The Dubai’s urban DXB festival Sole took place from Dec. 9 to 11 – experienced lots of amazing performances and exhibitions which seek to celebrate the festival’s 10-year anniversary with hip hop, soul, rhythm and blues, as well as performances from music artists and dancers.
The previous editions of the Sole DXB gathered over 36,000 attendees who witnessed entertainment from more than 100 performers, designers, speakers and brands over the three-day event. This year, it is expected that the numbers will increase as many arts enthusiast are eager to set their eyes through the shows.
At this arts festival, the line-up also includes Grammy-nominated artist Mumu Fresh, Moroccan traditional vocalist, and percussionist Khadija El-Warzazia, American rapper Rapsody, and South African DJ, singer, and songwriter Muzi, who will all be making their first appearance at the festival.
Emirati rapper Freek, and Egyptian singers Felukah and TAC, witnessed the festival line-up to celebrate the rise of Arab talent throughout the region and its diaspora.
Apart from live music performances, the festival’s program usually consists of film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, sports tournaments, and a lot more.
DJs featured at the festival include:
DJ Stretch Armstong
Thursday, December 8: Khalil, Snips, and Dijok
Friday, December 9: DJ Moma, Frezidante, and Dan Greenpeace
Saturday, December 10: Andre Power and Sasha Marie
Sunday, December 11: House of Yanos, Doowap, Stretch Armstrong, and Natasha Diggs
Some of the key elements of the event include a competitive streetball tournament, and a sneaker swap, where people will have the opportunity to buy, sell, and trade footwear from leading collectors in the region.
Highlighting a different sub-culture for each edition, this year’s Sole DXB has focused on the Middle East, celebrating excellence in the Arab world, and working with Moroccan visual artist Hassan Hajjaj as its first festival host.
Hassan Hajjaj spoke that “Sole DXB is a space where you can come and be yourself and one where you are celebrated for who you are.”
He also added “I believe that art can move us forward. It can dispel stereotypes. I believe in our youth and the next generation of creators that are showing us that we aren’t just consumers of the culture but are actively contributing to it.”
The Sole team travelled to Morocco during the summer to learn and draw inspiration from the culture, while connecting with creators and creatives, some of whom sit front and center of the festival’s iconic campaign shot by Hajjaj, in the historic Medina of Marrakech.