Nicki Minaj To Headline Music Festival In Saudi Arabia

On Wednesday, it was announced that Nicki Minaj will be performing at an upcoming music festival in Saudi Arabia.

According to the Associated Press, Minaj is scheduled to headline the Jeddah World Fest at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium on July 18. 

Saudi organizers say that the concert is open to people 16 and older and will be covered by MTV. Other performers include former One Direction band member Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.

While Minaj is known for her overtly sexual lyrics and provocative style, Saudi Arabia’s restrictive laws still exist for women in particular.

Some women have even criticized the Saudi government for allowing Minaj to perform, while they are still required to be fully covered if attending the concert.

“She’s going to go and shake her ass, and all her songs are indecent and about sex and shaking ass and then you tell me to wear the abaya,” one Saudi woman said. “What the hell?”

Despite the backlash, organizers are opening the concert up to the rest of the world in an effort to boost tourism. Saudi Arabia is reportedly promising quick electronic visas for international visitors who want to attend.