Just like the previous editions of the show, the Star Mega Jam that held penultimate Friday and following Saturday in Lagos and Abuja respectively, had lived up to the billing of a mega concert.
Numerous fans of international superstars, Nelly and Nas that thronged the Polo Club in Lagos and Old Parade Ground in Abuja had a swell time as both artistes including local acts like Timaya, Face, Olu Maintain, Diamonds, PSquare, 9ice and others gave a good account of themselves.
Nelly and Nas had earlier assured their fans in Nigeria that this year’s Star Mega Jam may well be the best put forward by Star, the sponsoring brand since the concert was launched in 2000. And indeed, it was, going by the crowd that turned up in Lagos. Abuja too was not left out in the crowd contest. As late as 2a.m, music fans were still obtaining tickets and trooping into the Old Parade Ground.
Diamonds, winners of 2007 Star Quest talent hunt, had opened the show in Abuja, singing their hearts out to the admiration of the audience. They were followed by Mr Yahooze, Olu Maintain and then the duo of KC Presh whose songs like Shokori Bobo, Sengemenge, Shake it, Hold it sent the audience to the dancing floor. Faze had the crowd literally eating from his palms. He sang his popular songs like Originality, Tattoo Girls, Yawa Eh and Play Ball among others, and by the time he quit the stage for Nas, the fans were yelling for more.
Nas was particularly thrilled that he was face to face with a very large crowd of his fans in Nigeria. This was the second time he would be in the country but the first time he would be performing to such a huge audience. He had boasted thus: “Nothing do me, I will be in Nigeria.” The artiste who has sold tens of millions of albums worldwide and endeared himself to fans across the globe sang tracks from his old and recent albums including IIImatic, It Was Written, I Am, Nastradamus, Stillmatic, Hip Hop Is Dead and Street Disciples among others.
But then Nelly picked the tempo up from where Nas stopped and set the whole place on fire. The highpoint of his performance was when he invited on stage two girls from the audience and dared them to sing for him. It was like asking for too much as one of the girls blew Nelly’s heart out with 2Face’s popular tune, Africa Queen. But being one that would not allow a good contest pass him by, Nelly rose to the occasion, toasting the girl with a popular ballad.
After Nelly came PSquare who turned the roof upside down with You Are The Finest, Do Me and Ifunnaya. Performing on the same stage with superstars like Nelly and Nas, the twins showed the stuff they were made of. In fact, both Peter and Paul showed that winning virtually all the music awards this year is not for nothing.
However, Balyesa born Timaya drew the curtain on the show with a good performance. But kudos to top comedian Gbenga Adeyinka for cracking the ribs of the audience with good, hilarious jokes.
The Star Mega Jam has so far featured top international artistes like Awilo Longomba, Shaggy “Bombastic”, Usher Raymond, Kofi Olomide, 50 Cents, Jah Rule, Kelvin Little, Akon, L.L Cool J, Kanye West and T-Pain.
