Mill, Amerie and Nelly, he’ll be performing at White Dubai and MAD on Yas Island back-to-back.
