If you weren’t lucky enough to be at Durban’s People’s Park this weekend for MTV Africa All Stars gig, then don’t despair; tune into the TV premiere of “MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion” this Saturday for a dazzling special on the historic concert (MTV Base, DStv Channel 322, 25 May @16:00 CAT). More than 12,000 music fans of all ages rocked Durban’s People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday 18 May as MTV Base and KwaZulu-Natal Province staged the sensational All Stars concert, MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal with Snoop Lion.
The sell-out concert featured show-stopping performances from Snoop Lion and an all star lineup of Africa’s biggest contemporary music stars, including 2Face, D’Banj, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Professor, Big Nuz, Camp Mulla, Zakes Bantwini and Zahara. DJ Cleo and DJ Caise performed, while DJ Tira took to the stage as part of Big Nuz’s set.
The outdoor gig was a triumph from the moment Camp Mulla opened the concert with “Fresh All Day”, to the finale where Snoop Lion was joined on stage by all the African artists. Highlights included Snoop Lion’s first appearance on stage singing “Here Comes the King”, dressed in a traditional leopard skin Zulu outfit gifted him by members of the Zulu royal family, a beautiful acoustic version of “Loliwe” by Zahara, a bubble-strewn performance of “La Vie est Belle” by Congolese artist Fally Ipupa, a typically upbeat set by Big Nuz, and a high octane finale of “Young, Wild & Free” by Snoop Lion and the African All Stars, in which every member of the audience joined. Other show-stopping moments included a duet of “Mr Endowed” by Snoop Lion and D’Banj, while Big Nuz, Zakes Bantwini and Professor did their best to teach Snoop Lion some new moves, Zulu-style!
State-of-the-art lighting saw People’s Park bathed in a kaleidoscope of colour, while a stunning LED light show, gorgeous graphics, CO2 jets, pyrotechnics, giant globes and confetti canons completed the out-of-this-world staging on the gigantic purpose built All Stars stage.
The Twitterverse was alight with noise about the concert, with Tweets from a wide range of celebrities, artists and entities including DJ Fresh (377,190 followers), Flavour (24,831 followers), DJ Cleo (100,895 followers), Nomuzi (13,091 followers), Sizwe Dhlomo (161,058 followers), Gagasi FM (14,558 followers), Mi Casa (100, 847 followers), Zahara (108,095 followers), DJ Caise (42,269 followers), Camp Mulla (36,968 followers), D’Banj (528,342 followers), Zookey Zarling (6,841 followers), Beat FM presenter Gbemi (32,578 followers), Sfiso Sibiya (7,360 followers), MTV on DSTV (1,677 followers) and reality show star and socialite Penny Lebyane (49,276 followers).
Tweeting after the concert, Nigerian “kokomaster” D’Banj (@iamdbanj) said, “Wanna thank Durban fr a wonderful time @MTVBaseAfrica fr putting together a great show. To my uncle @SnoopDogg for making history in Africa”. MTV Africa All Stars is hosted jointly by MTV Base and KwaZulu-Natal Province, as part of its commitment to raising the international profile of KwaZulu-Natal as a premier destination for tourism and economic development.
The initiative, first announced in March 2013 has comprised the All Stars concert, an All Stars tour, visiting three cities in Africa, and a high powered music industry workshop for students and musicians in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Speaking on behalf of MTV Base, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, commented, “MTV Africa All Stars was a truly historic occasion and a fabulous showcase for African contemporary talent. All the performers gave awe-inspiring performances and the combination of Snoop and the African talent was electrifying. We are very proud to have partnered with KwaZulu-Natal Province to create such an exciting and ground-breaking initiative that also showcases Durban as a great host city for spectacular events.”
