FILE - This July 7, 2012 file photo shows rapper Rick Ross performing during the OpenAir music festival in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Reebok has ended its relationship with Rick Ross following the heavy criticism surrounding the rapper's lyrics some have called pro-rape. The sneaker brand said in a statement Thursday, April 11, 2013, that “Reebok holds our partners to a high standard and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so.” Rick Ross formally apologized for his lyrics on Rocko's song "U.O.E.N.O.” in a tweet last week. It came the same day a women's group, UltraViolet, protested outside of one Reebok's stores in Manhattan. In Rocko's song, Ross raps about giving a woman the drug MDMA, known as Molly, and having his way with her. (AP Photo/Keystone/Ennio Leanza, file)
FILE - This July 7, 2012 file photo shows rapper Rick Ross performing during the OpenAir music festival in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Reebok has ended its relationship with Rick Ross following the heavShow more

Rick Ross to support Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in Abu Dhabi

Rick Ross has will be making a special appearance as part of the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ Abu Dhabi concert.

Saeed Saeed
Saeed Saeed
Abu Dhabi

April 17, 2014

Rick Ross will be making a special appearance as part of the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ Abu Dhabi concert. The American gangster rapper will make his debut in the capital next Friday, April 25, at du Arena in Yas Island.

Ross is a big drawcard, having topped the charts with his recent album Mastermind featuring an A-list band of collaborators including Jay Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne. Released last month, Mastermind was described in this paper’s review as “marrying his street swagger and clever wordplay with cinematic beats”. Ross joins fellow support artists including the UK’s grime rapper Wiley.

Check out our interview with Ryan Lewis in Arts&Life next week.