April 13, 2006
By Tammy O'Reilly
UNTIL a few years ago, international artists gave South Africa a wide berth. Now, as if making up for lost time, fans are getting not one, but three of the world's most popular artists this weekend.
The honey-voiced R&B diva Ashanti, soulful hip-hop performer Lauryn Hill and the legendary Regina Belle take to the same stage at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate on Saturday, 15 April for the Redds Divas Concert.
All three artists have carved names for themselves in the music industry, with Hill becoming the queen of hip-hop and Ashanti the princess of R&B.
Hill first joined seminal hip-hop group the Fugees when she was 13. After several albums that barely featured on the music world radar, the group made its breakthrough with The Score. But no long after its popularity boomed, Hill left to begin her solo career.
The move proved to be a good one and her first solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill earned her 10 Grammy Award nominations, five of which she won. With her unique integration of rap, soul, reggae and R&B, Hill now has fans across the world.
Ashanti – who is also a model, a dancer and, more recently, an actress – is no stranger to fame. He singing career started when she paired up with rap giants Fat Joe and Notorious BIG on two duets.
Her first solo release debuted at the top of the R&B charts and since then she has gone on to win a number of awards for her albums, including a Grammy in 2003 for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
In celebration of women who have left their marks on the international and local music industry, the concert also features our very own divas Simphiwe Dana, Lebo Mathosa, KB and Bongo Maffin.
Proceeds from the concert will go to three non-governmental organisations that provide shelter and support for women. Tickets are available at Computicket outlets or on 011 340 8000 or 083 915 8000 or through the Computicket website.
They range from R190 for seated to R320 for tickets closest to the stage. The concert is expected to run for five hours.
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