THE coming of Rhythm and Blues (RnB) international musician John Roger Stephens popularly known by his stage name John legend is, arguably, a ‘first’ in the sense that a currently-doing-well artiste topping charts will be performing in the country.
The award-winning crooner will jet into the country for a show slated for November 19 2014.
It will be part of his ‘All of me’ tour.
Initially, South Africa was the only country the superb performer was going to perform in during the tour.
In the last decade or so the country has not been able to attract many A-List performers as a result of sanctions imposed on the country by the West.
While promoters have been able to bring top-notch performers from countries such as Jamaica, they have failed to bring those from the West especially from the United States and United Kingdom.
While one or two have managed to come, it is after they have been ‘warned’ not to visit the country as doing so was said to promote the ‘violation of human rights’ in the country.
But relations between the country and the West have somewhat thawed.
The West is now eager to re-engage with Zimbabwe and many overtures have been made to that effect.
Although Zimbabwe was not on the schedule for the ‘All of me’ tour, Davies Events, who brought yesteryear superstar Bryan Adams, will be bringing John Legend into the country.
The coming of the international star speaks volumes and is confirmation that Zimbabwe is a safe country that is ready to do business with anyone contrary to reports it is not wise to visit the country.
Zimbabwe is fast becoming a destination for international artistes who are guaranteed of rich pickings as locals do not hesitate to spend on a good time.
Through his twitter account and facebook page, the musician confirmed coming to Zimbabwe.
Cheaper tickets for the show have already been sold out.
“Zimbabwe! I am excited to announce that I will be playing a show in Harare on Nov 19. Presale tickets available this Sunday. Can’t wait!” said Legend through his twitter account last week.
In the past, we have hosted international stars, but some of them come when they are already past their sell-by date.
Artistes such as Joe Thomas, Brick and Lace, Sean Kingston, among others, are some that have performed in the country in recent years.
The duo of Brick and Lace disappointed fans with their CD-backed performance while Sean Kingston did not do any better; his show was a monumental flop.
The John Legend show is highly anticipated and with the high prices for the show, a stellar performance is expected.
Local fans have already made posts Legend’s facebook page expressing their high expectations for the show.
Nyasha Mavhunga wrote: “Waal I cannot wait to sing along with you live because you rock my world John.”
“I am ecstatic, I cannot wait for you to rock my homeland John .I will be there,” said Vimbai Liyacha Sakala.
According to Wikipedia, Legend was born John Roger Stephens on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio.
He has nine Grammy Awards to his name and is one of four children of Phyllis, a seamstress, and Ronald Stephens, a factory worker and former National Guardsman.
His music career started at age four when he performed with his church choir.
He began playing the piano at the age seven and while in college, Legend served as president and musical director of a co-ed jazz and pop a cappella group called Counterparts.
His lead vocals on the group’s recording of Joan Osborne’s ‘One of Us’ received critical acclaim landing the song on the track list of the 1998 Best of Collegiate a Cappella compilation CD.
While in college, Legend was also introduced to Lauryn Hill by a friend.
Hill hired him to play piano on ‘Everything Is Everything’, a song from her album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
During this period, he began to hold a number of shows around Philadelphia, eventually expanding his audience base to New York, Boston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.
He finished college in 1999, and thereafter began producing, writing, and recording his own music.
He released two albums independently; his self-titled demo (2000) and Live at Jimmy’s Uptown (2001), which he sold at his shows.
His other albums include Wake Up (2001), Get Lifted (2004), Once Again (2006), Evolver (2008) and Love in the Future (2013).