Kelly, Cassette, Asa warm up for the Africa music awards

7 Nov 2008

Charismatic R&B star Kelly Rowland will be in Abuja, Nigeria, on 22 November 2008 to perform at the first-ever MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain. Joining Rowland on stage at The Velodrome, Abuja, for this celebration of African music and artists will be South African rockers, Cassette, and Nigerian soul diva, Asa.

Kelly Rowland, ready to thrill you

As one third of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female musical groups of all time, Kelly Rowland has enthralled millions of fans with her astonishing vocal range. She's had number 1 hits, multi-platinum albums, industry accolades, and she's won Grammys and other awards, and continues to enjoy major success with her albums, Simply Deep and Ms Kelly Deluxe (2008) and hit single releases such as international smash Work and current chart burner, Daylight featuring Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes. Despite a hectic schedule, she still finds time to act as special ambassador for MTV's charitable Staying Alive Foundation, visiting grassroots AIDS projects worldwide and promoting AIDS prevention and awareness.

Dynamic South Africa rock outfit Cassette combines catchy pop-rock with outrageous live gigs and dance-floor-packing energy that justify their nomination in the MAMA Best Live Performance category. The 5-piece band consists of Jon Savage (vocalist), Jane Breetzke (keyboards and backing vocals); Andrew Wessels (drums), Marc Bentel (guitar) and Nathan Waywell (bass). The group's debut album Welcome Back to Earth won them Best Rock Album at the 2007 South African Music Awards (SAMAs).

Asa is a contender in both the Best Female and Artist of the Year, rounding out an incredible year of international success for the Paris-based artist. She has toured Europe, gigged in Tokyo and seen massive airplay for her reggae-inspired hit single, Fire on the Mountain.

The awards will be televised on MTV networks worldwide from 29 November 2008.

The winners of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will be unveiled at The Velodrome, Abuja, on Saturday, 22 November 2008 and broadcast on MTV base (DStv Channel 322, GTV Channel 40), partner networks and terrestrial channels RTGA (Democratic Republic of the Congo), TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Kenya), AIT (Nigeria), STV (Nigeria), TBC (Tanzania) and WBS (Uganda), from 29 November 2008.

To vote for your favourite artist or video and further information, go to http://www.mtvbase.com/site.php#. Voting closes on Tuesday 18 November 2008.