Online Reporter
R&B lovers are in for another nostalgic musical experience this with Ginuwine, Grammy Award winner Mýa and RL set to headline the second edition of Ndlala Grandeur at Ndlala Arena in Pretoria.
The two-night concert will take place on August 21 and 22, bringing together some of the biggest names in international and South African R&B.
The announcement marks another major step for Ndlala Arena, which made its debut as a live entertainment venue last year when it hosted American R&B star Joe Thomas during the opening celebrations of Ndlala Mall.
Thomas’s performance was followed by a second night headlined by Donell Jones, establishing the Pretoria venue with a distinctly R&B-focused live offering.
Now, Ndlala Arena is looking to build on that momentum with an even bigger line-up.
Ginuwine brings the ‘Pony’ era to Pretoria
Taking centre stage on Saturday, August 22, will be Ginuwine, one of the defining voices of 1990s and 2000s R&B.
Born Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, Ginuwine rose to prominence through his collaborations with legendary producer Timbaland and became known for a string of enduring hits, including “Pony”, “So Anxious”, “Differences”, “In Those Jeans” and “Same Ol’ G”.
With a career spanning more than three decades, the singer has remained a familiar name among R&B audiences, while his work as part of the supergroup TGT alongside Tank and Tyrese further cemented his place in the genre.
His upcoming Pretoria performance will give South African fans the opportunity to hear some of his biggest hits live, while adding another major international name to Ndlala Arena’s growing concert calendar.
Before Ginuwine takes the stage, Friday night’s concert will see two international R&B favourites share the bill.
Mýa will headline alongside RL, the lead vocalist of multi-platinum R&B group NEXT.
Mýa rose to international fame with hits including “Case of the Ex”, “It’s All About Me”, “My Love Is Like… Wo” and “Free”. She was also part of the Grammy-winning “Lady Marmalade” collaboration alongside Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim and Pink.
For RL, the Pretoria show will be an opportunity to revisit the catalogue that made NEXT a major force in late-1990s and early-2000s R&B, including “Too Close”, “Wifey”, “Butta Love” and “I Still Love You”.
The Friday line-up will also feature South African Afro-soul star Zonke Dikana, adding a local voice to the international R&B showcase.
Ndlala Grandeur II comes a year after Ndlala Arena first entered the live entertainment conversation with its opening concerts.
The venue forms part of businessman Thami Ndlala’s redevelopment of the former Sterland Mall in Arcadia, Pretoria. When plans for the revamped property were first revealed, an arena was among the entertainment and lifestyle additions planned for the complex.
The first concerts demonstrated the venue’s ambition to bring established international R&B acts to Pretoria, and the latest announcement suggests that this is becoming a key part of its identity. — IOL.
