Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige to Tour South Africa!

One of R&B/Hip Hop's most celebrated artists, Mary J. Blige, is set to perform in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in October 2007


Following last weeks postponement of Mary J Blige's South African tour, it has been announced that new dates have been confirmed for October this year. The new dates will see the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, kicking off in Johannesburg at the Coca-Cola Dome on 18 October, before heading to Durban's Westridge Park Stadium on the 19th followed by the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town on the 21st of October 2007.

The tour which was set to kick off in Johannesburg on the 12th of May was postponed in order to accommodate a routing change on her world tour.

Described by the media as having a "smouldering stage presence" during her last South African concerts in April 2000, the tour saw her performing to 48 000 ecstatic fans countrywide.

The accomplished six-time Grammy Award winning R&B, soul, and hip-hop soul singer, songwriter, producer, and actress who has sold more than 34 million records worldwide, has just completed a season sweep of the "big three" major music awards, having won the American Music Award in November 2006, the Billboard Music Awards in December 2006, and the Grammy Awards in February 2007, where she took home 3 awards for her last studio album, "The Breakthrough".

The album, her seventh studio album, has sold more than 3 million copies, starting with 727,000 in its opening week - the highest ever for a female R&B singer. The lead single, "Be Without You," ruled the R&B charts for fifteen straight weeks, and the powerhouse collaboration with U2 on their classic "One" reached an even bigger audience - proving without a doubt that Blige is the pre-eminent soul singer of our time.

Blige has long been called the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul". A bridge between the R&B world and the hip-hop nation, she pioneered the movement that would later become neo-soul, generating gripping songs that were also massive radio hits. She has the distinction of being the first to fully seize the narrative possibilities of rap: Her tough-girl persona and streetwise lyrics give her 1992 debut "What's the 411?" a realism and gritty undertone.

She then released the more conventional R&B-ballad "My Life" in 1994, and the follow up, "Share My World" took her into the R&B mainstream, entering the Billboard charts at No.1 in 1997. Her 4th album, "Mary" came out in 1999, with a fuller, more elegant sound and classic soul style. The album made it obvious that the ghetto fabulous style and more confrontational aspects of her music were gone, while the emotive power still remained. Mary then released "No More Drama" in 2001, and "Love and Life" in 2003. A greatest hits album, "Reflections (A Retrospective)" was released at the end of 2006.

Known for her electrifying live performances, Mary J. Blige is capable of conveying heartache and happiness in a single musical phrase. Her emotional honesty reflects the great traditions of blues and soul, and has won her countless honors and a devoted, ever-growing audience around the world. Critics and fans alike are floored by her powerful combination of modern R&B with an edgy rap.

Mary J. Blige Tour of South Africa
Tour Itinearary: Thursday 18 October 2007: The Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg; Friday 19 October 2007: Westridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban; Saturday 21 October 2007: The Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town
Tickets: Computicket 083 915 8000 - Johannesburg: R175 - R325; Durban: R160 - R280; Cape Town: R175 - R325

As a treat we offer Free Downloads of South African Music exclusively for our subscribers to the free monthly newsletter.

More Events in Cape Town
Events in Cape Town in October
Events in Cape Town in November
Events in Cape Town in December

Cape Town Events Calendar
 
October 2007
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective at Iziko MuseumOnce-in-a-lifetime exhibition of Esther ...

On from February to August 2024; 100+ artworks

Cannibisters 2024Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...

Now with over 90 strains of weed and The Serenity Room

Mischu eggs benedict Weekends are for mischu

Where else do you get breakfast under R100 in Sea Point?

Woodstock Brewery beer tastingLocal craft beer tasting even ...

Nine craft beers, small-batch Thursdays + a guide for beginners

Off-road adventure at Scootours BanhoekBest day ever? Monster Mountain ...

Scootours Banhoek has scooters, vine bikes and archery

Escape rooms Cape TownPossibly the best escape room in the ...

HintHunt’s Marble is being called “the king of escape rooms”

Bamboo Plant Power plant based healthy takeaways Netflix and chill & office lunch are ...

From mushroom burgers and loaded fries to “sticky wings”

Mardouw Country HouseHow to have an unforgettable 40th, 50th ...

Private chef and 3-course meals at a 5-suite manor

Amina Boutique Hotel You can now book out this entire hotel ...

Infrared sauna, pool, special art, stunning rooms

Cederkloof Botanical outdoor jacuzziWe just found our next place for a ...

Cederkloof: Cottages with jacuzzi + house with pizza oven

Woodstock Brewery burgersA brewery with food specials for every ...

Burgers, schnitzels + curry specials at Woodstock Brewery

Big Cook Little Cook Makers LandingWhat's on at the V&A Waterfront during ...

Easter egg hunts, live shows, kids market, vinyl fair + 5 more

Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective at Iziko MuseumOnce-in-a-lifetime exhibition of Esther ...

On from February to August 2024; 100+ artworks

Cannibisters 2024Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...

Now with over 90 strains of weed and The Serenity Room

Mischu eggs benedict Weekends are for mischu

Where else do you get breakfast under R100 in Sea Point?

Harringtons Cocktail Lounge District SixFridays at East City's Harrington Street

Bar hop in one building, from happy hour to live music

Off-road adventure at Scootours BanhoekBest day ever? Monster Mountain ...

Scootours Banhoek has scooters, vine bikes and archery

Escape rooms Cape TownPossibly the best escape room in the ...

HintHunt’s Marble is being called “the king of escape rooms”

Bamboo Plant Power plant based healthy takeaways Netflix and chill & office lunch are ...

From mushroom burgers and loaded fries to “sticky wings”

Amina Boutique Hotel You can now book out this entire hotel ...

Infrared sauna, pool, special art, stunning rooms

Cederkloof Botanical outdoor jacuzziWe just found our next place for a ...

Cederkloof: Cottages with jacuzzi + house with pizza oven

Woodstock Brewery burgersA brewery with food specials for every ...

Burgers, schnitzels + curry specials at Woodstock Brewery

Kloof Street Baikt Ceramics(Re)discover the iconic Kloof Street

Voted coolest street in the world, here’s why

NOVO Pizza 4A neighbourhood pizza gem for the family

Apertivos, pizzas, colouring tables and more at NOVO

Kanji RamenRamen and street food on Kloof Nek

Ramen, bao buns and flan cheesecake at Kanji Ramen

Big Cook Little Cook Makers LandingWhat's on at the V&A Waterfront during ...

Easter egg hunts, live shows, kids market, vinyl fair + 5 more

Blueberry BarBlueberry picking and tasting in the ...

Pick fresh berries and try a blueberry tasting

Coworking at Casa Labia by Ideas CartelMeeting rooms, boardrooms, from the CBD ...

Ideas Cartel: Work, play + stay hub for today's businesses

HintHunt Africa team buildingTeam-building activities you’ll ...

Surprise your team with these fun team-building activities

V&A Waterfront Easter egg huntsHow to celebrate Easter in Cape Town

Family fest, rooftop party, hot cross bun pairing and more

GiveawaysTravel Tips