The highly anticipated youth and contemporary culture festival Sole DXB returns to Dubai Design District this weekend, from 8 to 10 December. This year's edition celebrates 5o years of Hip Hop and is the official host of Mass Appeal's Hip Hop 50 event in the Arab world. From Hip Hop legends to sneaker swaps and homegrown F&B concepts, here is everything you can't miss at Sole DXB 2023.
What to Shop
Sole DXB is a hub for both up-and-coming and established brands and showcases everything from limited-edition collectables and exclusive launches to festival merchandise and local brands. At this year’s event, Farfetch returns with the Farfetch Beat retail programme where visitors can shop exclusively curated products created in collaboration with cultural icons; this year, Beat 012 brings the second instalment of Nas and Futura's vinyl trilogy with 12on12, complete with a Hip Hop 50 cover.
Elsewhere, regional favourites including 5ivepillars, Amongst Few, Precious Trust and Les Benjamins will be open for business alongside AAPE, Adidas, Anti Social Social Club, Crocs and many more. Spotlight by D3 is back for its sixth edition, highlighting global brands that are utilising community-led principles. Of course, the iconic Sneaker Swap & Sneaker Thrift presented in collaboration with YouBetterFly takes pride of place, offering sneaker enthusiasts the ultimate marketplace to buy, sell and trade sneakers.
What to See
Sole Ball Above All, the basketball tournament and Sole DXB staple, returns with 21 teams across men, women and youth. This year will also see the festival’s first skate park, Skate by VICE, complete with vert ramps, replicas of Dubai’s favourite skate locations and a 374-square-metre street skate area.
Gulf Photo Plus presents Occupied Pleasures, a photo exhibition by Tanya Habjouqa that introduces an alternative perspective to the lives of those in occupied Palestine.
Where to Eat
Repeat Sole DXB attendees will know that the festival’s culinary offerings are integral to the weekend. Come hungry for the 2023 edition, as foodie favourites Homer Lobster, Jailbird, Miss Lily’s, Rascals and Chef Halawa will all be dishing up delicacies. Rudy's Diner is this year's lounge space setting up shop in the centre of the festival, and it will be open to visitors over 21 years of age throughout the day.
What to Listen To
Busta Rhymes is headlining Sole DXB this year in celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop. Other performances taking place throughout the venue include Joey Bada$$ presented by Les Benjamins, Lupe Fiasco presented by Asics, Jadakiss, Tac and The Recipe. Aside from musical performances, there are plenty of in-depth panel discussions and talks to attend over the 3-day event. Cinema Akil’s Butheina Kazim moderates a panel discussing how intercultural communication builds community; Joey Bada$$ discusses his creative process at the Les Benjamins space; stylist to Hip Hop legends Karl Kani shares his stories, and author of Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop, Vikki Tobak, will be discussing her latest release, The Streets Win. See the full schedule here and follow Sole DXB on Instagram here for updates
