Hitmaking artist and songwriter R. Kelly will make his first tour of the African continent this month, courtesy of his participation in the ARISE African Fashion Awards.
The awards show and gala will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 20.
The inaugural R. Kelly concert will also serve as a close out to Africa Fashion Week, and kickoff a multi-city tour that spans South Africa, Nigeria, and London.
The Chicago singer revealed that this tour is his first trip to the Motherland, and he expects the experience to resonate both on personal and professional levels.
“I’m very excited about my first visit to Africa, I’ve dreamed about this for a long time and it’s finally here,” Kelly told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “It will be one of the highlights of not only my career but my life. I can’t wait to perform in front of my fans in Africa – who have been some of the best in the world.”
Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, founder of Africa Fashion Week and the African Fashion Awards, explained that the entire African continent is ready to be recognized for their fashion talents on an international stage.
“Our goal is to promote and recognize the best of African fashion talent on a global scale and the ARISE Africa Fashion Awards is a further step towards fulfillment of this goal,” she stated.
The ARISE Africa Fashion Awards commences from 6Pm-10PM on June 20 at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Center.
The keynote address will be delivered by renowned humanitarian and former First Lady of France Cecilia Attias.
Listed below are R. Kelly’s confirmed Africa tour dates:
Saturday, June 27th at the Superbowl in Sun City Monday, June 29th at the Grand West Casino in Cape Town Friday, July 3rd at the THISDAY Dome in Abuja, Nigeria Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th in Lagos, Nigeria Wednesday, July 8th at Wembley Arena in London, UK