Jay-Z, Usher and Mary J Blige confirm Africa Rising Festival

THISDAY, Africa's leading media source is set to revolutionise the way awareness is raised for African issues through its annual star-studded THISDAY Festival.

This year's Festival themed 'Africa Rising' will focus on finding "sustainable solutions" rather than the "problems" facing Africa.

Following the overwhelming success of the festival now in its third year, Nigerian media mogul Nduka Obaigbena is taking his brain-child cross-continent with scheduled events in Abuja (THISDAY Dome, July 11th) Lagos (THISDAY Center, July 13th), Washington DC (Kennedy Center, August 1st) and London (Royal Albert Hall October 14th).

The world-class festival is set to project positive images of Africa by showcasing the renaissance of Africa's music, fashion and the arts. The continent's culture will be on full display as patrons will live the true African experience at every event.

The previous THISDAY events in 2006 and 2007 featured the biggest names in music – Lionel Richie, King Sunny Ade, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Asa, Alicia Keys, P Diddy, Shakira, D'Banj, Snoop Dogg, 2Face, John Legend, Missy Elliot, Ne-yo, Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Kelly Rowland.

This year, the festival gets even bigger as it encompasses music, fashion and culture. International and African stars Jay-Z, Usher, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Fat Joe, Naomi Campbell, Oluchi, Tyson Beckford, Youssou N'Dour, Liya Kebede, Alek Wek, Ozwald Boateng, Chris Aire, 9ICE and Shank are on the bill for the events.

'Africa Rising' was first launched in 2006 under the direction of THISDAY's Editor-in-Chief, Nduka Obaigbena. Its mission is not only to reflect the culture and positive attributes of Africa's social, political and economical progress, but also to reach out to the continent's diverse population as well as the diaspora and International communities.

In the relatively short time it has been running, THISDAY's festival has become a major annual international event. With other acts to be announced shortly, this is set to be an unmissable event with outstanding A-list support.