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event matching international standards with Kingston’s very unique triple treat of talent – rapping, reggae chatting and soulful harmonisation.
The hype surrounding the concerts is growing with each day and the razzmatazz on stage is likely to be a must see.
Those planning to attend the show should expect one “hell of a party” with blinding lighting and magnificent stage work all proudly Zimbabwean.
Sean Kingston is scheduled to perform two concerts in Harare, one on April 22 at the Celebration Centre and another at Glamis Stadium on Easter Saturday.
The show should set the tone and mood for the Harare International Festival of the Arts, which is yet another high-octane event.
However, figures of how much the two shows would cost could not be revealed due to contractual agreements with sponsors, it is estimated that the shows would gobble up several thousands of dollars.
Already, thousands of dollars have been used to advertise on billboards in greater Harare as well as 250 top-of-the range cars for promotion.
Over and above this, the countdown to the show has begun in earnest with the organisers, C&A Entertainment, taking advantage of technology to publicise the concerts on YouTube.
According to wikipedia, Kingston was born on February 3, 1990 in Miami, Florida and moved to Kingston, Jamaica when he was six.
“He attended high school in Ocho Rios. His grandfather was the noted Jamaican reggae producer Lawrence Lindo, who worked under the stage name Jack Ruby.
“At age 11, Kingston spent 21 days in jail for house breaking, and he lived in a car while his mother was incarcerated for identity theft.
“Kingston was discovered through MySpace by Tommy Rotem at Beluga Heights, and signed to the label in a partnership deal with Sony.
“Beluga is a label notable for its focus on discovering and developing artists. In an interview with HitQuarters label head and producer J R Rotem described this process with regards to Kingston:
“Sean Kingston was a rapper when we found him and it was a development process to get him more melodic. At Beluga we essentially refine talent so that it’s more of a marketable product.”
Kingston’s music appeals to all age groups.
Some of his hits include “Beautiful Girls” released in May 2007. The single, based on the bass line and lyrical “association” of the 1961 hit “Stand by Me” by Ben E King, reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song “Me Love” samples the main hook out Led Zeppelin’s “D’yer Mak’er”, from their 1973 album “Houses of the Holy”.
The album “Tomorrow” was released on September 22, 2009. Big-name producers involved in the album included former Fugee Wyclef Jean; RedOne (of recent Lady GaGa fame); plus Sean’s original mentor, J R Rotem.
The singles “Fire Burning”, and “Face Drop” have been popular including in Zimbabwe.
Clint Robinson who owns C&A Entertainment is himself a big fan of Kingston.
“Sean Kingston is looking forward to performing in Zimbabwe and I’m looking forward to hosting him,” he said.
Robinson is a former Prince Edward senior prefect, former Zimbabwe national rugby player and provincial basketball player.
“We’ve been doing functions outside Zimbabwe because at the time it didn’t make business sense to do shows here. But now that we’re in a stable environment everything is possible,” Robinson said.
As the show promoter, he said one of the challenges of doing concerts in Zimbabwe was how to change the perception of music fans.
“Basically, the perception is people do not buy advance tickets until the last day in fact when they see the artistes.
“However, the world over people buy tickets way before the show and this is why we have 12 tickets outlets so far.
“As we get closer to the dates we are planning on putting more tickets outlets in the high density suburbs,” he said.
For the Celebration Centre concert which takes up to 3 000 people, only parents accompanying their children will be allowed in because it is meant for those under the age of 18.
However, those over 18 will have to attend the Glamis Stadium show where there is going to be 10 gates for advance tickets and only two for cash sales.
“This is meant to improve security at the venues as you are aware security is always a major concern.
“But fans should also know that once the venue has reached its capacity late comers will not be allowed in,” Robinson said.
He, however, admitted that at the moment they were getting moderate tickets sales.