SAMA award winners Skwatta Kamp are to make a surprise appearance at the MTV base 100th LIVE! concert in Johannesburg on 20 April 2005. The pan-African music TV network today revealed that the fab seven (Slick, Shugasmakx, Nish, Flabba, Bozza, Nemza and Infa) will be joining US rap star Ludacris on stage for an one-off, exclusive musical collaboration during his live set on Wednesday night – after Ludacris recently revealed himself as a fan of the South African hip-hop crew. Skwatta Kamp completes the lineup that includes multi-talented superstar Will Smith with guest appearance by Jazzy Jeff, SAMA victors Lebo Mathosa and Mandoza, and Nigeria’s Seun Anikyulapo Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80 Band. Top SA radio DJs Bad Boy T & DJ Fresh from urban station YFM will also take their own share of the spotlight, acting as joint MCs at the global TV spectacular.

With just two days left until the MTV base 100th LIVE! Concert, Johannesburg is gearing up for the hottest music event of the year. Sponsored by Nokia SA, MTV base 100th LIVE! promises a night of the hottest music under the stars at the Ster Kinekor Top Star Drive-In. Highlights of the night will include a spectacular set-piece opening number from Will Smith, with 10 drummers and 35 dancers while Ludacris’ performance will feature a knockout lightshow by world famous lighting designer Al Gurdon. All performances will be accompanied by specially created animations by CGI animation hotshop Hello Charlie, including a hilarious Austin Powers spoof during Ludacris’ set. 

A vast pool of international and South African talent is working to bring the concert to life. Set designer, Simon Beresford is a regular on MTV’s live events including the prestigious MTV Europe Music Awards, while Event Producer, Andy Derbyshire is a veteran of MTV’s live music shows including Isle of MTV, the MTV Europe Music Awards and MTV Icon. Local South African companies also get to show off their skills, utilising 100% local materials and labour to bring the concert to life. 

In2Structures is in charge of the elaborate set construction for MTV base 100th LIVE! while Gearhouse SA has provided all the equipment and staging for the event. Big Concerts is the event promoter, while Rave Catering is keeping artists and crew supplied with the best South African cooking, Mushroom Productions is the local production partner, and Goodfoot Productions is in charge of the backstage VIP area. Promotions, street marketing and local talent management is being handled by urban market strategists RedEvents while press and publicity is being handled by PR hotshop, PROCOMM public relations, with support from Melanie Ramjee (Hype Communications). Premium drinks marketing powerhouse, Brandhouse is providing beverages for the concert.

MTV base 100th LIVE! is an exclusive celebration of the best of international and African musical talent, and was created to mark the birth of MTV base, MTV Networks’ 100th TV channel worldwide. MTV base 100th LIVE! broadcasts around the world on MTV channels from 20 May 2005.

Tickets for MTV base 100th LIVE! priced 111 Rand (including booking fee) are available exclusively in South Africa from Computicket outlets, via the Computicket call centre (083 915 8000) or its on-line bookings system @ www.computicket.com. 

MTV base is distributed via an Africa-wide network of cable, satellite and MMDS (Multichannel, Multipoint Distribution System) distribution systems. The channel will also aim to reach a broader mass African audience via branded programming blocks on third party terrestrial broadcasters across Africa. MTV base reaches approximately 1.3 million households in 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa via multi-channel operators DStv, Trend TV, CTL and FSTV.

Submitted by: admin