Ryad (AFP)
American rapper 50 Cent and singer Janet Jackson will perform in Saudi Arabia at a festival, which the artist Nicki Minaj had renounced to participate in evoking his support for women's rights, announced Wednesday the organizers.
"Wow, wow, wow, 50 Cent will sing live at the Jeddah World Fest!", The festival organizers on Thursday, and for almost a month in Jeddah, in the west of the kingdom, said on Twitter. ultraconservative.
The participation of American singer Janet Jackson is also confirmed. "We are excited to see this incredible icon in Jeddah!", The organizers said on Twitter.
American rapper Nicki Minaj announced on July 9 that she was canceling her planned concert in Jeddah, citing her "support" for women's rights, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression.
The announcement of the star's concert, known for its provocative songs and clips in which it appears little dressed, had sparked a storm of reactions on social networks from the most conservative Saudis.
According to some Saudi media, including the pro-government Okaz newspaper, the cancellation of the concert was decided by the authorities because it went against local "customs and values".
If the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says he wants a certain liberalization of the kingdom - which is reflected in particular by the opening of new cinemas and the holding of concerts or major sporting events - Saudi Arabia is regularly put in question for its suppression of opponents.
In October, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a power critic, was killed in the premises of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a commando of agents from Ryad.
Several reports have reported the direct responsibility of the Saudi Crown Prince in this assassination, which he denies.
The kingdom is also criticized for a long time for the way it treats women, who are legally under the control of their father, husband, brother or even son, even though they recently got the right to pass the driver's license.
© 2019 AFP