British rap star Wiley will support Macklemore and Ryan Lewis when the Grammy award winning duo take to the stage at du Arena, Yas Island on April 25.

The ‘Godfather of Grime’ has previously performed in the UAE, at Dubai’s dxb Music Festival in 2012 alongside Afrojack. He returns with yet more awards and success behind him, including the Best Male gong at the MOBO Awards (Music Of Black Origin).

Wiley is credited as a pioneer of the British rap scene following the release of ‘Eskimo’ back in 2002, considered to be the track that launched ‘grime’  onto the mainstream. He has since enjoyed chart success with tunes like ‘Heatwave’ and ‘Wearing My Rolex’.

“April 25 at the du Arena is going to be massive,” the star said. “Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have come on the scene and they’re making a big impact. We share the same ideas about creating different sounds but remaining true to our underground roots so I expect it’s going to be a special show.”

He added: “The UAE crowds know their music and especially their rap so I’m looking forward to giving them what they want.”

Topping the bill on the night will be Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The ‘Can’t Hold Us’ and ‘Thrift Shop’ duo hail from Seattle and are well known for the outlandish videos and general tone of the rap lyrics, with fun at the very centre of everything they do. For example, their biggest hit – Thrift Shop – calls for clothing donations from fans’ grandfathers and jokes about how cheap his faux-fur jacket cost him. In ‘And We Dance’, Macklemore dresses in a glittery one-piece, complete with Pat Cash-style wig.

As well as Best New Artists, the pair scooped ‘Best Rap Album’ for ‘The Heist’, ‘Best Rap Song’ and ‘Best Rap Performance’ (both for ‘Thrift Shop’) at this year’s Grammys.

Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 7pm, Dhs295. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: Du Arena. thinkflash.ae