Heineken Music, 5fm and Big Concerts are proud to announce the upcoming tour of Hip-Hop heavyweight Jay-Z, and Caribbean Queen, Rihanna. The highly talented stars will be jetting into South Africa this October, for a 3-date tour which will see them performing in Cape Town on the 11th, in Durban on the 13th, and finally in Johannesburg on the 14th.

Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Manager for Heineken in S.A, expressed his delight at the forthcoming events “We are extremely excited about bringing Jay-Z and Rihanna to South Africa. Heineken is at the forefront of many great music events and initiatives around the world, and being a premium cosmopolitan brand, we are pleased to be presenting these two world class artists!”

5fm’s Marketing Manager, Aisha Mohamed commented: “5fm are extremely proud and excited to be involved in the South African tour of Jay-Z and Rihanna. Jay-Zs influence on contemporary hit music as a musician, producer and businessman is without peer. He’s an amazing performer and it’s an absolute treat for 5fm to have an artist of his stature in our country,

Jay-Z’s recent performance at Radio City Music Hall sold out in less than two minutes, and Rihanna’s second album has already been certified Platinum. Apart from their massive global success, both artists have had significant achievement in South Africa, with their hits climbing the charts at local radio stations, especially 5fm.

Whenever hip-hop has needed a kick-start, Jay-Z a.k.a Jigga a.k.a Shawn Carter, has answered the call. With worldwide album sales in excess of 33 million, he is takes the game to the next level employing his lyrical genius, charm and intellect. These same qualities, and his penchant for knocking’ out flavourful tunes, have also earned him a horde of devout fans. After bursting onto the scene in 1990 with “The Originators”, Jay-Z hooked up with Damon Dash and Kareem Biggs to form the now multi-million dollar, multi-platinum empire, Roc-A-Fella Records. His 1996 debut album, “Reasonable Doubt”, driven by the hits “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” “Feelin’ It” and the Gold single “Ain’t No *****”, made him a household name, and cemented his reputation as an up-and-coming rhyme-wrecka’, but it wasn’t until his third album, the Grammy Award winning “Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life”, that the legend was born, and spawned one of the highest-grossing rap tours of all time. His follow up albums earned him yet another Grammy Award, two Source Awards, a BET Award, two Soul Train Award, a Billboard Music Award, and a whopping three MTV Video Music Awards. Jay-Z’s tenth album, “The Black Album”, featuring production by Eminem, Kanye West, The Neptunes, among others debuted at Number 1. The lead single, “Change Clothes,” became the fastest growing single on Billboard’s hip/R&B chart and Rhythmic Charts. USA Today said “it’s Jigga’s trademark lyrical dexterity and diversified deliveries that put him on a level all his own…” “Collision Course”, a collaboration with Rock outfit Linkin Park, has seen Hip-Hop enter yet another era of dimension, and Jay-Z has emerged as the leading “Don” of the Rap game

Rihanna, the Barbados-born beauty has re-energized the music scene with her rich, cultural fusion of dancehall and raga, with a fresh R&B soul sound. Her debut album, “Music of The Sun”, was nominated for 2005’s Record of The Year, with the first single “Pon De Replay”, debuting at No.2 on the charts, mashing up dancehalls worldwide!

Rihanna’s second world-wide phenomenon, the “Tainted Love” sampled “SOS” hit Number 1 on the charts world-side, driving her latest album, “Girl Like Me” into Platinum status, and to the top of the Billboard charts. The sultry pop diva has also been chosen to represent Clinique Happy fragrance in a new campaign to begin in December. Rihanna displays vocal dexterity way beyond her years and writes songs with substance, neatly wrapped in catchy melodies and rhythms.

Def Jam’s president and his label’s rising stars performances promise to be mind-blowing – a provocative and soulful meditation on hip-hop life, a catchy mixture of handclaps, drum rhythms and soulful sound, and the pure power of a lyrical genius.

11th October:  The Bellville Velodrome Cape Town

13th October:  ABSA Stadium, Outer Fields, Durban

14th October:  The Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

Tickets available from Computicket outlets or www.computicket.com

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