” Although we’ve come, To the end of the road, Still I can’t let go, It’s unnatural, You belong to me
I belong to you, Although we’ve come, To the end of the road, Still I can’t let go, It’s unnatural, You belong to me, I belong to you ”
Boyz II Men, the American vocal quartet that emerged in the 1990s and became one of the most successful rhythm-and-blues groups, are coming to Nairobi, Kenya for the second edition of the now popular Stanbic Yetu Festival. They will be performing live on Saturday June 10th 2023 in what could be possibly the biggest concert in Kenya in 2023. Kenya is the first leg of their first ever Africa tour. They will also perform in Uganda and South Africa.
The concert dubbed, Stanbic Yetu Festival will also showcase some of the best Kenyan Dj’s including DJ G-Money (Conrad Gray), DJ Forro (Andrew Waititu), Dj Shaky (Allan Wainaina) , DJ Grauchi (Zacchaeus Ngani), CNG (Charles Githumbi) and DJ Cream ( Derrick Kamau). Tickets for the Stanbic Yetu Festival are available for purchase on www.ticketyetu.com.
Stanbic Bank and Radio Africa Group through The Stanbic Yetu Festival seeks to leverage music, a
powerful human connector, to bring to life Stanbic’s brand promise “IT CAN BE” by creating a
soulful and magical live musical experience in Kenya, making possibilities real and dreams possible for
millions of Kenyans. Stanbic Bank is also deeply committed to ensuring Kenya’s talent is celebrated
through promoting arts and music, contributing to the growth of the entertainment industry and
consequently the economy of the country.
Standard Bank Group is a leader in supporting arts across Africa and uses its extensive footprint on
the continent to promote the arts, mould a unique cultural identity, nurture, and promote the
development of both the visual and performing arts, encouraging engagement, social interaction and
embraces diverse initiatives. The group has sponsored music in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi and
now Kenya as it continues to grow in popularity and stature.
Known for their combined sweet soul harmonies and swaggering new jack swing beats, Boyz II Men are the most commercially successful R&B group of all time. Their more than 20-year career has been blessed with record-breaking hits and a cavalcade of awards. The group began life as Unique Attraction, founded by friends Nathan Morris and Marc Nelson at Philadelphia’s High School For The Creative And Performing Arts, in 1985. Ask any successful pop or R&B superstar which artists have inspired them – chances are Boyz II Men will be at the top without a doubt.
Schoolmates George Baldi, Jon Shoats and Marguerite Walker completed the original line-up, joined in 1987 by freshman Wanya Morris. The following year saw them splinter, however, as Baldi, Shoats and Walker left following their graduation. Shawn Stockman was the first replacement, snapped up after the remaining members saw him perform a solo with the school choir.
Next was bass vocalist Michael McCary, who joined in an impromptu singing session in the school bathroom and found himself swiftly recruited. With a permanent line-up cemented, the five-piece changed their name to Boyz II Men in 1988, after the track ‘Boys To Men’ on New Edition’s 1988 album Heart Break. Soon, their idols would have an even more pronounced impact on their career…
Now a trio, Boyz II Men celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2011 by releasing Twenty, an album which featured their first original songs in a decade, alongside reworkings of their classics.
The Stanbic Yetu Festival musical journey started in August 2020, where Stanbic Bank in partnership
with Radio Africa Group brought together musicians and fans for an innovative virtual music experience to help sustain and connect the local and global music community during the pandemic.
In that single night, 7.4 million Kenyans joined the first every simulcast of a music concert, a collaboration between Stanbic Bank and all major media outlets in the country. In 2022, the Stanbic Yetu Festival was headlined by Grammy award-winning, multiplatinum singer-songwriter, producer and actor, Anthony Hamilton, together with Otile Brown and June Gachui, who created a powerful electrifying musical experience, attracting over 2000 attendees.
(additional info/ profile on Boyz 11 Men from Udiscover Team and Radio Africa)