The final headliner for a massive summer music festival in Lisbon has been revealed.
First launching in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro in 1985, Rock in Rio has been held another nine times in the years since.
One of the largest music festivals in the world, 1.38 million people attended the first event.
In 2004 the festival then expanded to the Portuguese capital, where it’s since been held a total of nine times. Meanwhile it’s also expanded to Madrid and Las Vegas.
This June, four years since it was last held in Lisbon, two massive weekends of music will again see a string of acts take to the stage at Parque Tejo.
The festival previously announced three of its huge headliners – British legend Rod Stewart, American popstar Katy Perry, and rock sensation Linkin Park.
Now, the final headliner has been announced, with British rapper 21 Savage making his long-awaited debut in Portugal at the festival.
Now based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Grammy-winner began his career in 2013 and has released four albums since then.
He’s also worked with Drake, Offset and Post Malone, and has been nominated for eight Grammys – of which he won best rap song with his single A Lot in 2020.
Described as ‘one of the defining voices in modern hip hop’, it’s been teased that his appearance at Rock in Rio Lisbon will see him ‘arrive with a catalogue of global hits and chart-topping projects including American Dream, alongside landmark collaborations such as Savage Mode II with Metro Boomin and Her Loss with Drake’.
Another act just announced to be playing is fellow rapper Central Cee, who broke into the mainstream with Day in the Life and Loading before releasing the chart-topping mixtape 23.
His collaboration with Dave, Sprinter, became the longest-running No.1 rap song in UK chart history, while his debut album Can’t Rush Greatness broke new ground as the first UK rap record to break into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.
Also announced is Rema, an Afrobeats artist who has already sold out venues including Madison Square Garden and O2 Arena.
The Nigerian star achieved worldwide success with the hit Calm Down, whose remix with Selena Gomez became the highest-charting track ever by an African artist on the Billboard Hot 100.
Joining them will also be Brazilian trap star Matuê, Brazilian rapper Filipe Ret, influential funk producer DENNIS, Afropop rising star Irina Barros, Portuguese hip hop artist Carlão, and Spanish pop crossover artist Lola Índigo. As the festival has teased, they will help contribute to ‘the biggest rap-focused day in the history of the Lisbon edition’.
Rock in Rio Lisbon executive vice president Roberta Medina has said the line-up represents ‘the dominant musical language among younger generations around the world’. ‘From hip hop to trap and Afrobeats, these sounds shape global youth culture. Bringing together artists such as 21 Savage, Central Cee and Rema alongside leading voices from Brazil, Spain and Portugal reflects the strength and diversity of this movement.’
Each day of the festival will be themed around specific styles and audiences, with other confirmed artists across the two festival weekends already also including Charlie Puth, Shaggy and Joss Stone.
Rock in Rio Lisbon takes place from June 20-21 and 27-28 in Parque Tejo Lisbon, Portugal.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.