Riyadh Season 2024 is gearing up for an impressive launch, and the excitement has reached new heights with the announcement that hip-hop legend Missy Elliott will be taking the stage at Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia’s capital.

Scheduled to begin on October 12, Riyadh Season 2024 promises a star-studded opening ceremony. Joining Missy Elliott on stage will be fellow hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes and R&B sensation Ciara, ensuring an electrifying kickoff to this year’s entertainment extravaganza.

Missy Elliott climbed to the peak of the music industry in the ‘90s as part of the R&B group Sista and quickly gained recognition for her extraordinary songwriting talents. Her solo career catapulted her to international fame, thanks to her innovative sound and memorable hits like “Get Ur Freak On” and “Work It,” which revolutionized hip-hop with futuristic beats and visually stunning music videos.

The singer’s influence extends far beyond her own music. Industry giants such as Beyoncé and Timbaland have cited her as a key inspiration. With over 40 million records sold, Elliott holds the title of the highest-selling female rapper in history. After a break from music in the late 2000s, she made a triumphant comeback with her 2019 album Iconology, and that same year, she became the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In addition to the concert, Riyadh Season 2024’s opening night will feature an exciting boxing match between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol as part of the IV Crown Showdown.