International boy band Dru Hill and legendary South African group Bongo Maffin will share the stage again after 20 years.
The last time Bongo Maffin and Dru Hill performed on the same stage was 20 years ago in 1998. This was at the late former president and anti-apartheid struggle icon Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday celebration.
At the same event international stars including Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder and Kenny Lattimore performed. The show was at the Johannesburg stadium and in Durban.
September dates
Dru Hill will grace the South African shores again in September. This time it will be at the Sunbet Arena in Pretoria and in Cape Town.
Speaking to Sunday World on Thursday, event organiser Thabiso “Skeelo” Mogashwa said bringing Dru Hill to the country was long overdue.
He added that this was made possible by Bongo Maffin’s Harold “Speedy” Matlhaku. Speedy is a long-term friend of Dru Hill member Sisqo and the boy band.
“We have been planning it for a long time. So we had a conversation with Harold regarding the possibility of bringing Dru Hill. Because he obviously has a relationship with the guys. He facilitated everything for us. From there we managed to get contacts for their management directly. We closed the deal,” he said.
Ramoakatse Holdings is responsible for bringing the band to the country. It is the same company that brought Bebe Winans, Freddy Jackson and Glen Jones.
Focused on the RnB market
Dru Hill will perform two shows in the country. They will be supported by Bongo Maffin, Zonke and various Metro FM deejays.
Mogashwa said the company is focusing largely on the soul and RnB market because there is a gap.
“We have decided to now focus on the 90s RnB. So that is the reason we brought Dru Hill. We grew up listening to them,” he said.
Mogashwa added that the band is in demand, and that 50% of the tickets for the Pretoria leg was sold out. This prompted then to add another Cape Town date.
“Cape Townians have been complaining that they also needed tickets,” he said.
Excitement is building up abroad as well. This as Dru Hill has been encouraging their fans to get tickets and prepare for a good show.
