|
Vanguard (Lagos)
Ogbonna Amadi
Double
Grammy award winner, Cornell Haynes, popularly known as Nelly and
self-appointed "King of New York," Nasir Jones, popularly known as Nas,
are the two international artistes to perform at the 2008 edition of
the popular Star Mega Jam, the international music concert sponsored by
Star Lager Beer.
Both headliners were
overwhelmingly chosen by Nigerian music lovers for the 9th edition of
the event which is slated to hold on Friday, December 12, in Lagos and
Saturday, December 13 in Abuja with remote broadcast in Akure and
Lokoja.
Nelly and Nas are very excited to be part of the
eight-year-old biggest music concert in Africa which has so far
thrilled Nigerian music lovers with Shaggy Bombastic, Awilo Longomba,
Usher Raymond, Koffi Olomide, 50 Cent, Jay Rule, Kelvin Little, LL Cool
J, Akon, Kanye West and T-Pain.
They would be
joined by the best of the best of Nigerian music superstars. The parade
includes P-Square, D Banj, 9ice, Timaya, Face and Olu Maintain amongst
others.
According to Ageni Yusuf, Corporate
Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, having consistently
entertained Nigerian music fans for the past eight years, Star is
taking the concert a step higher by introducing simultaneous broadcast
to ensure that consumers in other regions also feel the excitement.
Nelly, an unknown rapper from a sleepy Midwestern
metropolis stunned the recording industry in 2000, selling over a
quarter of a million copies of his debut album, Country Grammar during
its first week of release.
The spirited rapper
from St. Louis, Missouri quickly proved his star potential with follow
up singles, E.I and Ride Wit Me, on an album that would go on to sell 9
million copies.
Out of the gate, the staying
power of this breakout artist from the Midwest was underestimated by
coastal critics, a naïve assumption that Nelly would easily overcome.
Two
years later, his sophomore album, Nellyville, established his
widespread appeal, selling six million albums and earning him two
Grammy for the Singles, Hot in Herre and Dilemma.
Nas,
the son of Jazz musician, Olu Dara, beginning with his classic debut,
IIImatic in 1994, stood tall for years as one of New York City's
leading rap voices, outspokenly expressing a righteous, self-empowered
swagger that endeared him to critics and hip hop purists.
Whether proclaiming himself "Nasty Nas" or "Nas
Escobar" or "Nastradamus" or "God's Son," the self-appointed King of
New York battled numerous adversaries for his position atop the
epicenter of East Coast rap, none more challenging than Jay Z, who vied
with Nas for the vacated throne left in the wake of the Notorious
B.I.G's 1997 assassination.
|
