Dubai’s hotly-anticipated youth and contemporary cultural three-day festival, Sole DXB, is making its hotly-anticipated return from Dec. 8-10. This year, the spotlight is on one of the most influential musical movements of the century – hip-hop – as the 11th edition of the annual festival gears up to celebrate the genre’s remarkable 50th anniversary. Hip-hop heads and sneaker lovers can expect an unparalleled experience as this year’s event will weave together the threads of music, art, fashion, and cultural exploration. From the lineup to the participating brands, read on for everything you need to know about the upcoming three-day festival.
Music lineup
On Saturday, Dec. 9, catch Jadakiss in his UAE debut alongside Grammy-winner Tobe Nwigwe and hip-hop legend Big Daddy Kane. ODDISEE, DJ Shadow, and Sudanese singer Nadine El Roubi will also grace the main stage. The following day, Dec. 10, guests can experience live performances from Sampa the Great, Omar Offendum, and Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK. Closing out the second day of the festival is the iconic Busta Rhymes, a pioneer in hip-hop since the ’80s.
Adding on to the eclectic hip-hop-filled line-up is none other than the American rapper known for his lyrical prowess, Joey Bada$$, in addition to up-and-coming Egyptian-Palestinian rapper Ma-Beyn, and Sudanese rapper Soulja. Don’t miss the “UAE Mixtape” showcasing regional talent like The Recipe, Tac, Tayeb Santo, A’Y, Maxi Zee, and Moh Flow, hosted by Def Jam’s Mazzi.
Speakers and talks
Amidst the beats, let your mind wander with a lineup of influential voices. Join co-founder of Noah Clothing and creative director of Dream Awake Design, Estelle Bailey-Babenzien; world renowned BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester; London-based print and digital magazine, creative agency, and collective Azeema Mag; the first to develop the baggy jean concept, the first fashion company to employ an all-black sales force and the first designer to tie fashion, music, and culture together, Brooklyn’s Karl Kani; Joey Bada$$ will also be talking off-stage about his writing process, his career as a multi-hyphenate and his latest initiative Impact Mentoriship, a not-for-profit program providing free mentorship to men of colour, and many more as they take the stage.
From co-founding fashion labels and shaping cultural narratives to pushing creative boundaries, these speakers bring a wealth of diverse experiences. It’s not just a lineup– it’s a unique opportunity to glean inspiration and practical insights.
Fashion pop-ups
Sole DXB is a fashion paradise for streetwear lovers and hypebeasts. Featuring a mix of independent and established brands, guests can shop the established and independent brands like Precious Trust, SN3 STUDIO, Les Benjamins, Be Indie, SWEY, 5ivepillars, and Claudette.
Meanwhile, industry giants Adidas, Anti Social Social Club, Aspics, Diesel, and Wilson will unveil their latest creations. Stay tuned for more exciting brand pop-ups to be announced throughout the week.
Adding to the excitement, Rihanna’s game-changing beauty brand Fenty Beauty is also set to participate in Sole DXB at Sephora’s pop-up booth.
