(Pic: Lira)Lira to appear at Africa Day Concert at the ICC on May 25.
This year’s Africa Day Concert, one of the highlights of the annual African Renaissance Festival, features a stellar line-up of artists including three 2010 SAMA award winners - solo performer Lira, kwaito stars Big Nuz and Afro-pop sensation Ntando, along with gospel group Avante.
Lira is one of the hottest performing artists in South Africa at the moment having won this year’s SAMA for best female solo artist of the year. Her single Feel Good earned her a 2007 SAMA Award in the category Best Music Video, and her 2008 album Soul In Mind was a gold-selling, multi-award winner. This SONY/BMG -signed artist's popularity stretches beyond the borders of South Africa – a few days before her Africa Day performance Lira will be performing at the Africa Festival in Germany.
SAMA award-winning Durban-based kwaito group Big Nuz features Mandla Maphumulo aka Mampintsha, Mzingisi Mkhwanazi aka Danger and Sibusiso Khomo aka R Mashesha. The group was formed in 2002 when they moved from Durban to Johannesburg to hustle for a record deal. The group had four nominations in the South African Music Awards this year and came home with three awards: Best Kwaito, Best Album & Song of the Year as voted by South Africans.
Another SAMA-award-winning artist Ntando Bangani is an Afro-pop performer whose music is influenced by Afro Jazz, reggae, amongst other South African genres. His debut album Kwantu (Cradle of Humanity) sold more than a million copies and he followed that up with Imvelaphi (Heritage) in 2005 which was a triple-platinum smash and garnered several awards, including Song of the Year at both the SAMA and Metro FM Awards for the track Dali Wam. Additionally, he won Best Newcomer, Best Album and Best Male Artist that year.
Avante, one of most highly respected gospel groups in South Africa, makes a welcome appearance at the Africa Day Concert. Although having been relativity quiet in the music scene since their last album Thumi Mvuselelo (2007) was released, these KwaMashu-born gospel musicians have continued to receive airplay on radio and TV channels. Avante is currently working on recording their eleventh album entitled iMpilo at Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre in kwaMashu which runs the Izwi Music production label which has recorded artists like Skhulu Miya and the Gospel Divas.
The performance takes place on May 25 at 18h00 at the ICC Durban arena. Ticket prices (R60 throughout - no concessions) have been kept low to ensure as many fans as possible can enjoy the feast of music. Booking is through Computicket.
The 12th African Renaissance Festival is co-sponsored by Department of Transport, SABC, eThekwini Municipality, Province of KZN, City of Umhlathuze, Ukhozi-fm and East Coast Radio. For more information, phone 031 266 9792 or email reception@wozani.co.za
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