Hip-hop star Nicki Minaj to perform in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia says hip-hop star Nicki Minaj will be performing there in the latest eye-popping announcement as the kingdom sheds decades of restrictions on entertainment.

Nicki Minaj performs on stage during the MTV EMA's 2018 at Bilbao Exhibition Centre in Bilbao, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. [Photo：IC]

The female rapper is known for her outlandish style and hits like "Anaconda." Her lyrics are often laced with profanities and her 2012 Grammy Awards performance which included dancing priests and an exorcism drew criticism from Christian groups.

Saudi organizers announced Wednesday (3 JULY 2019) she'd be the headline act at the Jeddah World Fest on July 18, which is will be broadcast globally and covered by MTV.

To boost tourism and Saudi Arabia's image, the kingdom is promising quick electronic visas for international visitors who want to attend the show.

(Story includes material sourced from AP)