The recent ‘Battle of the Baddest’ boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia attracted a number of celebrity spectators.
Among them were footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, boxer Connor McGregor, and rapper Eminem.
But one face the world was surprised to see in Riyadh was Kanye West.
READ MORE! How Francis Ngannou went from being homeless to UFC Champion living in lavish Las Vegas apartment
The American rapper and producer was spotted at the Battle of the Baddest event at the prestigious Kingdom Arena on October 28.
Kanye West wasn’t in Saudi Arabia just for the fight, though; he was also visiting the Kingdom on business.
Apparently, the controversial rapper has chosen the serene deserts of Saudi Arabia as the backdrop for his latest music production.
Ye set up shop at the five-star Banyan Tree resort in Al Ula, where he’s been working on his upcoming collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign.
And to be fair, it’s not hard to see why the rapper chose Al Ula.
For thousands of years, northwest Saudi Arabia has attracted people who come to take advantage of the abundant resources offered by its fertile oases.
Al Ula was was one of them, a vital crossroads along the famous incense-trading routes running from southern Arabia, north into Egypt, and beyond.
With oases dotting the area, it offered a much-needed respite for weary travelers, becoming a popular place to rest, commune and recharge.
Set in an area known as the world’s largest living museum, the Banyan Tree resort is just a short flight from Riyadh.
And Kanye West didn’t waste any time making himself at home there, setting up his mobile studio equipment in his villa, and taking full advantage of the resort’s amenities.
As well as a spa, the desert retreat has a gym, a rock pool tucked away in between the sandstone mountains, a Bedouin tent, and an award-winning on-site restaurant serving both local cuisine and Thai food.
Sounds like the perfect setting for Ye to work on his next masterpiece.
