Some of Africa’s biggest music stars have been included on the lineup for the ‘Africa Day Benefit Concert’ to be hosted by British actor, Idris Elba.
Elba is hosting the ‘Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home’ through a partnership with music channel; MTV Base Africa and YouTube. Idris Elba, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 in April says the concert is to “raise funds for those impacted by Covid-19.”
As countries around the world continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, earnings from showbiz have plummeted. It has prompted artistes to explore alternatives to in-person concerts and shows.
The two-hour special will be streamed on the MTV Base Africa YouTube channel on May 25 at 18:00 CAT. It will broadcast on the network’s TV channels in Africa at 21:00 CAT.
The show will bring together a powerful lineup of performances from some of the most talented artists in Africa. With the addition of Nigeria Afrobeats superstars Davido, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold and Burna Boy.
Among the African singers who are also on the concert’s lineup are Bebe Cool, Busiswa, C4 Pedro, Reekado Banks, Manifest, Niniola, Salif Keita, DJ Maphorisa and KABZA De Small.
Others are Toofan, Angelique Kidjo, AKA, Diamond Platnumz, Fally Ipupa, Nasty C, Sho Madjozi, StoneBwoy, Teni and Yemi Alade.
It will also feature messages from renowned personalities like Trevor Noah, Zozibini Tunzi, Omari Hardwick, Ludacris, Sean Paul, Anthony Hamilton, Nomzamo Mbatha, Fat Joe, and Winston Duke.
On the goal of the concert, Lola Castro, the World Food Programme (WFP) director for Southern Africa, said: “We are concerned about the prospect of COVID-19 causing a hunger catastrophe.”
It was said that the United Nation’s WFP initiative would work with UNICEF while “all funds raised from the concert will be donated to their work to support COVID-affected communities in Africa.”