Flash Announces International Pop Sensation Rihanna's Middle

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Media Release

Flash announces International Pop Sensation Rihanna’s Middle Eastern debut at spectacular New Year’s Eve concert in Abu Dhabi.

- Grammy Award-winning singer Rihanna will bring in 2010 at the hippest New Years Eve party the region has to offer

Abu Dhabi, UAE, October 15th 2009 – Flash Entertainment today announced news to thrill music fans across the region, as worldwide pop sensation Rihanna is set to make her Middle East debut, bringing in 2010 in true style in what promises to be the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration for Abu Dhabi.

Performing number one hits like ‘Disturbia,’ ‘Umbrella,’ and ‘Don’t Stop the Music,’ alongside new tracks such as ‘Russian Roulette’, Rihanna will transform the West Lawn of Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace, into a pulsing dance-floor of over 15,000 party-goers. With the pop diva’s fourth album scheduled for release on November 23, 2009, Abu Dhabi revellers will be among the first in the world to hear Rihanna perform her latest hits, live.

At just 17 years old, Rihanna stormed onto the market in 2005 and now claims the most number one singles for any female solo artist this decade.

“With a superstar like Rihanna leading the countdown to 2010, this concert promises to be the hottest ticket in town on the biggest night of the year,” said Managing Director of Flash, John Lickrish. “In just four years, Rihanna has established herself as a pop icon, with millions of records sold worldwide and a huge following here in the Middle East. We’re thrilled to host her regional debut and promise concert- goers a hugely entertaining, all-night New Year’s Eve party on a scale they’ve never seen before.”

Flash also announced that the ‘La Rumba’ party zone is back, and this year will play host to an exclusive ensemble of internationally-renowned DJs before and after Rihanna’s show,

headlined by hip-hop supremo DJ Green Lantern – who has spun for the likes of Eminem – cooking up late-night beats for those chasing the first dawn of 2010.

A host of regional and international DJs will be confirmed by Flash in the coming weeks, for what will be a unique and eclectic night of hip- hop, R&B, pop and dance music.

Tickets for the New Years Eve event will go on sale soon. Follow Flash to stay tuned for further announcement; www.facebook.com/thinkflash, www.twitter.com/thinkflash, www.thinkflash.ae

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

About Rihanna Discovered by a record producer who was vacationing on her home island of Barbados, Rihanna has achieved amazing success in just four years as a recording artist. Signed by then-CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, after her first audition, she rocketed onto the international music scene in the summer of 2005 with her debut album, Music of the Sun. ‘Pon de Replay,’ the album’s stand-out single, caught fire almost immediately, securing the number two position on The Billboard Hot 100 list. Rihanna's sophomore effort, A Girl Like Me, enjoyed even greater success and featured three hit singles: chart-topper ‘S.O.S.’ and two Top Ten hits, ‘Unfaithful’ and ‘Break It Off.’

The pop diva’s third album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), propelled her to new heights of stardom. Hailed by critics as a first-rate dance-pop album, Good Girl Gone Bad featured several wildly-successful singles and included collaborations with Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Timbaland, and StarGate. The lead single, ‘Umbrella,’ shot to number one, as did ‘Take a Bow’ and ‘Disturbia.’

In support of Good Girl Gone Bad, Rihanna embarked on her first headlining tour in September 2007, playing multiple shows across the U.S., Canada and Europe. In April 2008, she began performing with Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. on the ‘Glow in the Dark’

tour, and in August of the same year, she collaborated with West along with Jay-Z on the massive hit single, ‘Run This Town.’ Rihanna is planning a global tour in support of her fourth studio album following its release in late November 2009.

An acclaimed singer-songwriter, Rihanna has received over 50 prestigious musical accolades to date, including a Grammy award, a BET award, two MTV Video Music Awards and three Billboard Awards.

About Flash (www.thinkflash.ae)

Based in Abu Dhabi and founded in July 2008, Flash is an accomplished event consultancy providing flawless execution and an unrivalled experience to all stakeholders across the region. Driven by a team of dedicated professionals, a passion for distinctive events and a commitment to excellence, Flash offers comprehensive solutions which leave lasting impressions.

With a global network of contacts, and an insightful and innovative outlook, Flash brings world-class performers, athletes and musicians to the region and creates memorable and positive experiences that appeal to each and every member of the community. Flash is also perfectly positioned to provide executional support to partners across Abu Dhabi, ensuring strategic alignment and universal standards of excellence across the domestic and regional events scene.

To date, Flash has successfully delivered some the biggest and most memorable live events in Abu Dhabi’s history. From ground-breaking pop stars to world film premieres, Flash’s seamless approach to event design, promotion, planning and implementation has already left an indelible mark on the city having delivered shows featuring leading international and regional performers including Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi, George Michael, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay and Andrea Bocelli.

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