Today's Edition
The World Tennis League (WTL) organisers have added global R&B megastars, Akon and Ne-Yo, to a rocking line-up of entertainers heading to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena towards the end of the year.
The award-winning stars join a stellar selection of global music artists, with world-class performers including 50 Cent, UB40, The Original Wailers and Trojan Sound System already confirmed by organisers for the event on Yas Island. The WTL is a mixed-gender team tournament which launched last season in Dubai before heading to the capital this year and will be held from December 21-24.
Akon and Ne-Yo will headline a special “R&B Evening” concert on the second day with their performances closing out an entertaining day of play from some of the world’s top tennis talent. A globally renowned singer, songwriter and producer, Akon has wowed audiences worldwide with his unique blend of R&B, hip-hop and pop music for decades. With his captivating vocals and infectious beats, Akon has not only topped the music charts but has also received numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career, including several Billboard Music Awards.
Alongside current hits including Right Now (Na Na Na), Lonely and I Wanna Love You, Akon’s discography includes a Grammy win for his collaboration with Eminem on the hit single, Smack That.
The evening sees a unique reunion for Akon and Ne-Yo, with the duo set to share the same stage at Etihad Arena following their 2011 collaboration with David Guetta on the chart-topping single, Play Hard. For Ne-Yo, his star has continued to rise since his introduction to the mainstream in the early 2000s, writing Let Me Love You, a number one pop hit for Mario, before becoming a prominent star in the industry.
His accolades include three Grammy awards, winning his first in 2007 for Best Contemporary R&B album, Because of You. His smash-hit single, Miss Independent saw him earn two more Grammys, including Best Song and Best Male Vocal Performance.
The music megastar will be bringing his biggest hits, such as So Sick, Closer, Time of Our Lives (with Pitbull) and One in A Million. Commenting on the announcement, Rajesh Banga, Chairman of World Tennis League, said: “When it comes to R&B music, Akon and Ne-Yo are two of the biggest names to grace the world stage, producing some of the iconic global hits that still resonate with international audiences to this day. “With a list of chart-topping singles, including their blockbuster hit ‘Play Hard’ in collaboration with David Guetta, we are delighted to have Akon and Ne-Yo performing at this year’s edition of the World Tennis League – it promises to be an unforgettable night of entertainment for our fans.”
Tickets are available on the Etihad Arena website (etihadarena.ae), Platinum List (platinumlist.net) and Virgin Megastores.
