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Kanye West – Touch the Sky SA Tour

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8 July 2006 No Comment

THE EDGARS MUSIC SERIES, SABC1, 5FM, METRO FM, GOOD HOPE FM, and BIG CONCERTS are proud to announce the local artists selected to join Kanye West on his two-date “Touch the Sky” SA tour. The platinum selling Amu and super-group Jozi will be supporting in Johannesburg, and the multi-talented Lungelo and DJ/MC Redds, are set to support in Cape Town. Performances are scheduled for the Coca-Cola Dome on the 11th, and the Bellville Velodrome on the 14th of July…

Hip Hop veteran AMU, considered to be the most talented musician and producer, and one of the phattest Hip-Hop cats in S.A, started rapping at a very young age, was inspired by a rap record bought by his father in the early eighties while living in the U.S.A. Since South African Hip Hop is assimilated to the US, in language and presentation, it has never really been given a unique identity – Amu aims to change that. The founder of rap group Township Frquency, was one of the first MC’s to fuse vernacular in an English flow. His offering on the Yizo Yizo 1 soundtrack took him to new and greater heights, after selling more than 100,000 units. Amu’s 2003 solo effort, The Life, Rap, and Drama, was a critical and popular success, receiving extraordinary radio airplay, and video flightings on SABC, e-TV and Channel 0. The godfather of SA Hip-Hop is changing the way the public perceives local music of this genre. (Performing in JHB only!)

JOZI’s four members bring four different Joburg sounds, and combine them in to a ‘tour de force’ of sonic experience. The group comprises of R n’ B SAMA award winner, Ishmael, who has unquestionably left his mark on the South African music industry, from his days with P.O.C, through to Skeem, and his solo projects along the way. He is skilled and innovative, and his musical touch is contributing to the rapid evolution of homegrown sound. Bongz, a.k.a “Bongani Fassie”, the producer prodigy, adds to production and provides MC flava. From his first solo effort, African Boy, showcasing his extraordinary talent, at the tender age of 10, Bongani has already blessed us with amazing jazz on his Makana Square album, and banging beats on Shiman E.C.T all the way to his recent additions on the Tsotsi sound track. Crazy Lu recently signed to Bongz’s Fassie Records. This vocally talented bad boy, was made popular to his many female fans around the country through various TV appearances. Crazy Lu ups the ante’, and gets you bouncing. Les brings the lyrical edge… and the sex appeal! His undisputable street rhymes, make this a super-group like non-other South Africa has ever seen. (Performing in JHB only!)

LUNGELO, who was bitten by the performance bug at a very young age, first placed his hands on an instrument at the age of 11, and began playing percussions and the keyboard for the local church band. After studying Classical Piano throughout school, he entered the Coca Cola pop stars in 2002 and ended up in the top 20, making him realize that he was destined for a career in music. In 2003, he returned to Pop Stars as the piano player, before attending M7, a school founded and run by Abdullah Ibrahim, one of South Africa’s musical greats. In 2004 he opened for some of South Africa’s well-known artists, including Pitch Black Afro and T.K, and was also one of the opening acts for International star, Blu Cantrell. His performance at last years Cell C Sounds of the City made it clear that Lungelo is well on his way to giving South African music a taste of something they have never seen or heard before. His dedication, passion and patience for his music have seen phenomenal results. (Performing in CT only!)

REDDS, was influenced by the underground sounds of his urban environment, ad tuned into an unlikely mixture of psychedelic rock, electro funk and traditional jazz. Drawing from such a rich tapestry of inspiration, Redds made up his mind from an early age, that music was to be his mentor. His love for music end entertaining a crowd, has led him into becoming a successful full time DJ and MC. (Performing in CT only!)

It is only fitting, that these massively talented and hugely popular local acts support one of the most important creative forces in international Hip-Hop music!

The truly unique, talented Kanye West was recently named in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. West was the creator behind the soulful yet gritty sound on Jay Z’s best tracks, and is in a league of his own, hailed as the future of hip-hop. West earned a whopping, ten nominations for the 47th annual Grammy Awards in 2005, with his debut album The College Drop Out. His second solo album, Late Registration, was met with enormous acclaim, with his trademark sample-based arrangements now expanded to include live instrumentation. Kanye has always been an artist who challenges not only himself, but his audience and his fellow musicians with new ideas and new ways of expressing the joys and sorrows of life through music. 

Combining the awesome sounds of the cream of SA’s Hip-Hop crop, with the pure power and awesome antics of one of the genres biggest superstars, the exhilarating concerts will have you bouncing. 

TOUR ITINERARY

Tuesday, 11 July
Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg 

Friday, 14 July
Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town

TICKET BOOKINGS

www.computicket.com

Call Centre
083 915 8000

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