Snoop's the Boss

2006-04-30 21:59

Janine Jellars

Durban - "They didn't want me to come, but they can't stop me from seeing my people.

"They tried to stop me, but they can't stop me," said Snoop Dogg at Saturday's Durban leg of the Premier Foods People's Celebration Concert, referring to his recent arrest in London.

Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus, 34, didn't attend last Thursday's Johannesburg concert because he had been detained at London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday after a scuffle between the police and his 30-strong entourage.

Despite intervention from the South African government, Snoop was unable to perform in Johannesburg and local fans had to wait for Saturday's performance to see Snoop in the flesh.

The gangsta rap veteran certainly didn't disappoint his KwaZulu-Natal fans, even promising to record a song about Durban's legendary illegal substance, Durban Poison.

Tribute to Tupac Shakur

Snoop performed many popular hits from his rap career, spanning the last 16 years, including What's My Name, Gin & Juice, and the recent hits Beautiful and Drop It Like It's Hot.

He performed a tribute to late rapper Tupac Shakur who was killed in a drive-by-shooting, 10 years ago.

Snoop headlined the concert alongside Mario, Pharrell Williams and Sean Paul at Absa Stadium, where thousands of fans packed the venue in support of the largest hip hop show of its kind held in this country.

Jamaican king of dancehall reggae, Sean Paul's set included hits from his album, Dutty Rock and his new album, Trinity.

He managed to deliver a high-energy performance despite having to dance around with a cane because of a knee injury from his recent American tour.

Producer, rapper and singer Pharrel Williams had the crowd eating out of his hand, especially when he called a few audience members to join him on stage.

Williams, known for churning out hits for well-known artists such as Jay Z and Britney Spears, showed himself to be a capable performer in his own right.

He did hits such as You Got It Like That, Hey Mister and songs from his group, NERD.

Had thegirls swooning

Teen singing sensation Mario proved he had the makings of a true R'n B superstar, with his crystal-clear voice and smooth dance moves.

All the girls in the stadium swooned when he sang his hit song, You Should Let Me Love You, and other favourites Braid My Hair and Train Two.

Local acts, Zola, Jamali, Loyiso and AK Massive provided entertainment in the early evening.

Zola, who is part of the Oscar-winning Tsotsi cast, really got the crowd going before the international acts with his socially aware brand of kwaito and his 10-man dance troupe.

- The Witness