Timbaland, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, New Boyz, Benny D and more added to Supafest 2011!

Supafest 2011 has just gotten bigger with the announcement of Timbaland, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, New Boyz, Benny D and local artists Israel, Miracle & DJ Nino Brown, who join Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Taio Cruz and Bow Wow! Australian urban music fans will be treated to over 9 hours of live music by some of the biggest urban artists in the world.

TIMBALAND is one of the greatest producers of our time. He is one of the biggest creative forces in popular music and has been responsible for making smash hits for artists including Justin Timberlake, The Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Rihanna, Madonna and Usher, to name just a few. His 2007 release “Shock Value” went 3 x platinum in Australia with the feature song “The Way I Are” being one of the biggest selling singles of the year. Shock Value II was released in 2009 and spawned the hit singles “Say Something” featuring Drake, “If We Ever Meet Again” featuring Katy Perry and “Carry Out” featuring Justin Timberlake.

Grammy Awardwinning artist T-Pain has been blowing Australian audiences away with his energetic live show for the last few years. The charismatic artist has provided signature hooks for some of the biggest urban tracks of the last 5 years, plus released multiple hits of his own including “Buy You A Drank”, “Freeze” and “Can’t Believe It”.

One of hip-hop’s most enduring and iconic figures, BUSTA RHYMES, is widely acknowledged as one of raps greatest lyricists and performers. In his 20 plus years in the game, this certified legend has worked with everyone from A Tribe Called Quest and Dr Dre, through to Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey. In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo album, The Coming, which featured the Grammy Nominated hit song “Whoo Hah! Got You All In Check”. The track marked his first of 19 gold and platinum US singles. Busta Rhymes’ run in the international pop, rap and urban top ten has extended way over a decade, from “Who’s It Gonna Be?!” featuring Janet Jackson, “Pass the Courvoisier” with Diddy and Pharell, “I Know What You Want” with Mariah Carey through to Gold Selling “Touch It” and “Arab Money”. In between making albums, Busta entered the acting arena starring in John Singleton’s hit movie Higher Learning (1995) in which Busta made his acting debut. Busta teamed up again with John Singleton and starred along side Samuel L Jackson, Vanessa Jackson and Christian Bale in the remake of the 1971 classic Shaft (2000). Also in 2000 Busta Rhymes starredwith Sir Sean Connery in Finding Forrester.

After blowing away audiences across Australia at Summerbeatz, CIARA is back! She is a global superstar whose infectious tunes have resulted in multi-platinum albums, smash singles and a truckload of awards. Her dazzling dance moves have mesmerized audiences worldwide. Her striking good looks have led to modelling opportunities and her magnetic screen presence has jumpstarted a promising acting career. Her brand new album “Basic Instinct” is out now.

The NEW BOYZ are a hip-hop group and jerkin’ crew from California comprised of rappers Earl “Ben J” Benjamin and Dominic “Legacy” Thomas. After meeting as freshmen at Hesperia High School they released their debut single “You’re a Jerk” which racked up over 60,000,000 views on YouTube, dominated American airwaves and was called “pretty much perfect” by the New York Times. New Boyz created a sound, slang and fashion sense that made them one of the biggest hip-hop groups to emerge from LA in years. The talented duo followed up with the hit single “Tie Me Down” featuring Ray J off the debut album “Skinny Jeanz & A Mic”. Their latest single “Break My Bank” featuring Iyaz is all over the American Airwaves, and is the first single off their sophomore album “Too Cool To Care”.

Sporting a personality as vibrant as his native Virgin Islands, Benny Demus is globally known as an entertainer extraordinaire. Acknowledged as a first-class producer, writer, DJ and rapper, he has stamped his own ticket to success. He has thousands of fans in over 180 countries and also has a clear passion for using his celebrity status and resources to enrich the lives of others. Benny Demus introduced himself as an emcee in the US on the college circuit and performed at various venues while attending college in North Dakota and Wyoming. After Akon sought him out he brought Benny Demus on as his DJ, DJ BENNY-D. Since then, it has been a world wind of opportunities for Benny Demus. He is the DJ for not only Akon, but for Rock City and for Eve. Wowing audiences the world over.

Regarded as a pioneer amongst his peers and fans, Australia’s own ISRAEL continues to break boundaries and push urban music and its culture to new heights. In 2007, a collaboration with US rapper Fabolous, led him to work with Jay Sean, Lil Jon, Pitbull, Mario, Bow Wow, Ciara & Leona Lewis to name but a few, while locally, he has produced and penned hits for Jessica Mauboy, Stan Walker and Scarlett Belle. 2011 is set to be Israel’s biggest year yet, having recently produced Jay Sean’s next single “Break Ya Back” plus commencing work on his first solo international album. He recently secured a publishing deal with Sony/ATV, and signed as an artist to Cash Money Records further solidifyinghimself as an all-round producer/singer/rapper/songwriter who is breaking down barriers and setting musical trends worldwide. His latest single “Hold It Down” is currently the most requested single on The Edge 96.1 and will be released shortly.
Born in Ghana and raised in Sydney via Melbourne, 18 year old hip hop sensation MIRACLE, first discovered rap 5 years ago and started collecting equipment to produce beats in his bedroom. Miracle produced a track “Better Dayz” for his HSC music composition, which his friends also shot a clip for. Uploading it onto youtube, the track picked up major street traction via word of mouth and saw Miracle get 12,000 fans on facebook, gain over 15,000 views on youtube, and was added to Sydney community station FBI. Catching the attention of record labels, Miracle signed with Sony Music Australia and his first single “Better Dayz” has now been officially serviced to radio. Currently in the studio recording his debut album, Miracle has also been hand picked by some of hip hop’s finest including Big Boi, Lupe Fiasco, and Maseo from De La Soul for support spots on their Australian Tours.

DJ NINO BROWN is widely regarded as Australia’s number one Hip-Hop & R&B Club DJ. A true master of the turntable, with numerous accolades planted firmly under his belt, this hip-hop star continues to prove that he’s earned his place in the ranks of Australia’s finest DJs and radio personalities. Over the past fifteen years he has entertained the listening masses across four continents, but with special detail at home in Australia. He has a loyal fan base and travels interstateweekly to satisfy the demand. His phenomenal live shows pull in up to 3,000punters per week. Nino’s successful Blazin series have sold over 300,000 copies making them the biggest sellingurban compilation in Australia. His latest release Blazin 2011 is in storesnow.
TOUR DATES & TICKET DETAILS

Saturday April 9th – Sydney, ANZ Stadium Tickets from Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

Sunday April 10th – Perth, Joondalup Arena Tickets from Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au

Saturday April 16th – Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds Tickets from Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

Sunday April 17th – Melbourne, Melbourne Showgrounds Tickets from Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

For all ticket information please go to www.ticketek.com.au

DOORS OPEN 2PM FOR SYDNEY, PERTH & BRISBANE & 12PM FOR MELBOURNE

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

BLING RING TICKETS $169 / GENERAL ADMISSION $125

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.