AFTER what could be considered pulsating concerts in Nairobi, Kenya and Durban in South Africa, music channel, MTV Base, stormed Lagos recently for the Nigeria edition of the MTV Africa All Stars Tour.

The event, which held at The Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, would remain an unforgettable experience, as there were performances from some of Nigeria’s biggest talents including 2Face Idibia, Ice Prince Zamani and Davido, alongside the South African Kwaito star, Professor, who won new fans with his virtuoso display of Durban Kwaito!

While Ice Prince and Davido got guests on their feet with energetic performances of their current hits, 2Face started on a whole different level with a medley of award-winning hits from the early days of his career with Plantashun Boiz, as well as monster hits from his best selling albums.

Appearing as the last performer for the night, 2Face took guests down memory lane with heart lifting performance with live band set, churning out some of his popular 90s hit song including, Baby Don’t You Know from his Plantashun Boiz days and his solo hits like True Love and As You See Me So, some of his solo hits.

Idibia, along side label mates, Dammy Krane and Rocksteady, got guests grooving and singing along to Implication, I Just Wanna Be There, One Love and No Dulling, and wrapped up the show with his recent chart topper, Ihe Neme.

Speaking earlier at a pre-concert press briefing, the Senior Vice President MTV Base and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, Mr. Alex Okosi, said the platform is meant to create opportunities for African talents to shine, celebrates African music and talents while also celebrating Durban.

“The MTV Africa All Stars Tour is our way of bringing together a range of diverse platforms through which music fans can connect with and experience the extraordinary talent, variety and craftsmanship of the continent’s most exciting contemporary musicians.”

Okosi said the platform provides opportunity for all with no gender discrimination. He, however, noted that viewers could still vote online to pick artistes of their choice to feature at the grand finale.

On the partnership with KwaZulu-Natal Province, he said, “we are thrilled to partner with KwaZulu-Natal Province in the creation of MTV Africa All Stars, an initiative that will further establish KwaZulu-Natal as a world class destination for culture, music and business through engaging live events, television specials and digital activations. MTV Africa All Stars offers a range of diverse platforms through which music fans can connect with and experience the extraordinary talent, variety and craftsmanship of the continent’s most exciting contemporary musicians.”

For the Strategic Project Manager, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, KwaZulu Natal Province, Mr. Zozo Jucy, “the province is happy collaborating with MTV in putting up the concert, as it will help promote the province as a destination of choice.

Hosted by MTV Base VJ Ehis and Beat FM OAP, Maria; the show had guests partied into the night to a mix of hit tracks from top Nigerian DJs Jimmy Jatt and DJ Caise.

Guests at the concert include Tosyn Bucknor, Mannie, Aje Butter, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Karen Igho, Lynxxx, Denrele, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Mo’ Eazy, Zaina, Dolapo Bamgboye and Michael Ugwu.  Others notable faces included Fabian Lojede, Yvonne Vixen Ekwere, DJ Xclusive, Ketchup, Gideon Okeke, Gbenro Ajibade, Beverly Naya, Nedu and Steel, among many others.

The grand finale (All Stars Concert), which is billed for the Moses Mabhida Stadium, People’s Park, Durban, South Africa on May 18 will be headlined by US entertainment icon and multi-platinum hip hop star turned reggae artiste, Snoop Lion (Snoop Dogg) and will feature an all-star line-up composed of the most popular contemporary artists from across the African continent to be selected by viewers, and will be broadcasted on MTV Base and partner TV stations in Africa.