This one off date is being preceded by a two date tour of South Africa (Cape Town and Johannesburg), also organized by CSM.

Sipho Dlamini, vice-president of Operations who is originally South African, explains “It has come time for the Middle East fans to experience a true experience a true Urban experience.. Urban Desert will do just that and turn Dubai into a scene of expression for all ages, genders and colors, striving to make the music reach new heights. This is what Urban music is all about; it’s not about what you own or don’t, it’s what you feel”.

Rap DJ’s, dancers, a two-storey suspended bar as a world premiere, a graffiti wall and more activities will keep everyone entertained in between performances, in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere! 

AKON

Senegalese singer Akon first emerged 5 years ago, fresh from a jail sentence for car theft that he documented in the top 10 single “Locked Up”. Listeners weren’t sure how to classify his music.“There was no category for me..”, he recalls, “people didn’t know whether I was reggae, R&B, hip-hop, alternative”.Because of this fusion, CSM thought he would be the perfect Artist to represent the idea of our ‘Urban Desert’ and he will bring this one day Festival to another level of amazement! 

FAT JOE

Also known as Joey Crack, the half-Cuban and half-Puerto Rican Fat Joe is one of the few Latino artists with breakthrough success in the predominantly African American world of rap. He climbedto the top of the Billboard charts in 1993 with the hit single "Flow Joe," and has only gained in popularity since, appealing to mainstream audiences with his hit single recorded with superstar Ashanti called "What's Luv?" in 2001.Guest appearances LL Cool J, Foxy Brown, Nas, Ja Rule, Ludacris, R Kelly, JAdakissand Puff Daddy to name a few, have led Fat Joe’s 3rd and 4th albums peak respectively on The Billboard 200 at #7 and #2 on Top R&B/Hip Hop albums to being certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.His 8th album The Elephant in The Room was released on March 11th this year. 

BLACK VIOLIN

On May 21st 2005, Black Violin, two classically trained musicians took home the title "2005Apollo Legends" which catapulted them to international fame. These two gentlemen, KeVMarcus and Wil b along with their DJ TK have created the ultimate synergy between classicaland Hip-Hop music. They have toured with Linkin Park's lead singer Mike Shinodathroughout the USA, performed at the NFL Kick off party with Puff Daddy "Diddy", performedat the Billboard Awards with Alicia Keys, and been featured on the Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Lil Kim's, Brooke Hogan's upcoming albums too.Their performance at Dubai Desert Rhythm Festival 2007 on October 26th surprised and undoubtedly won the audience, which led them to playing the next day too, with a demand for them to come back.

CUTMASTER SWIFT

Once Cutmaster Swift became notorious on the underground, it was suggested that he enter the DMC championships in ’88 as back up to a friend. Swifty, (by his own admission one of the first real entertainer DJs), won outright, and a DMC career was carved.“Winning the DMC put me on an international level, it opened up the world for me.”In ’89 he went on to win the UK & world championships and won the UK again in 1990. He has retired to work behind the scenes rather than the decks and became a regular DMC judge, hosting the championships.He  has produced a series of battle records called Battle Breaks. He is currently working on the 4th album.