By Richard Eghaghe,
Top American rap artiste and multi-talented Platinum award
winner, Jeffrey Atkins, popular on the international music scene as Ja Rule, and dancehall prodigy and current wave-making soul
music sensation, Kevin Lyttle, will storm the country
this year for another edition of “Star Mega Jam”, an annual music fiesta
sponsored by Star lager brand of the Nigerian Breweries Plc.
Both international music stars were said to have been chosen
for the show by Nigerian music lovers at the last pick a star for Star Mega Jam
2005 SMS campaign launched by the giant beverage company.
It will mark the first time two popular international music
stars would be featuring at the same time in the six-year old history of Star
Mega Jam. The annual international music jamboree, the biggest so far in the
country, has in its past editions featured such popular international music
stars like Awilo Longumba,
Shaggy, Usher Raymond, Koffi Olomide
and 50 Cent. Of the lot, only the organisation of 50
Cent Mega Jam suffered some setback, which the organisers
assured at a press conference in Lagos
during the week would not recur.
According to the Corporate Affairs Director of NB Plc, Mr.
Bola Akingbade, “We recognise
that security continues to be a major concern and challenge to the entertainment
industry. On our part, we have gained tremendous experience in the past few
years. This experience will be brought to bear in the watertight security
arrangements that have been put in place to guarantee hitch-free enjoyment of
the concerts by our numerous consumers and music lovers.
“We successfully piloted the new security arrangements
earlier this year during the Star Trek musical tour of Nigeria
in 10 cities. We can confidently assure consumers of a safe and secured
environment at the concert venues,” he assured.
The visiting top American rap artiste, Ja
Rule, is reputed to have sold well over 15 million album copies world-wide,
with five top 10 chart appearances, while Lyttle,
current R&B toast in the international music arena with his smash single
Turn Me On still dominating airwaves, would be performing alongside a galaxy of
top Nigerian music stars in the Star Mega Jam slated for December 16 and 17,
2005 in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
The selected top Nigerian acts include Muma
Gee, Ruggedman, African China, Sasha,
Obesere, Tony Oneweek, Danfo Drivers, KC Presh, Daddy Showkey, Rasqie, Davin Freewindz, Tony Tetuila and D-Banj.
Also for the first time on Star Mega Jam, the artistes in Lagos
would be performing on a floating barge stage mounted on the Lagoon waterfront.
Music lovers in three Nigerian cities – Benin
(Edo State),
Enugu (Enugu State)
and Jos (Plateau
State) – would also have an
opportunity to watch the Lagos
concert live through a technology-driven Simulcast. “The events in Benin,
Enugu and
Jos would be set up as full concerts with three
Nigerian artistes performing,” said Bola.
Entry into any of the concert venues, according to the
director, will be by participating in the ongoing Star Mega Jam Consumer
Promotion. “All you have to do is drink and enjoy your favourite
Star lager beer, look under the crown corks from November 14, 2005 and collect five crown corks marked
"free entry" and get a free entry ticket to the concerts.
Participants also stand the chance of winning a beautiful Star Mega Jam T-shirt
in the process,” he said. In the alternative, Mr. Akingbade
said a “concessionary fee at the gate” would be charged.
According to the NB Plc spokesman, the Star Mega Jam has
come to stay as the biggest and brightest music event in Nigeria.
“We intend to keep it as one of our ways of thanking millions of our consumers
out there, who continue to keep Star the number one beer in Nigeria.
It has become a brand on its own within the period of its existence and people
look forward to it every year. It has become a strong vehicle for sharing the
unique brightness only Star delivers. This year's concert has been taken to the
next level with these unique innovations to give maximum enjoyment to all
lovers of Star lager beer," he said, while assuring of maximum security at
all concert venues.
11/25/05
Source: independentng.com
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