Saudi Arabia has been taking its >entertainment program very seriously ... and it looks like December is going to be one busy month for the kingdom.
The General Entertainment Authority announced that American rapper Nelly and Algerian singer Cheb Khaled are scheduled to perform in Jeddah on Dec. 14, in what is being described as the largest concert to date.
The entertainment authority partnered with MBC Action to make this event a reality for music fans in the kingdom ... male fans to be more specific.
"For the first time in the history of the Kingdom, international music stars will perform," the announcement read.
It's happening at King Abdullah Economic City
But ... it's a male-only event and women are kinda angry
"Why is it a male-only event?"
"Stupid ... male-only event"
Puns were used to make a statement
It's called "Cheb Khaled" ... because only shabeb (men) are allowed inside.
Others pointed out the whole controversy Nelly was facing earlier this year
In October, Nelly was arrested after a woman reported that the "Hot in Herre" singer had raped her on his tour bus after a concert that same week.
Scott Rosenblum, Nelly's lawyer, denied the allegations at first, according to TMZ.
Rosenblum told BuzzFeed News that the singer had been "released [from jail] pending investigation." He added that Nelly had not been charged.
Vomit emojis ensued
"Unfortunate reality"
A female-only concert was announced earlier this month
Last week, Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi >announced she would be performing in the kingdom, in what is being described as Saudi Arabia's first-ever female-only concert.
The concert, which is set to be held in Jeddah on Nov. 29, comes as part of Saudi Arabia's celebrations of the UAE's national day and is being organized by the kingdom's Entertainment Authority.
The authority announced several other concerts in Jeddah and Riyadh, including performances by international pianist Yanni, Lebanese Musician Michel Fadel and Iraqi singer Kazem Al Saher.
Saudi Arabia is spending $2.67 billion to promote entertainment
Under Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plan, entertainment is a sector the country is working to develop and enhance.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund >announced its plans to launch an entertainment enterprise with an initial capitalization of $2.67 billion, according to Forbes Middle East.
Currently, millions of Saudis travel abroad to find entertainment outside of the conservative kingdom.
According to CNN, about one million Saudis have visited Dubai alone for tourism so far in 2017.
Officials in Riyadh would prefer more Saudis stay and spend money back home.
"At the moment, many Saudis head to the likes of Dubai, where there are a lot of entertainment complexes and more things to do," Jason Tuvey, an economist at London-based Capital Economics, told Arab News.
The kingdom's General Authority for Entertainment has already launched numerous initiatives in line with the goals laid out in Vision 2030.
In 2017, >public concerts were held in the kingdom for the first time in years.
Mixed gender events – including Saudi Comic Con and a >YouTube FanFest – also took place this year, marking a historic moment and push towards change in the kingdom.
Despite the fact that there are still no official cinemas, several >public film screenings have also happened.