Butterfly Carnival brings Beenie Man to Dubai

The dancehall sensation will perform at Media City Amphitheatre.

The carnival is coming to town. The Butterfly Carnival Festival is fluttering into Dubai. The party brings together international and local artists, from singers to DJs. The event is scheduled to take place at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on 9 November, and here’s how to get hold of tickets.

The Butterfly Carnival Festival line-up brings together artists from around the world. Expect the best of London’s Notting Hill Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago’s beats, and the wild spirit of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro Carnival right to Dubai.

With Afrobeats, Afrohouse, Amapiano, Dancehall, Bashment, Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggaeton, and Soca & Calypso on full display, the event will be headlined by Beenie Man. Born Anthony Moses Davis, Beenie Man is a legend in the dancehall reggae scene. After finding success in Jamaica throughout the 80s and early 90s, his career exploded in 1992 with a standout performance at Reggae Sunsplash. Beenie Man secured his first number-one single in Jamaica that same year, kicking off a streak of eight consecutive “DJ of the Year” awards.

The mid-90s saw Beenie Man collaborate with legendary producers Sly and Robbie. This shift, reflected in albums like “Blessed” and “Maestro,” brought him critical acclaim and international recognition. Hits like “Who Am I” and “Girls Dem Sugar” featuring Mya established him in the US market. Collaborations with artists like Janet Jackson solidified his global appeal, and by 2004, he was a Grammy-winning artist and a true “king of the dancehall reggae scene.”

Rampage Sound will also take over the main stage, bringing their explosive beats and signature energy from the London Notting Hill Carnival to Dubai. Grime sensations Heartless Crew will also light up the UAE for the first time with their high-octane show.

On the Afroloud Stage, you can enjoy an Amapiano takeover with top-tier talent and surprise Afrobeat guests, including DJ Pioneer, Focalistic, Kamo Mphela and Daliwonga.

The Butterfly Carnival Festival is expected to span five stages, and performances also include acrobats, dancers, drummers and more. Plus, there will be street food trucks and bars, so you can refuel. Kicking off in the early afternoon, the carnival-esque event promises to bridge cultures through food, artistic showcases, and the universal language of music.

For the first time in Dubai, an Escola de Samba will ignite the vibrant energy of Brazilian street parades, featuring samba dancers, live bands, and DJs spinning an electrifying mix of Baile funk, samba, reggaeton, and salsa. Expect carnival costumes alongside a diverse array of dining options, including Allo Beirut (Lebanese), Hyperama (South African), Mamacita (Latin) and Ting Irie (Caribbean).

Butterfly Carnival tickets are available via Platinumlist. AED 200 (general admission), AED 550 (brunch and admission) and AED 500 (VIP, including fast-track entry and terrace access).

GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.