Nikki Minaj set to headline music festival in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday that hip-hop star Nicki Minaj will perform in the ultraconservative kingdom as it sheds decades of restrictions on entertainment.

Saudi organizers announced she would be the headline act at the Jeddah World Fest on July 18.

The concert, which in line with Saudi laws is alcohol and drug-free, is open to people 16 and older and will take place at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium in the Red Sea city.

Reactions on social media ranged from shock and joy to criticism and disappointment.

Nicki Minaj" trended on Twitter on Wednesday as people reacted to the announcement.

"Imagine waking up from a three year coma and the first thing you hear is Nicki Minaj [is] opening a musical festival in Saudi Arabia, I'd honestly think I woke up in some parallel universe," one person wrote.

Another questioned if the event organisers had Googled the performer prior to booking her. "No one in Saudi Arabia googled Nicki Minaj did they?" tweeted Kabir Taneja.

In a video posted on Twitter, a woman wearing a headscarf questioned why the authorities were welcoming the rapper, while requiring Saudi women wear the abaya - a long loose-fitting robe used to cover their bodies in public.

"She's going to go and shake her ass and all her songs are indecent and about sex and shaking ass," she said. "And then you tell me to wear the abaya. What the hell?"

Saudi organizers said the concert will be broadcast globally and covered by MTV. Other performers include British artist Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki. The kingdom is also promising quick electronic visas for international visitors who want to attend.

Over the past several months, the kingdom has seen performances by Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias, the Black Eyed Peas, rapper Sean Paul, and DJs David Guetta and Tiesto.

It's all part of an economic overhaul under Vision 2030, an effort to reduce the kingdom's reliance on oil. The kingdom is attempting to create economic activity at home and encourage citizens to spend their money within its borders.