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So Lil Kim was recently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where she performed at one of the popular music festivals in East and Central Africa, Fiesta “Jipanguse” Festival on Aug 8th.

From this angle, could be Lil Kim or Nicki Minaj…#justsaying!

The festival is an annual event featuring various entertainments including culture, sports, and music, and this year, Lil Kim was the headlining international artists to perform.

Lil Kim also caught up with the folks at the popular radio station in Tanzania, Cloud FM. Check out her radio interview:

Peep Lil Kim‘s performance:

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What Do You Guys Think?!?

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Holla back & let us know that you did….

Muah & ♥ ya for it

Photo: Lil Kim Zone

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So anticipation was high in Johannesburg for American R&B/Soul artist NeYo’s concert. The concert tickets were sold out and the Coca-Cola Dome was packed to capacity. All this after a near-scare that NeYo had not made it to the country!!  Apparently NeYo was a no-show on Friday night for a press conference at the Radisson Hotel in Sandton. So the folks at new event management company, BlueBlack Productions (Sanele Buthelezi, CEO & Gesh Nconco, Media Relations) tried to “manage” the situation, given that about 40 or so members of the press had been invited.

So when the word spread that NeYo was a no show, folks starting a trending topic on Twitter, “#FindingNeyo” – very funny! My favorite being MetroFM’s Melanie Bala’s tweet:

Well, NeYo did finally show up in South Africa…& rock lovely he did!

NeYo & Allegro backstage at The Coca Cola Dome

Radio DJ, TBO-Touch and Vuzu television presenter, Siya Ngwekazi co-hosted the concert and the audience were entertained by JR, a rather rude HHP (I had an “encounter” with him backstage. All I gotta say is so much for RESPECT!), “Gorgeous George the beat boxer”, and SAMA award winner Brian Themba. For a while during his performance I thought I was listening to Maxwell. Brian is amazing to listen to and I now understand why he deserved that SAMA award.

Allegro with Brian Themba

TBO Touch (on right with black jacket), DJ Milkshake (next to Touch) & friends backstage

The moment we’ve all been waiting for finally came and NeYo made a spectacular entrance onto the stage. Looking handsome in a black and white suit…and the hat, he walked onto the stage and the Dome became ALIVE. (At this point I was backstage with his dancers but I felt his energy). It was definitely one of those electrifying moments…His stage presence, the set, dancers, the costumes, the choreography, the sound, the energy – BANANA’s!!!!

NeYo gave first-class performance including all his hit-songs and hit songs that he penned for other artists. He sang his version of Mario’s “Let me love you”, Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable”, and Rihanna’s “Take a bow”. He saluted Michael Jackson for being the “greatest artist ever to be born“. NeYo even dressed in a Michael look-alike outfit, including the white socks *smile*. And when he performed his hit song “Closer” (or Sondela in my language), in my opinion that performance shut it down for me….♥’ed it!

Crowd shot

NeYo definitely ROCKED all my favorite songs “Miss Independent”, “Single”, “Mad” and “Go on girl”.  I was not much of a fan of his song “Lie to me” but after his live performance, I literally stood teary-eyed in awe (cheesy I know!). NeYo had a song for just about all his fans though! He had the crowd rocking…ask anyone who was at the concert if it was worth it and they will tell you that “NeYo’s performance was worth every cent of their ticket”. He was truly entertaining. He performed at his best and set the bar even higher for both local and international artists in terms of live performances. I also loved the fact that his voice was not any different from how he sounds on his CD’s (this is a biggie for me).

I respect NeYo both as an artist and a person especially after meeting with him backstage. We had our kodak moments and he took some time to chat with me about his upcoming album that he is currently working on, his visit so far in South Africa, he hearts South Africa y’all, & his new single release coming soon…

NeYo’s entourage were very nice to me, and they were very excited to be in South Africa (like, who wouldn’t be?!? Mzansi fo sho!). I posed for pics with most of the crew members including Mr. Ward, James, D.L. (I call the hottie) and one of the dancers, Cliff (another hottie, see for yourself…)

Allegro & Cliff backstage

From the concert we (NeYo’s entourage & I) made our way to Premium, a night spot in Sandton for the official after-party (very nice & fun times were had!). The American’s have a taste of the South African club life, (Cliff couldn’t help but get his grind on, on the dance floor – hehehehehehe).

I have nothing more to say about NeYo’s performance in Jo’burg except…WOW!! He deserved my “standing ovation” *in my best Rihanna voice*. Next stop for NeYo is Cape Town where he performs tomorrow…in case you were wondering, NeYo did make his Cape Town press conference…

Special thanks to Gesh & the folks at BlueBlack Productions! Kudo’s guys!

From your girl Allegro Dinkwanyane – “I’m just saying & in this case I really mean it guys” *wink*, so have your say…

What do you think of NeYo as an artist and what’s your favorite NeYo song? Holla back & let us know your thoughts….

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

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Hey it’s your girl, Allegro & yep, it’s official! Ne-Yo is coming to Mzansi fo sho *wink*!

The “So Sick” & “Miss Independent” hit maker is making his way to South Africa this coming May. His two night concert will take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Ne-Yo is scheduled to kick-start things off on the 1^st of May at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg and later pay his “Capetonian” fans a visit on the 4^th at the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town.

Ne-Yo & Farai in U.S.A

South Africa’s most colorful rapper JR will be the opening act for Ne-Yo. No doubt that he will be showing them how things are done South African style, come “show dem”.

For those who don’t know Ne-Yo is the soulful R&B heart-throb who brought us the hits such as “Closer”, “Addicted”, “Do you”, “Mad” and off course the hard working ladies anthem, “Miss Independent”. When this song was released almost every girl was caught saying “ooh, that’s my song”. Just when I thought he wouldn’t make me cry to one of his songs, he went on to release “Part of the list”, which still brings tears to my eyes. Fact is this song is beautifully written and well performed song.

Peep vid below to what I’m raving about (even I fell in love with this song – corny I know)…

I also hear that Ne-Yo has mastered has dancing skills, so there’s lots more to expect from this talented award winning artist. But will he ever match the skills of Usher, M.J. or Chris Brown? Which ever one you like…Come judge for yourself”. DON”T SAY I DIDN”T TELL YOU!

Tickets are on sale at Computicket & Shoprite stores, ranging from R250-R420. TRUST ME, you don’t want to be on the receiving side when Ne-Yo‘s concert is the talk of town.

From your girl, Allegro, peace, I’m out!

Will ya be going? Holla back & let us know!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

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So by now you probably heard that Lil Wayne‘s sentencing yesterday has been postponed to next week Monday because the Judge ordered repairs to be done to the building which was caused by a fire on Monday…I know right! What kinda ish is this?… Anyway, he made the most of his “free” time with a surprise performance at Jay Z‘s Blue Print 3 tour stop in New York City, rapping “I’m going in, I’m going in & I’mma go hard“…alrightie then! Well, check Lil Wayne going in…

Jay Z, Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, & co were in all BLACK everything as they shut it down at Madison Square Garden in New York City Tuesday night! Here are some flicks from the concert:

And Trey Songz…

After party was at Jay Z’s club 40/40 in New York City… & alot of celebs came out including Michelle Williams, Drake, LeBron James…

Bey came through to support hubby!

Drizza!

Jeezy

…I mean errythang black! Let the good times roll…

Muah & ♥ ya guys!

Photo: Getty Images / Zimbio

]]> http://faraitoday.com/2010/03/04/jay-zs-blue-print-3-tour-stops-in-new-york-citys-madison-square-garden/feed/ 0 http://faraitoday.com/2009/11/02/entertainment-round-up/ http://faraitoday.com/2009/11/02/entertainment-round-up/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:26:18 +0000 farai http://faraitoday.com/?p=2514

Hey guys & dolls, hope you had a fab weekend!

Actress, Robin Givens signing autographs & chatting to fans after performing in the play DERANGED

So I hung out with the really big dolls [Jillian, Ty, Barbara, Diane] of Detroit this weekend! We were celebrating my “big sis” Jillian Blackwell‘s  birthday! Ty Adams, founder & CEO of Girls Gone God, Minister Barbara Smith of Hidden Jewels International and PR & Marketing guru Diane Palmer came out for the evening fun [dinner & play]! Fun times!

I had not been to a musical stage play in a long time, so this was a great to hang out with girls. We laughed so hard, the play was hilarious! Robin Givens plays Maria, a live-in nanny for a young successful Black family…Maria a very sweet and quiet “librarian type” that the family falls instantly in love with — however something is not quite right with Maria! Turns out Maria has quite an agenda but how do you handle a woman that’s DERANGED?…

Actress Robin Givens & I

First of all, I absolutely heart Robin…she is an amazing actress! She was hilarious in the play DERANGED that was co-written by Angela Barrow Dunlap and Vanessa Lynn! The play was really good [needs to be tightened up] but overall I think it can get out on tour! Great to see Angie doing her “Tyler Perry” thing again…

2009 NYC Marathon winners, Derartu Tulu & Meb Keflizighi

Over in New York City, the marathon took place this weekend and of course the Africans won!

The 2009 NYC Marathon winners were for the women, Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia and for the men, Meb Keflizighi of Eritrea [nationalized American]. Derartu ran the 26.2 mile course in 2 hours, 28 minutes, 52 seconds while Meb won the men’s race in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 15 seconds.

Actor Edward Norton, tweeted this finishing line picture of him and his Kenyan running mates!

Looks like the Maasai fellas did run the NYC marathon in their traditional outfit after all….*sigh*

Oprah Winfrey and Mary J. Blige at the PRECIOUS movie screening afterparty at the Chateau Marmont in L.A

Over in West Hollywood, California, my good friend Brent who attended the screening of the movie PRECIOUS, texted me this “powerful movie but depressing as hell! Oscar performance for Mo’Nique”.

The stars came out for the screening of the movie, PRECIOUS starring Mo’Nique, Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Shepherd, Amina Robinson, Nealla Gordon. Will Smith, Tyler Perry, Oprah, Mary J & hubby Kendu Isaacs hit the red carpet for the screening…

I am hearing Oscar buzz for Mo’Nique and Gabby! Yayee! Also, Mo’Nique actually attended the L.A. screening! Good for her!

Patti LaBelle at a press conference at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.

Patti performed in South Africa this past weekend!  Friday October 30th at the Grand West Casino in Cape Town and on Saturday at the fabulous holiday resort, Sun City…

Photo: Getty Images / Essence