SOUTH AFRICA: Colombian singer Juanes and 'Black Eyed Peas' to join African stars at FIFA concert

Record ID: 456096

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Colombian singer Juanes and 'Black Eyed Peas' to join African stars at FIFA concert
  • Date: 10th June 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF ANGELIQUE SINGING
  • Embargoed: 25th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8GM0OTHD2A8MFA4OFFQ2RBLWC
  • Story Text: International music stars teamed up with South African musicians in Johannesburg's SoccerCity on Thursday (June 9).
    The team of musicians and singers are preparing to rock the new stadium with a huge concert on the eve of the first World Cup on African soil. The Colombian singer Juanes and the 'Black Eyed Peas' are joining forces with John Legend and Vusi Mahlasela, a South African artist who performed at former President Nelson Mandela's inauguration in 1994 following the country's first multi-racial elections.
    Shakira, one of the best-known artists on the bill, will perform the tournament's official theme song This Time for Africa with South African band Freshly Ground.
    "The great thing about music and the great thing about sports, especially soccer, football, is that it's global, it brings all of these people together, from different cultures, different backgrounds, who speak different languages. But music is a universal language, and this competition - football - is a universal language and I am just excited to be part of this huge global event, where we see everyone get together and transcend all the boundaries of countries and race and culture to unite together, and I am excited to be part of this culture," said Will.I.Am from the 'Black Eyed Peas'.
    "Latin American and African cultures are very connected, everything is about passion, everything is about rhythm, everything is about life, and that is what we are going to do tomorrow and for the next two months, just celebrating peace and united and the best for the world," said Juanes. He hoped that one of the two continents would take the coveted World Cup trophy in July.
    Footballers including South Africa's Lucas Radebe will introduce the acts at the concert in Soweto's Orlando Stadium, which organizers say will draw an even bigger global television audience than Live Earth in 2007. It is the first time a music concert has been held as part of World Cup opening events, and African musicians say it should win them rare international exposure.
    Concert organizer Kevin Wall said the venue in Soweto was a symbolic choice for an event that aims to raise the profile of African music.
    "I just want to say, I think what the Black Eyed Peas says, 'let's get this party started'. Tomorrow night we kick off the World Cup, and it's going to be the great party of the century. It's broadcast around the world. We can't wait, watch it on TV or come to see it."
    The artists were among the first to feel the pristine grass of the Soccer City stadium which, with sparkling orange stands and vast television stands, will host the tournament's opening match on Friday between South Africa and Mexico.
    They kicked footballs into the air to the whoops of a small crowd of onlookers who snuck in to grab a glimpse of the stars, who said they hoped the concert would get music fans and soccer fans warmed up for the first game.
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