MTVBASE 100TH LIVE!

THE LOWDOWN:

Since I saw the first advertisement on MTV Base, about the concert, I knew it would be hot. So like most women, I planned weeks in advance; I would wear my brown, cleavage accentuating top, blue jeans and comfortable shoes, simple! I was prepared and ready to get down.

Excited, my partner and I parked in the press area and took a shuttle bus to the Top Star Drive In. My God! The stage was huge, wonderfully set up, the best quality sound equipment and one of my favourite South African artists on stage-Mandoza… So I grooved to Godoba and enjoyed his performance, can't say much about Danny K, I made sure I missed that.

I decided to take a walk to the VIP area for drinks and what I witnessed, disturbed me. South Africa's ‘elite' dressed in chic designer outfits, free drinks in hand and pompous conversations about nothing (I must add that I felt incredibly small in my ‘carefully' planned outfit). Tell me, how do people leave the comfort of their own homes to come to a show they have no intention of actually watching, instead ba ya zipumpa? No more VIP for me, except for the free drinks and interviews.

You won't believe that I had the opportunity to have a one on one with Ludacris, yes thee Ludacris, I saw the man and froze. I was star struck!

Ludacris' performance was cool even though it seemed he hadn't put in much effort in his stage act. I guess the cameraman didn't help when he focused the camera on the ‘Hype Man' as opposed to the man we had all gone to see, silly fart! He performed all his hit tracks from No. 1 Spot to I Got Hoes, I mean Pros, in different area codes… My man Luda, he kept it pretty basic.

South Africa's own Skwatta Kamp graced the stage with the Clap Song. At that moment I was proud to be South African until Boss decided to acquaint his ass with the platform; here's a life lesson: DO NOT GET OVERLY EXCITED AND FALL IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, it's straight embarrassing my brother!

The local acts were all good but I must say ‘The Drama Queen' will always have my love. Her energy on stage is infectious, her dancing is sexy and captivating and that voice, oh…

The lengthy intervals between performances were a bit of a drag. I won't complain too much though ‘coz these breaks afforded me the opportunity to get more drinks, drunk was I, courtesy of Brand House.

Will Smith, the main attraction, performed Switch and the audience sang along, switched along and just went crazy (so did I). From the moment ‘The Champ' was there, we all went mad. Hit after hit, we danced more and more. Mr. Smith stole the show; of course this is my opinion. His performance was beautifully choreographed and one could tell that he worked hard at putting it together. Somizi and other South African dancers joined ‘The Champ' on stage and once again I felt proud of being South African. Jazzy Jeff? I love you Waxxy but here's a man you should take tips from. His turntable techniques kept the crowd in reverent wonder. Will ended the show with true super star status…Aaah Summertime!

MTV Base truly put together a show that will forever remain in my mind as the most exhilarating experience of the year. Big ups to all the sponsors, Nokia you people are the MAN, big ups to all the acts who performed and most importantly big ups to US who where there and ACTUALLY WATCHED IT!

P.s. If you couldn't get to the show, don't sweat, MTV Base recorded the whole thing, if you ain't got DSTV, go next door, if they don't have it there, ASKIES...

Article by: Ms. P

THE GALLERY:

dj jazzy jeff

will smith

lebo mathosa

your hosts: bad boy t, friend and dj fresh