Overview
- Cardi B headlined MDLBEAST Soundstorm in Riyadh in the early hours of Sunday, performing an extended set and greeting the crowd in Arabic with “As-salamu alaykum” and “mashallah.”
- She wore a custom neon pink Gaurav Gupta look designed for local norms, featuring a hooded, fully covered silhouette with crystal detailing, ghungroos and a flowing cape developed with stylist Kollin Carter and consultant Hema Bose.
- Clips of the performance and her Arabic greetings surged across social media as fans praised the look and interaction, with many dubbing her “Halal B.”
- During the visit she posted videos praising Saudi development and luxury, shopped in Riyadh, appeared in an abaya-style gown and said on Instagram Live that she didn’t want to leave.
- Outlets framed the appearance as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to bring in Western stars under Vision 2030, a strategy that continues to draw human-rights criticism.