Eddy Grant to perform in SA for the first time

[Reggae Strong]

Legendary electro-pop-reggae artist Eddy Grant will embark on his first ever nationwide tour of South Africa this February, with performances in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Sun City.


With musical influences ranging from Caribbean Calypso, African rhythms, rock and roll, reggae and soul, fans will be able to enjoy Grant's unique repertoire of hits that include such songs as "Baby Come Back", "Electric Avenue", "I Don't Wanna Dance" and the ever popular "Gimme Hope Jo'anna".

Written in 1988, "Gimme Hope Joanna" was among Grant's songs that contained strong political commentary. The song became a well known anti-apartheid anthem in South Africa despite being banned on state airwaves by the apartheid government.

"It had a major impact not only on South Africa but on the world," says Grant. "It brought South Africa to many people. It opened people's eyes and it resounded across the globe. I am very glad about that."

Grant wrote the song after watching a television programme about apartheid. Comparing his impressions of the country then and the country today, Grant says "South Africa has changed. But it hasn't changed as much as it will change and that's part of the problem. Everybody wants things to happen immediately "

Throughout his tour Grant will be accompanied by the band of South African reggae legend Lucky Dube. The band first joined Grant on stage during the 2008 Hyde Park, London, concert in honour of Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday. The occasion marked Grant's first major live appearance in the UK in two decades.

Grant says he once met Dube during a promotional visit to South Africa in 2000, never suspecting that he would play with Dube's band years later. "The band is lovely, they are beautiful. Lucky Dube was murdered and today they play with me. It is one of the vagaries of life. But I believe that it was meant to be."

Apart from showcasing his greatest hits, Grant will also be introducing South African audiences to a new style of music he calls Ringbang. This distinctly Caribbean genre has been developed by Grant. "What Ringbang seeks to do is envelop all the rhythms that have originated from Africa so that they become one, defying all geographical boundaries," he explains.


Catch Eddy Grant live in South Africa on the following dates:


Sunday February 22nd 2009: Suncoast Casino, Durban
Tuesday February 24th 2009: Vodacom NMMU Indoor Sports Arena, Port Elizabeth
Thursday February 26th 2009: Grandwest Casino, Cape Town
Saturday February 28th 2009: Sun City