Get ready to rap
Superstars in the genre of rap, 50 Cent and Akon are in Nicosia this week to headline the Medfest music festival
“I’ll take you to the candy shop,” sings the world famous rapper in his award winning song, ‘Candy Shop’ that has young crowds across the world moving to his rhythms.
Now is the time for all his fans in Cyprus to sing and dance with joy as 50 Cent takes everyone to the GSP stadium in Nicosia for a concert that no one would ever have imagined our island would be hosting.
Certainly no one really believed it when news first came out that the multi platinum-selling superstar would be arriving to perform in Nicosia. And let’s be honest, we had good reason to disbelieve the word around town. After all, when have fans of all the biggest contemporary chart hits ever had the chance to enjoy their favourite music idols in a local concert? So when news of the 50 Cent event first broke at the start of May, it was natural that most people were asking “Is it really possible?”
Now, a few months down the line, it seems safe to say yes, it really is possible! And as if 50 Cent wasn’t enough to excite fans of the genre, organisers soon confirmed that none other than Akon and Julian Marley (son of the legendary Bob) would be joining the gang at the stadium on July 28 as part of the special Medfest event. Also appearing with the superstars will be Mutya (formerly of the Sugababes), Alaine and Sniper featuring Memphis Bleak.
When posters started going up across the island in mid May with the buffed up 50 Cent and Akon beckoning attention, many began to put doubts aside. Tickets then soon went on sale and thousands across the island started anticipating the day that they would actually get to see their idols in real life.
And for those of you who may still doubt the fantastic line up, organisers confirm that the list of performers is final and there will be no changes to any of the big names on the list. A quick click onto 50 Cent’s website and anyone who is still a disbeliever will see that the concert at the GSP is part of his tour list, right up there with his other big gigs. Just days before, he will be performing at the New York Hard Rock Caf? in a concert to be shown live on MTV.
On the night here in Cyprus, 50 Cent will perform an exclusive set showcasing tracks from his forthcoming album Curtis, as well as previous smash hits including ‘Candy Shop’, ‘Just a Little Bit’ and ‘In da Club’. Not only will fans get to hear their idol sing all the hits they have spent hours on end dancing to in clubs, they will also get to hear tracks that have yet to be released. It goes without saying that Curtis is predicted to hit the top of UK and American charts.
Truth be told, anything that 50 Cent seems to release turns to gold. He started off with the Get Rich or Die Hard Trying CD and big names in the industry immediately ranked him as the next big thing. He then became top of his game with The Massacre, with tracks like ‘Candy Shop’ and ‘Outta Control’ selling about seven million copies. Many say that it’s his tough childhood that made him so determined to get to the top. Having lost his mum when he was eight years old, his grandparents took over the parenting role but didn’t seem to get it quite right as they were the first to give him drugs and taught him to sell it on the streets.
After leaving drug dealing behind in favour of pursuing a career as a rap artist, 50 Cent was shot several times in 2000. In many interviews he confesses that whatever doesn’t kill you certainly makes you stronger, and he definitely managed to make the best of what he could when it came to his talents.
With Akon standing as the next big star of the upcoming show, he is set to perform hits from his current album Konvicted, having sold over three million copies to date since its December release. Julian Marley is to perform a live set specially prepared for Medfest, showcasing the style and fresh direction that his forthcoming album has taken. You can expect an eclectic mix of jazzy, funky beats blended with a dub/reggae vibe that portray a strong message through his lyrics.
While Alaine is less well known on the international scene, her music is a great mixture of traditional Jamaican dancehall/reggae rhythms combined with writing and vocal arrangements that showcase her R&B and hip hop influences. Sniper is a homegrown talent who was born and brought up in Cyprus. His track featuring Memphis Bleak has been featured on Radio One’s hip-hop chart in the UK and is currently championed by radio and DJ legend Tim Westwood.
Apart from all the music, you can expect a stunning lighting show with LED screens and state of the art pyrotechnic displays, all toped off with a grand firework display. Organisers have also just confirmed that Alesha Dixon, formerly of girl band Mystique, will be hosting the show.
If you’re excited about the event you’ll no doubt want to get down there as early as possible where you can look forward to fun fair rides and a live radio broadcast between 5pm and 7pm before the concert commences, with freestyle and hip hop dancers performing.
Summer Medfest 2007
With 50 Cent and Akon performing as headline acts accompanied by Julian Marley, Alaine, Mutya and Sniper featuring Memphis Bleak. July 28. GSP Stadium, Nicosia.
Event opens at 5pm, concert starts 7pm. From £30-£50. www.medfest2007.com.
Tickets from Play stores across the island, or call the Medfest information hotline on 99-711869
