R&B kick off for Twenty20

JameliaCome next week and our cricket crazy country will be hit by the Twenty20 Champions League, the mother of all club cricket tournaments. Twenty20 that kickstarts on October 8 in Bangalore will get a fitting aggression- meets-passion opening ceremony with performances by Grammy winning legend, Queen of Funk Soul, Chaka Khan and Rap Reggae great Shaggy along with R&B singer/model Jamelia.

While Chaka Khan and Shaggy have performed in the country before, it’ll be a first for Superstar singer Jamelia. They’ll be doing two songs each before coming together for the ceremony, which will have over 500 performers from India and other countries.

T Venkat Vardhan, managing director DNA Networks that’s organising the ceremony, tells us more, “Our brief was to do something that signifies energy, aggression and is also in tune with modern times. Chaka Khan is an international legend who will complement the spirit and sportsmanship. Jamelia’s song Superstar goes well with the array of superstars who’ll be playing.”

While Chaka Khan will sing her hit, I Feel For You, Shaggy will perform his single Feel the Rush (that was also the anthem of Euro 2008).

Sangeeta Sharma, 30, who saw Chaka Khan perform live in Delhi earlier this year, says, “I’m definitely going to Bangalore for this. Chaka Khan’s performances are mind blowing, she is a dynamite on the stage.” Vandana Kapoor, 24, says, “Shaggy! Shaggy! He’s a heartthrob. Him and Jamelia together, I just have to see this!”