All 'Gassed' out at The RIOT Concert

............Featuring ?uestLove of the Roots

Was looking forward to this concert for weeks....

Now one of the Roots unplugged albums' is a soundtrack to my life. I simply adore the hiphop group who have influenced my life in many ways. In addition to one of my local girl having dated the man himself years ago, I was eager to see him perform as a DJ solo.


Invited by Nike SA, I really didnt mind paying to see the legend in action but welcomed the invite. The night started off slowly with some of my favourite performers, 340ml and Tumi rocking the crowd that was there. DJ Papercut played a killer set that had me jumping up and down like a teenager. The venue was filling up.

Kenzero took to the stage much to my delight after discovering People Party in the last few months when he took my top DJ in SA position. Love him.

Two tracks into his set, I start seeing people coughing and walking away. I only understood what was going on when the fumes hit me. It felt like tear gas. Suddenly the entire club is empty with people running in every direction trying to get out. At this time I am coughing uncontrollaby in the upstairs VIP area. I also leave the venue to get fresh air and hopefully make the most of the rest of the evening.

Twenty minutes later, ?uestlove is brought on stage to attract the people back in. He pulled everybody back in within minutes. Many people were still feeling sick.

I was one of them. My lungs were in agony in addition to my stomach cramping. After 15 minutes, I left the venue much to my disgust in the person to did it.

Having done events myself over the years, I understand the competition in the 'game' but this was just not necassary. Reminds me of the Smirnoff press conference in New York with Nas and Pharell Williams, about why international artists are so weary to come out to the continent. And there you have some idiot proving them right.

Anyway sabotage attempt or not, most of the people came back in, the promoter made his money and all went on as planned after the interruption. So to the silly party popper who did to it, GET A LIFE...

Long Live Kabomo and Kenzero...Long Live HIP HOP...Lets be one!

Wyclef Kills it...

Okay now that I have recovered from the long weekend, I can share my somewhat old yet never outdated experiences over the long weekend.

Got an invite from MTN's fab Pondo 2 days before the show. Heard that Wyclef was coming to town but didnt really think I was a fan, let alone calling around looking for an invite if i didnt get one. Thanks girl...

I went along to the show and what a show it was. In fact one of the best shows I have been to this year. Finally a platform to compete with the Heineken Green Room Sessions. Damn we have so few options in this town.

Anyway back to the story. The VIP lounge was set up beautifully with the traditional Black and God MTN colours. Guests were new faces, few celebs and socialites. Nice to see new faces for a change. Loved it.

Thomas aka Bad Boy T Mc'ed the gig and Obita opened the live show.

The Wyclef Jean took the stage in a Red PVC jacket and Steve Biko tee. The crowd erupted in applause. He opened with a tribute track to the late legend Lucky Dube. This was followed by all his hits over the years (911, Dollar Bill and Two Wrongs), some Fugee tracks and a few collabs he had done with other artists.

I suddenly realised that I was indeed a fan. I knew all the words to every song. I jumped and danced around in my high heels singing at the top on my lungs with everyone around me.

After an hour of intense and energetic moves on the stage, Wyclef departing saying he would be back in his PJ's. A few minutes later, he appeared on stage with his bright yellow pyjama's. Unlike any artist I had ever seen at the Bassline, he took his perfomance off stage onto the stairs, in the crowd and even swung on the rails in the technical sound booth. OMG.

WOW, what a performer. I was stunned at this 38 year olds energy much like my own (he he He). He returned to stage with his shirt off. He can add sexy to his long list of attributes: Vocalist, guitarist, comedian, dancer, activist, drummer and general nice guy.

The show ended on a high note over 2 hours later with his request to the crowd to sing the national anthem. Be it he is real or not, you could feel he was sincere about what he was saying. He did the research and he spoke sense. Never did he mention that 'he was happy to be home'. Loved every minute of it.

Much love to MTN for the show. And much respect and love to Wyclef, a true artist in every form...

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

Dear Tina Turner, it's no longer Halloween ... nor is it 1985. Therefore, your 23-year-old "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" getup has got to go!

Africa Music Awards 2008

The 1st Africa Music Awards (AMAs) is tipped to be the biggest African awards event, exploding with the exquisite continent’s rich music and culture. This just after the 1st MTV Africa Awards (the MAMA's)

The night will be hosted by Eddie Kadi and Gina Yashere.

Date: 27th December 2008

Venue: TROXY (490 Commercial Road, London E1).

Within its niche, the AMA will expose the incredible richness of African music and culture, showcasing the breath-taking performances from the Continent’s music giants and top musicians.

The event will broadcast to over 10 million viewers worldwide, and a select audience of 2500 consisting of the crème de la crème of society.

Come and experience this glitter event, with its A-List musicians from Africa, the UK and Caribbean. There will be a limited amount of tickets available as there will be a host of A LIST VIP celebrities and dignitaries appearing and attending on the night. Said to have performers like D'Banj and TuFace with nominees like HHP and Jozi from South Africa.

Dont miss out on one of the UK's highest profile events of the year.

Tickets on sale via WWW.TICKETWEB.CO.UK at £20.00, £35.00 and £100.00 (VIP).http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user?query=search&region=xxx&category=misc&search=africa+music+awards

Voting begin on 1st December 2008.

THIS EVENT WILL BE FILMED

Strictly Come Dance finals - WHAT A NIGHT!

Now I am not much of a reality show fan, so when it comes to a dance show, I would never have thought I would get addicted. Strictly Come Dance, what a grande finale last night. OMG!

My collegue got my hooked on the show a few weeks back, and then of course there was also my girl Anele in the show. After having a two friends who had previously won the competition, Zuraida and Jabba, I thought what the hell and gave it a watch.

I was sad when Anele was voted off last week, and unfortunately was already too caught up in the excitement not to watch the finale last night. And what a show it was.

Sadly after the ever beautiful Cindy Nell & Jonathan Broadway were voted out, it was obviuos who the winner was. Come to think of it, it was pretty clear from the beginning.

Rob van Vuuren together with dance partner Mary Martin were crowned King and Queen of the Ballroom dance floor, during one of the most emotional episode I had ever seen.

Strictly Come Dancing winner Rob Van Vuuren was outstanding in his performace, and a clear favourite for both the judges and viewing public from the very beginning.

The scores for the top two couples were as follows:

Rob van Vuuren & Mary Martin

1st Dance: 40

2nd Dance: 39

3rdDance: 40

Total: 119/120

Tessa van Duuren & Grant Esterhuizen

1st Dance: 39,

2nd Dance: 36

3rd Dance: 37

Total: 112/120

Tessa gave an excellent performance with her partner and deserved to be in the finals.

Thanks guys for all the entertainment....

POPAFRICANA-The Africana global book of style

Great site....

Check it out

http://www.popafricana.com/

And the nominees are....

So the Grammy Nominations were announced last night...

Lil Wayne had an astounding eight nominations earning him first place for artist with the most number of nominations this year.

Coldplay took second place with seven, while some of my favourites Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West each got six.

Adele got four nominations while UK's Leoan Lewis and the ever sexy Rihanna got three nominations.

Estelle, one of all favs over the last few years has finally be noticed by the Grammie people. Yeah Yeah babygirl. With two nominations at the 51st annual Grammy Awards taking place next year, I know she will take them both home.