Star Mega Jam
The Star Mega Jam is an annual musical concert organized by Star lager beer which is manufactured by Nigerian Breweries Plc. The show features international artistes who perform alongside the best of Nigerian artistes. Star Mega Jam was staged in 2000 to introduce the new Star Lager beer bottle. It has since been described by Star as an avenue to reward loyalists of the beer brand for their patronage by bringing international music stars; whose performance they may not have the chance of witnessing, except brought to Nigeria to perform at the Star Mega Jam concert. Since 2000, the brand has invited top international musical stars every year to Nigeria to perform. Star Mega Jam is usually held in two cities – Lagos and Abuja. As a means of getting the input of Nigerians in Star Mega Jam, they are allowed to vote for the international artistes who would eventually come to perform in Nigeria. }
Star Mega Jam (SMJ) is the longest running, biggest and most exciting musical activation in Nigeria. The first edition of the musical concert was held in the year 2000; and it has been held yearly ever since. Star Mega Jam is organised yearly by Nigerian Breweries Plc. Nigerian Breweries Plc, the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria, was incorporated in 1946. Its flagship product is Star lager beer, first produced in 1949, thus becoming the first locally manufactured beer in Nigeria.
The Star Mega Jam was instituted in 2000 as a pivotal activation to launch the introduction of a new Star bottle and brand identity. Over the years, it has evolved into an established brand in its own right; and a foremost platform to promote the Star brand image as a fun, bright and sociable brand to celebrate. Held in December every year since 2000, it annually features world-class international musical artistes, live on Nigerian soil. These international acts are complemented by the best of Nigerian musical super stars.
The first edition featured the Makossa music exponent – Awilo Logomba, followed in 2001 with the performance of Mr. Lover, Lover – Shaggy. The 2002 edition featured Grammy Awards winner Usher Raymond. In 2003, Koffi Olumide, the acclaimed father of Soukous, was on hand, while American rap sensation, 50 Cent featured in 2004.
The next year 2005 brought the duo of Ja Rule and Kevin Lyttle. Another duo, LL Cool J and Akon, took the stand in 2006 and in 2007, the Multi-Grammy Awards winner and American sensation Kanye West and T-Pain were on hand to thrill consumers in a breath taking, all-time best performance that took them to both Lagos and Abuja. In 2008 Nelly and Nas thrilled Nigerian music lovers to the best of entertainment that only Star Mega Jam offers, while in 2009 Busta Rhymes and Ludacris took the show to a whole new level, giving the nation a memorable experience of fun and brightness.
For the 2010 edition, American R & B sensation, R. Kelly is scheduled to perform. To perform alongside R. Kelly are wave making Nigerian artistes such as P Square, D’ Banj, Mo Hits crew, Faze, MI, Timaya, Sound Sultan and 9ice. Also scheduled to join them are KC Presh, Diamonds, The Pulse and Jukebox, all past winners of Star Quest. Star Quest is a talent hunt programme introduced by Star, to discover and promote young and budding Nigerian artistes and nurture them into musical stardom.
The 2010 edition which is the 11th in the series, will hold in Polo Club Grounds Ikoyi on Friday, December 17; while the second show is scheduled for the Old Parade Grounds in Abuja on Saturday, December 18.