Snoop Dogg will
help Nigeria celebrate its independence by participating in the first annual This
Day Music Festival.Taking
place on Oct. 7 and 8 in Lagos, Nigeria, the two-day event will commemorate the
46th Anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence from Britain.The
festival will be marked with a series of activities and concerts aimed at promoting
the revitalization of Nigeria’s cultural centers.Snoop,
real name Calvin Broadus, will join a star–studded casts which comprises
of Beyonce, Jay- Z, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Ciara and En Vogue.Other
acts on the bill include top Nigerian acts King Sunny Ade, Tu Face, DBanj, Dare
Art Alade, Weird MC, Asha and Seun Anikulapo-Kuti."This
is the biggest event to be hosted in Africa and easily the number one music event
anywhere in the world this year," organizer Ola Joshua told Nigeria’s This
Day
newspaper. "With Nigeria’s return to good international standing,a reform-based and growing economy, things are certainly looking better in Nigeria
and we believe it’s time to showcase Nigeria to the world especially as we mark
our 46th year of Independence.”As
an added bonus, Fan Zones are being created in Lagos and across Nigeria so that
families who cannot afford tickets can watch the event live on big screens, at
a very low cost.Snoop,
who has lent his time to various philanthropic ventures, recently headlined South
Africa’s first-ever People’s Celebration and performed concerts in Cape
Town and Johannesburg.The
Doggfather is currently preparing his eighth LP The Blue Carpet Treatment,
which arrives in stores Nov. 21.The
album features production from Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Rick Rock, Pharrell and features
guest appearances by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, The Game, Brandy,
R. Kelly and MC Eiht. Ironically,
Snoop Dogg was banned from the United Kingdom in May, after the rapper and his
entourage were involved in a brawl with airport security in London’s Heathrow
airport the previous month.