Liberia: Music Lovers Ready For 'Akon' Visit

Liberia: Music Lovers Ready For 'Akon' Visit

allAfrica.com

15 April 2008
Posted to the web 15 April 2008

Boakai Fofana
Monrovia

The songs of the American superstar, "Akon" have been playing on virtually all Monrovia's radio stations in readiness for his big performance in the city today.

Since the news of the coming of the Senegalese-born musician, Alioune Thiam, hit the city in March, it has generated much excitement, mainly among youngsters who regard him as one of the biggest names in the music industry today.

The show, organized by one of Liberia's cell phone companies, is taking place at the country's biggest sport stadium, the SKD Sport Complex.

In a brief interview – less than five minutes – on a local radio station, the singer told his fans: "I am going to be at the SKD with the Convict Music Team, so you better go to the concert if you want to see your favorite songs performed live." The interview was relayed by half a dozen other stations across the country.

Speaking on the line from South Africa, the celebritysaid he couldn't wait to come to Liberia to his fans, including personal acquaintances and the "Senegalese community".

Ahead of his arrival, the city's main street corners were covered with giant-sized posters of the singer. The phone company sponsoring the visit, Cellcom, is hoping to increase its customer base by giving out SIM cards and scratch cards with concert tickets.

This has boosted the already-tough competition in the country's cell phone industry.

Lone Star Communication Corporation, regarded by many as the country's biggest company, is sponsoring a rival show featuring Liberian artists on the same day to highlight the campaign against the proliferation of small arms.

Tickets for the Akon show range from U.S. $20 to $100, while Lonestar's concert is free.

One human rights lawyer, Dan Sayeh, recently criticized the high prices charged by the organizers of the Akon Show, claiming it was exploitative in a country where many are poor and unemployed.

But amid the politicking and business competition, many Liberians have been preparing for a festive Tuesday.