R Kelly Backs African Supergroup

Is support from R Kelly a help or a curse? An African supergroup is set to take America by storm, showcasing a diverse mix of voices that let the world see all of Africa's musical talent. But will they be helped or hurt by the fact that controversial singer R Kelly is backing the group?

The group is named One8, and unites stars from right different African countries, described by Billboard magazine as some of the biggest stars in their respective home countries, who sell lots of CDs and concert tickets. But is America ready to embrace an African version of the "urban" sound? And will the masses support a group that gets prominent support from R Kelly, who is a gifted hitmaker but also very controversial for his charges of illicit acitivity with young girls It remains to be seen, but I hope these artists will get a fair shot, and are not judged by R Kelly's past.

R Kelly Backs African Supergroup
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Eight African musical superstars have joined forces, on a mission to share their continent's music with a global audience. They have formed a pan-African supergroup, called ONE8, which has been tipped as one to watch this year by U.S.-based Billboard magazine -- the music industry's bible on what's hot and what's not. The group is set to release its debut album next month. The ambitious project has brought together diverse musicians from eight African countries, many of whom are huge in their homeland but relatively unknown elsewhere. "It's new urban Africa, it's fresh, it's liberating and most importantly it's positive," said ONE8's Amani, a Kenyan singer who won the MTV African Music Award for Best Female Artist in 2009.

R Kelly Backs African Supergroup