Africa Rising is the brainchild of Thisday’s Editor-In-Chief, Nduka Obaigbena. The premise of Thisday’s Africa Rising is to celebrate Africa’s achievements and reflect the culture and positive attributes of Africa’s social, political and economical progress. It also seeks to reach out to the continent’s diverse population as well as the diaspora and international communities.

This event is now heading into it’s third year and previous events have featured some big artists in entertainment including Lionel Ritchie, 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’s event will feature 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.