American quartet Boyz II Men is set to perform in Kenya on June 10, 2023, in the biggest ever RnB concert on Kenyan soil, Stanbic Yetu Festival.
Kenya marks the group’s first Kenyan tour in history since their existence in the 1990s. The festival will go down at Uhuru Gardens in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. They will also perform in Uganda and later in South Africa. While Boyz II Men haven’t travelled Africa extensively, South Africa was always a favourite.
They had a scheduled tour to Mzansi in April 2020 but it never materialised due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Cape Town and Pretoria were among the South African cities the quartet was to perform at.
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What is Stanbic Yetu Festival?
The Stanbic Yetu Festival is a joint concept by Stanbic Bank and Radio Africa Group. These two corporate entities hope to unleash the unifying power of music in helping millions of Kenyans realise their dreams. Further, Stanbic is optimistic about popularizing its ‘IT CAN BE’ brand, a bigger reason why Boy II Men are in Kenya.
Boyz II Men. Photo/Capital News
Additionally, Stanbic Bank is devoted to celebrating Kenya’s talent by fostering the arts and music. A result of this is bolstering the Kenyan economy by fostering the expansion of the entertainment sector.
The Standard Bank Group is a pioneer in supporting performed arts in Africa. This financial group makes use of its wide-ranging presence to develop the African arts industry and foster the development of both the visual and performing arts.
With this, there is more participation and social interaction which is a force needed to keep the industry growing. Now in its second edition, the Stanbic Yetu Festival has spread its tentacles by sponsoring music in Malawi and Zambia besides doing so in South Africa and Kenya.
Other Artists Performing at Stanbic Yetu Festival in Kenya With Boyz II Men
Celebrated Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol will perform at the festival alongside the American quartet. The award-winning music band has withstood the test of time to remain relevant and together for over a decade. African music pundits describe them as the epitome of unity.
Other Kenyan entertainers who will play at the concert include the following:
- DJ G-Money
- DJ Cream
- DJ Grauchi
- DJ Forro
- CNG
- DJ Shaky
Who are Boyz II Men?
Boyz II Men are a trio; Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris and Wanyá Morris from Philadelphia. Morris and Marc Nelson started the group in 1985 while they were students at Philadelphia’s High School. They made music before the 90s as Unique Attraction.
The original lineup included classmates Marguerite Walker, Jon Shoats, and George Baldi. Freshman Wanya Morris joined the group in 1987. However, they began to disintegrate in 1988 after Baldi, Shoats, and Walker graduated. The first replacement was Shawn Stockman, who was hired after the other members heard him give a solo performance with the school choir.
Boyz II Men. Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC
Michael McCary, a bass vocalist, came next. He joined a spontaneous singing session in the school’s washroom and was quickly hired. The five-piece changed their name to Boyz II Men in 1988 after the single “Boys To Men” on New Edition’s 1988 album Heart Break, having established a stable line-up. Their heroes would soon have a greater influence on their careers.
Decades later, Boyz II Men morphed into the most commercially successful R&B group. They made a name globally with their blend of beautiful soul harmonies and swaggering new jack swing beats. Their more than 20-year career is dotted with numerous award-winning songs and records-breaking successes.
With an amazing 64 million records sold worldwide, the trio made much of it from their timeless soulful hit songs like End of the Road, I’ll Make Love to You, and more. Boyz II Men released Twenty album in 2011 to commemorate their 20th anniversary. The album included their first original songs in ten years as well as updated versions of their iconic tunes.
How Much Do Tickets to Stanbic Yetu Festival Cost?
VVIP tickets cost $220 (Sh30,000) – and they are all sold out as of May 4. VIP tickets are going for $110 (Sh15,000). Again, they are sold out leaving the regular $58 (Sh8,000) which are halfway sold out as of May 4. You can get your ticket at www.ticketyetu.com.
