Part of the ‘Is R&B live music an untapped gem for Abu Dhabi?‘ Series, this will focus on artists that are legends and icons of the R&B genre. Whilst they may not be active as performers in recent years, have a huge catalogue of hits, appeal to an older demographic and are likely to drive fans to flock to the events across the region for a rare chance to see their favourite stars.
Mariah Carey
5x Grammy winning American superstar, dubbed the Songbird Supreme by the Guinness Book of Records, is one of the best selling artists acts of all time selling over 220 million records worldwide, and was Billboard’s Artist of the Decade for the 1990s. Whilst the legendary five range octave may no longer be at its peak, she is still a huge draw and can gather ‘Lambs’ across the globe.
Previous UAE Performance: Dubai Expo 2020, Dubai Jazz Festival 2017
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve
Socials: IG: 11.8 million, Twitter: 21.8 million, Spotify: 23.1 million
Notable Songs: We Belong Together, Always Be My Baby, Fantasy, Hero, All I Want For Christmas Is You
Boyz II Men
4x Grammy award winning, legendary American R&B group, dubbed by RIAA as the most commercially successful R&B group of all time selling over 64 million records.
Previous UAE Performance: Coca-Cola Arena 2019
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): NBA Events, Abu Dhabi Festival, Mother Of The Nation
Socials: IG: 664k, Twitter: 303k, Spotify: 5.2 million
Notable Songs: End of the Road, One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, On Bended Knee, Water Runs Dry
Mary J Blige
9x Grammy Award winning Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, redefined the genre of R&B over 30 years ago singing R&B melodies over hip-hop beats. She’s still making critically acclaimed music to date, with new album ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ nominated for several Grammys this year, including Album of The Year. Having not been in the region for over 15 years, it is high time she once again performed in the UAE.
Previous UAE Performance: Madinat Arena 2006
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Culture Foundation
Potential Event(s): Mother of the Nation
Socials: IG: 6.4 million, Twitter: 6.1 million, Spotify: 9.8 million
Notable Songs: Family Affair, Be Without You, One, Just Fine, Real Love
Janet Jackson
5x Grammy winning American icon Janet Jackson (or Miss Jackson if your nasty), is one of the most underrated legends, selling over 160 million records across her illustrious 50 year music career. She is still headlining tours today, and the Jackson royalty is absolutely worth consideration for a potential Abu Dhabi concert.
Previous UAE Performance: Dubai World Cup 2016, Yas Arena 2011
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena
Potential Event(s): NBA Events
Socials: IG: 7.2 million, Twitter: 4.1 million, Spotify: 5.7 million
Notable Songs: That’s The Way Love Goes, Scream, Rhythm Nation, All For You, Got ‘Til It’s Gone
Jennifer Lopez
The iconic Latina triple threat, Jenny from the block has been a cultural mainstay for over 20 years. Having co-headlined the Superbowl in 2020 and having one of the best commercially-performing Vegas residencies of all time, J Lo has proven she is a top entertainment draw.
Previous UAE Performance: Autism Rocks Arena Dubai 2017
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve
Socials: IG: 243 million, Twitter: 45.2 million, Spotify: 22.1 million
Notable Songs: On The Floor, Ain’t Your Mama, Jenny From The Block, I’m Into You, I’m Real
Ms. Lauryn Hill
25 years after crafting the masterpiece that is the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the 8x Grammy winning American singer/rapper still draws audiences globally for a chance to hear her seminal work live.
Previous UAE Performance: Emirates Dubai Jazz Festival 2020
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): Mother Of The Nation, Abu Dhabi Festival
Socials: IG: 873k, Twitter: 237k, Spotify: 11.8 million
Notable Songs: Killing Me Softly With His Song, Doo Woo (That Thing), Ready or Not, Ex-Factor, Fu-Gee-La
Toni Braxton
7x Grammy winning American R&B legend with the distinctive, husky contralto voice, Toni has always confessed her love of Dubai. Whilst health issues may have affected her ability to tour in recent years, her is hoping she will be able to one day return to UAE to perform her hits.
Previous UAE Performance: Dubai World Cup 2017
Potential Venue(s): Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Culture Foundation
Potential Event(s): Mother of the Nation
Socials: IG: 4.3 million, Twitter: 1.8 million, Spotify: 4.2 million
Notable Songs: Un-Break My Heart, You’re Makin’ Me High, He Wasn’t Man Enough, Spanish Guitar, Breathe Again
Brandy
Known as the Vocal Bible, Grammy award winning American songstress Brandy Norwood was a cultural phenomenon of the 90’s, both as a top R&B artist and the lead actress in cult black TV sitcom Moesha. Although her top vacation spot is Dubai, it doesn’t appear that she has ever done a live performance in the UAE, hopefully something that changes soon.
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Culture Foundation
Potential Event(s):
Socials: IG: 5.8 million, Twitter: 3.2 million, Spotify: 5.1 million
Notable Songs: The Boy Is Mine, I Wanna Be Down, Have You Ever, Full Moon, Sittin’ Up In My Room
Ashanti
Grammy award winning American R&B songstress is very familiar with performing in the UAE having recently headlined at the Coca-Cola Arena (with the help of her friends), proving her hits are a draw in the region.
Previous UAE Performance: Ashanti & Friends Dubai 2023, Abu Dhabi F1 After Party 2022
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): BRED Abu Dhabi, F1 Afterparty
Socials: IG: 7.8 million, Twitter: 2 million, Spotify: 6.4 million
Notable Songs: Foolish, Rock Wit U (Awww Baby), Baby, Happy, Only U
Maxwell
3x Grammy award winning American Neo-Soul legend continues to be a touring draw, with his Night Tour and recently announced limited Vegas residency. With one UAE performance almost 10 years ago, perhaps the time is right for another appearance.
Previous UAE Performance: Shangri-La Hotel Dubai 2014
Potential Venue(s): Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Culture Foundation, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi Festival, Mother Of The Nation
Socials: IG: 975k, Twitter: 1.2 million, Spotify: 2 million
Notable Songs: This Woman’s Work, Pretty Wings, Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder), Sumthin’ Sumthin’, Lifetime
Craig David
British R&B icon, who has reinvented himself as a DJ act in the form of TS5 has been a regular fixture in the UAE, and can be relied upon to entertain a crowd. Hopefully one of his returns to the UAE he can maybe leave the TS5 at home and return to more stripped down ‘Born To Do It’ magic that made the world fall in love.
Previous UAE Performance: Dubai Sevens 2022, Mother Of The Nation 2021, RedFest DXB 2018,
Potential Venue(s): Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Culture Foundation
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, UFC Events, Mother Of The Nation, BRED Abu Dhabi, Wireless Abu Dhabi
Socials: IG: 783k, Twitter: 393k, Spotify: 4.9 million
Notable Songs: 7 Days, Walking Away, Fill Me In, Rise & Fall, Insomnia
D’Angelo
Once dubbed “R&B Jesus” by prominent critic Robert Christgau, 4x Grammy-award winning American legend D’Angelo is renowned for his artistry and ushering the Neo-Soul movement in the 90’s. He’s also the only artist in Verzuz to not have an opponent. Having never performed in the region previously ( a travesty!), perhaps now is the time we can have his brilliance grace these shores.
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Mubadala Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi Festival, Mother Of The Nation
Socials: IG: 219k, Twitter: N/A, Spotify: 1.9 million
Notable Songs: Lady, Brown Sugar, Untitled (How Does It Feel), Really Love, Feel Like Makin’ Love
Donell Jones
American R&B veteran Donell Jones has a number of hits in in the 90’s & 00’s that are still the staple of R&B music nights today. Having never previously performed in the UAE, he could prove an good option for live performance.
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Emirates Palace, Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat
Potential Event(s):
Socials: IG: 235k, Twitter: 120k, Spotify: 1.5 million
Notable Songs: U Know What’s Up, Where I Wanna Be, Shorty (Got Her Eye On Me), Knocks Me Off My Feet, This Luv
Erykah Badu
The 4x Grammy award winning American Queen of Neo-Soul Erykah Badu helped to redefine the sound of R&B music from Baduizm beyond. Only performing once in the UAE over 12 years ago, it’s high time the icon once again wow us once again.
Previous UAE Performance: Chill Out Festival Dubai 2011
Potential Venue(s): Emirates Palace, Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat
Potential Event(s):
Socials: IG: 6 million, Twitter: 2.7 million, Spotify: 3.5 million
Notable Songs: On & On, Didn’t Ya Know, Next Lifetime, Window Seat, Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)
Ginuwine
American R&B legend Ginuwine is still hilariously making headlines with his performances today, and has a catalogue of hits which continue to resonate today.
Previous UAE Performance: 1Music1Sound Festival Dubai 2018, supperclub Dubai 2014
Potential Venue(s): Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat, White Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): F1 Afterparty
Socials: IG: 993k, Spotify: 6.2 million
Notable Songs: Pony, Differences, I Need A Girl Part 2, In Those Jeans, So Anxious
Musiq Soulchild
American R&B and Neo-Soul veteran Musiq Soulchild has staple of hits across his 20+ year career and could be of get interest to finally debut in the UAE (so long as he manages to leave his rap alter ego The Husel at home).
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Emirates Palace, Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat
Potential Event(s): RoofTop Rhythms
Socials: IG: 422k, Twitter: 483k , Spotify: 2 million
Notable Songs: Love, Halfcrazy, Dontchange, sobeautiful, Just Friends (Sunny)
T-Pain
2x Grammy winning American singer ‘Godfather of Autotune’ made his mark on the music scene popularizing the creative use of auto-tune. He’s also created as well as been a featured artist of several hits of the ’00’s and ’10’s, which would make a T-Pain live performance a great option which hasn’t been in the UAE for quite some time.
Previous UAE Performance: White Dubai 2016, Race Week Yas Island 2016
Potential Venue(s): Mubadala Arena, Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat, White Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): Wireless Abu Dhabi, BRED Abu Dhabi, RoofTop Rhythms, F1 Afterparty
Socials: IG: 3 million, Twitter: 1.3 million, Spotify: 11.6 million
Notable Songs: Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’), Bartender, I’m Sprung, Low, Up Down (Do This All Day)
Tyrese
Tyrese is well known in the region as part of the Fast & The Furious franchise, being invited to events as a special guest, but he also has a musical career that isn’t explored much. Having a number of R&B hits himself and as part of R&B supergroup TGT with Tank and Ginuwine, a performance from Tyrese could be of interest, especially if he’s around visiting or promoting his next film.
Previous UAE Performance: XL Dubai 2014
Potential Venue(s): Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat, White Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): BRED Abu Dhabi, F1 Afterparty
Socials: IG: 16.7 million, Twitter: 2.8 million, Spotify: 1.3 million
Notable Songs: How You Gonna Act Like That, Sweet Lady, Lately, Signs of Love Makin’, What Am I Gonna Do
SWV
One of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s selling 30 million records, Sisters With Voices (SWV) have been cemented as R&B icons. Now documenting their journey back to touring on TV via the SWV & Xscape: Queens of R&B show (sorry Kandi – SWV should be the headliners) maybe a debut to Abu Dhabi should be on the cards.
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat, White Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): Mother of the Nation
Socials: IG: 234k, Twitter: 50.2k, Spotify: 3.2 million
Notable Songs: Weak, Right Here (Human Nature Mix), Rain, I’m So Into You, You’re Always On My Mind
Joe
Labelled by Billboard as one top 50 R&B / Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years, Joe is cemented in his R&B legendary. Known for his smooth and sultry voice, it’s perplexing he has not been enlisted to perform in the UAE previously.
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Emirates Palace, Culture Foundation, NYUAD Arts Center, Manarat Al Saadiyat
Potential Event(s):
Socials: IG: 304k, Twitter:74.4k, Spotify: 3.1 million
Notable Songs: I Wanna Know, All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do), No One Else Comes Close, If I Was Your Man, Good Girl
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One response to “Legendary & Iconic R&B Artists We Want To See Perform In Abu Dhabi”
[…] Legacy Acts: Legends and icons of the R&B genre. Whilst they may not be active as performers in recent years, have a huge catalogue of hits, appeal to an older demographic and are likely to drive fans to flock to the events across the region for a rare chance to see their favourite stars. […]
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