Part of the ‘Is R&B live music an untapped gem for Abu Dhabi?‘ Series, this will focus on artists The Travel Consigliere believe have the potential to draw between 5000 – 10,000 attendees for their standalone concert, and can still be considered for a headliner role for headliners for major Abu Dhabi events. Can drive tourists to visit the city in order to see their favourite star, although may mainly be domestic or within the region, particularly if there isn’t a Middle-East tour.
Khalid
Khalid rapidly shot to superstardom becoming the spokesman of an adolescent generational and has continued to be a top draw. The talented vocalist has been a hit in the region previously, making his debut headlining the Abu Dhabi F1 in 2021, and surely when a new album is released he can be relied upon as a top draw again.
Previous UAE Performance: Abu Dhabi F1 2021
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve
Socials: IG: 7.4 million, Twitter: 4.8 million, Spotify: 53.4 million
Notable Songs: Location, Better, Young, Dumb & Broke, Eastside, Lovely
SZA
The American star has catapulted from indie fave to into R&B star territory hot off the success of new album SOS, which spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the longest-charting No. 1 by a woman since Adele’s 25. Off the back of completing a sold out North America arena tour, she has extended to Europe, including 4 dates at the O2 Arena in London.
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, Wireless Abu Dhabi
Socials: IG: 16.4 million, Twitter: 7.5 million, Spotify: 67.2 million
Notable Songs: Good Days, Kill Bill, Snooze, All The Stars, Kiss Me More
Alicia Keys
American 15x Grammy winning singer/songwriter, classically trained pianist who has sold 90 million records and has been performing for over twenty years. Popular in the region as has performed 4 times previously, as well as recently wowing audiences alongside a Saudi traditional band in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
Previous UAE Performance: Expo 2020, Set the World on Fire tour 2013
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, National Day, New Years Eve, Abu Dhabi Festival, Mother Of The Nation
Socials: IG: 25.8 million, Twitter: 29.8 million, Spotify: 23.1 million
Notable Songs: If I Ain’t Got You, No One, Fallin, Girl on Fire, Empire State of Mind
Chris Brown
It’s been over 10 years since the American Grammy award-winning singer and self-proclaimed ‘best male R&B artist in the world’ (Newsflash Chris– it’s Usher) Chris Brown performed in the UAE. Previously scheduled to headline RedFest DXB in 2017, he had to cancel due to tour rescheduling, so the time might be due for Chris to return to the UAE, but this time in Abu Dhabi.
Previous UAE Performance: Meydan Racecourse 2012
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, Wireless Abu Dhabi, BRED Abu Dhabi
Socials: IG: 128 million, Twitter: 31.9 million, Spotify: 50.9 million
Notable Songs: Loyal, Under The Influence, No Guidance, Go Crazy, With You
John Legend
12x Grammy winner and youngest ever EGOT winner, the American singer, songwriter and pianist is known for smooth, classy and charming performances and has performed frequently in the UAE.
Previous UAE Performance: Louvre Abu Dhabi Grand Festival 2022, Dubai Shopping Festival 2020
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, Abu Dhabi Festival, Mother Of The Nation
Socials: IG: 15.5 million, Twitter: 13.6 million, Spotify: 22.9 million
Notable Songs: All Of Me, Beauty and the Beast, Ordinary People, Love Me Now, Tonight (Best You Ever Had)
Ne-Yo
3x Grammy winner, the American singer and songwriter is an R&B staple, selling over 20 million albums worldwide and has been a regular performer in the UAE previously.
Previous UAE Performance: Dubai Expo 2020, World Tennis League Dubai 2022, White Dubai 2019
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Arena , White Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events
Socials: IG: 3.8 million, Twitter: 6.3 million, Spotify: 20.9 million
Notable Songs: So Sick, Miss Independent, Because of You, One In A Million, Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)
Miguel
Grammy award winning American R&B star Miguel is known for his Prince-esque boundary pushing progressive R&B. He’s now had a resurgence following his song ‘Sure Thing’ going viral 12 years later on TikTok, with the song reentering the US & UK charts. With a new album imminent, the time could be right for a return of the star to the UAE.
Previous UAE Performance: 117Live Arena 2018, Abu Dhabi F1 2014
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Arena , White Abu Dhabi
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, UFC Events, BRED Abu Dhabi
Socials: IG: 5 million, Twitter: 957k, Spotify: 31.5 million
Notable Songs: Sure Thing, Adorn, Remind Me To Forget, How Many Drinks?, Sky Walker
Anderson .Paak
3x Grammy award winning (or seven if you include the 4 Grammys Silk Sonic won for Leave the Door Open clean sweep) R&B and Hip-Hop star Anderson. Paak is one of the most innovative and daring artists in the genre. Having not been back in the region for a very long time, it’s high time for a return the UAE stage.
Previous UAE Performance: Sole DXB 2017
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Culture Foundation, Mubadala Arena
Potential Event(s): BRED Abu Dhabi, Wireless Abu Dhabi
Socials: IG: 3.3 million, Twitter: N/A, Spotify: 21.2 million
Notable Songs: Leave The Door Open, Come Down, Smoking Out The Window, Dang, Bubblin
Childish Gambino
When not being the award-winning actor, comedian, producer, director and screenwriter Donald Glover, he does in his spare time become 5x Grammy award winning rapper and singer Childish Gambino. Talented individual indeed. The closest we’ve gotten to a UAE performance from the star is a ‘This is Dubai’ parody of his hit song, but as he’s promised a return to music, hopefully we can experience the real thing soon.
Previous UAE Performance: N/A
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Arena
Potential Event(s): Abu Dhabi F1, NBA Events, BRED Abu Dhabi, Wireless Abu Dhabi
Socials: IG: 4.3 million, Twitter: 2.5 million, Spotify: 22.4 million
Notable Songs: Redbone, 3005, This Is America, Me and Your Mama, Feels Like Summer
H.E.R.
5x Grammy Award winning American R&B phenom H.E.R. reinvented herself from a child prodigy to an enigmatic R&B star (Although the sunglasses aren’t fooling anyone Gabi). Outside of being an amazing performer, her Filipino heritage could be an added draw to the 650,000 Filipinos that call UAE home.
Previous UAE Performance: Sole DXB 2017
Potential Venue(s): Etihad Arena, Emirates Palace, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Arena
Potential Event(s): NBA Events, BRED Abu Dhabi
Socials: IG: 6.1 million, Twitter: 584k, Spotify: 11.9 million
Notable Songs: Could’ve Been, Every Kind of Way, Slide, Focus, Damage
The Travel Consigliere 
One response to “Major R&B Artists We Want To See Perform In Abu Dhabi”
[…] Tier 2: Major artists that have the potential to draw between 5000 – 10,000 attendees for their standalone concert, and can still be considered for a headliner role for headliners for major Abu Dhabi events. Can drive tourists to visit the city in order to see their favourite star, although may mainly be domestic or within the region, particularly if there isn’t a Middle-East tour. […]
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