Idris Elba’s Africa Day Benefit Concert To Feature Continent’s Biggest Music Artistes

BrandPower Magazine 21/05/2020Last Updated: 21/05/2020

2 minutes read

Some of Africa’s biggest music stars are lined up to perform at a 2-hour long virtual concert coming up on Monday, May 25, 2020 to celebrate Africa Day.

The concert, titled ‘Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home’ is hosted by British actor Idris Elba through a partnership with ViacomCBS Networks Africa and YouTube.

Elba, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 in April says the concert is to “raise funds for those impacted by Covid-19.”

All funds raised will go to the World Food Program and the UNICEF who are supporting coronavirus-affected communities across Africa, according to the statement from YouTube and ViacomCBS Network Africa (creators of MTV).

Africa has over 95,000 cases of the virus and 2,995 deaths resulting from it as of May 21.

The concert will feature performances from music acts like Benin’s Angelique Kidjo, Kenya’s Sauti Sol, South Africa’s Sho Madjozi, and Nigeria’s Burna Boy.

South African comedian Trevor Noah, reigning Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, and rapper Sean Paul are also part of the concert’s line up presenters, according to the organizers.

Africa Day is a celebration of the successes of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU now the AU) from its creation on May 25, 1963, in the fight against colonialism.

Different countries in Africa, as well as around the world celebrate the day annually.

Alex Okosi, YouTube’s Managing Director of Emerging Markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa says the concert wants to use African music to connect the world.

“YouTube is proud to be a platform for the amazing talent that have come to celebrate Africa Day and play a role in helping raise funds for those affected by Covid-19 on the continent,” he said in a statement.

The vice-president of ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Monde Twala, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the livelihoods of millions of people across the continent and will require a massive collaborative effort if we are to succeed.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, several initiatives have been launched to support the efforts of African governments and the World Health Organisation in the fight against the virus.

At the weekend, 82 African artists, comedians and sports stars took part in the Africa at Home online concert organised by Canal+ and Universal Music Africa.

Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home will take place on the same day as the #IAmWAN virtual event, which will also feature Angélique Kidjo as well as Fatoumata Diawara, Salif Keita, Oumou Sangaré, Dobet Gnahore, Youssou N’dour and Baaba Maal, among many others.

The concert will stream on the MTV Base Africa YouTube channel on Monday and air on the channel the same day.

Yetunde Adegoke