Posted to the web 15 April 2008

 

The Senegalese-born musical star, AKON has arrived in the country. Akon arrived in the country this morning at the head of an array of over a dozen musical artists who have come to storm the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium to make the Cellcom sponsored-show grandiose.

 

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, Aliaune 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.

 

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 celebrity said 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.

 

The megastar whose real name is Alieue Phieme touched down on Liberian soil via the Roberts International Airport (RIA) at about 9:00pm on Monday.

 

Reports say Akon is leading a 15-man delegation including the management, security, and performers. He arrived on board a SLOK Air airline from Accra, Ghana. Miss Boss Lady International, organizer of the show says all is well for the hosting of the show which is expected to be set Monrovia on its heels.

 

This is the first classically international musical showbiz to be staged, and this is the doing of Cellcom, a contemporary GSM Company that seeks the interest and welfare of its customers. Cellcom took the pains (financial and material resources) to welcome its new era of technological communication.

 

Organizers were at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Sunday, the venue of the show, to inspect progress made on the stage and other things. During the inspection, reporters had the chance of talking with Madam Barkue Tubman, head of Miss Boss Lady Entertainment.

 

She said all is on course as far as the show is concerned.” Through auspices of the management of CELLCOM, the organizers have all the VIP tickets, and the around the field tickets are about to finish”.

She noted that United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Bureau of Immigration, the Liberian National Police and other security agencies in the country are set to provide protection from the guests and the entire show.

 

Top management of CELLCOM, Information Minister, Rev. Dr. Laurence Bropleh, Immigration Commissioner, Col. Chris Massaquoi, the Fourth Estate, and Miss Boss Lady Entertainment will be at hand to receive the megastar and his delegation.”