MTV Base, YouTube, and Idris Elba announce the return of the AFRICA DAY CONCERT 2021, which will be hosted by Golden Globe and SAG winner, Idris Elba this Africa Day, 25 May featuring trailblazing Kenyan and other African artistes.
This follows the inaugural Africa Day Benefit Concert At Home in 2020 that brought African and global superstars together to celebrate Africa Day and raise funds to support families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s concert will shine the light on Africa’s next wave of talent that are making their mark on the global stage.
The virtual concert will be a Pan African event featuring trailblazing African stars from across the continent. Artists will perform on multiple stages from Nairobi, Lagos to Johannesburg in an event to be streamed live to a global audience on YouTube and broadcast on the MTV channels. Africa is in the midst of a creative and cultural renaissance that has been accelerated by artists who are claiming a unique space in the world.
“I’m committed to shining a light on African culture, heritage and the arts. During a year when globally we have all had to reflect deeply on our purpose, I’ve taken inspiration from the continent with its diversity of voices, creativity and innovation. Here’s to Africa’s Next Global Wave,” said Africa Day Concert 2021 Host, Idris Elba.
The concert will shine a light on the leaps in innovation being made by Africans, those who are redefining the narrative of a continent and the exchange of music, creativity and cultural ideas that are taking the world by storm. The event will feature some of the most dynamic emerging artists from the diaspora who will be unveiled in the weeks leading up to Africa Day.
“We are excited to work with Idris Elba and MTV Base to celebrate Africa Day this year through another powerful concert event. With African music continuing to connect and inspire people around the world, the timing is perfect to shine the spotlight on the next wave of African artists that will make a global impact on music and culture,” said Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Emerging Markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at YouTube.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa said: “We are incredibly inspired by the innovation and cultural advances that we have seen from African artists and Africans as a whole since our first inaugural concert. The past year has been an unprecedented one for all of us and it is a tremendous inspiration so see how Africans who are lighting the way through creativity, collaboration and innovation. The power of music, culture and the arts unifies and brings hope to people and we are proud to partner with YouTube for the Africa Day Concert 2021 as we celebrate the next global talent.”
The concert will be hosted virtually in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with all safety and social distancing measures observed. Viewers from around the global can expect to see a spectacular display of African excellence as the sounds, sights and rhythm of the continent unite Africans once more this Africa Day.
