adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
October 31 is the date multi-award-winning hip hop artiste, Cassper Nyovest, has set to live his dream of hosting a sold-out concert as the headline act in his home country, South Africa. The concert, a first of its kind, dubbed ‘Fill up the Dome’, will be held at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg. It is being hosted by the rapper to create a culture where people support their own talent, just like they support international music.
‘Fill up the Dome’ was initially meant to be a solo show but it seems the artiste will be roping in fellow South African artistes such as Black Coffee and Mi Casa to back him.
Nyovest revealed to Sowetan LIVE that he had no intentions of filling up The Dome, a prime concert venue which accommodates about 20,000 people, by himself.
“There’ll be a lot of supporting acts as the actual concept of Fill up the Dome is just to show people that we’ve South African stars that we can appreciate as much as we appreciate the western culture and the American rappers,” Nyovest told Sowetan LIVE.
“There’s no way I’m trying to be egotistic or trying to be selfish with the platform. I know that I’ve got an idea and if any South African act who matters at this time wants to help me or wants to be the supporting act, I’d gladly appreciate that,” he said.
“Black Coffee has already reached out to me saying that he’d love to come perform on the night.
The rapper whose debut album – Tsholofelo went platinum in April this year is confident he has what it takes to fill up a venue which hosted America’s Trey Songz last weekend.
“We made the most successful hip hop album (Tsholofelo) of all time and now we’re about to make history as the first South African solo act to fill up the dome,” he tweeted.
With hunger to improve and succeed as well as a passion to be the best, Nyovest has placed himself in a space where dreams are reality and all challenges becoming reachable goals.
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamt about a day like this. Lights, music and 20,000 people screaming my name. Was it a selfish dream? Was it about power? I mean, I’m good at what I do but I’m no Kanye West or Chris Brown right? In life you choose how big your dreams are. . . I’m a strong believer in God, anything and everything can be done through Him!”
The cheapest ticket has been pegged at R200 with the Golden Circle ticket costing R350.
“Seems like everybody is buying the Golden Circle ticket. Did you think you’d see people pay R350 to see one SA hip hop act,” tweeted Nyovest in response to fans who had shared images of their tickets with him.
As expected, the Doc Shebeleza hit-maker has come under fire from fellow artistes and public who are questioning the authenticity of his “dream”. Meme’s have since been created with the latest being of AKA standing in the Old Trafford stadium saying if Cassper manages to fill the Ticketpro Dome, then he will also fill the Manchester United home.
Some are mocking Nyovest saying he is holding the show to raise funds to pay bride price for his new beau, Boity Thulo.
The artiste has however silenced doubters saying: “I’m not bothered about people who’re negative because I’m used to it. When I was making my album and when I was releasing my album, I got the same type of response from people because I was different.”
South Africa radio personality, Anele Mdoda, backed Nyovest advising him to ensure people attend the show on merit and not as sympathisers.
“You wouldn’t want people to fill up the Dome on a let’s help him break a record, you wanna fill it up on merit so make it worthwhile,” tweeted Mdoda.
But to Nyovest, all the talk around the concert is good mileage.
It seems the sky is the limit for Nyovest who, through hard work has earned himself millions of rands. At 24, he recently bought a plush house as well as top-of-the-range vehicles.
Online Reporter