SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, AT 7:30 PM

Sponsored by Skyy Blue

Media Sponsor: KCRW

On Sunday, August 25, at 7:30 p.m., the Hollywood Bowl presents Spirit 'n' Soul, a concert marking the Bowl debuts of soul songstress Erykah Badu, the eclectic and versatile ex-Fugee Wyclef Jean, and the hypnotic and earthy Zap Mama.

Backbeat Live pre-concert performances take place one hour prior to the concert at the Patio, and are free to all ticket holders. The August 25 session features the hip hop quintet, 4th Avenue Jones'.

Opening the concert is Zap Mama, an all-female quintet known for their soulful vocals and penetrating world culture-influenced grooves. Zap Mama blends world music styles from all over the globe with funky hip hop grooves.

Musical adventurer Wyclef Jean brings his emotive rap style into the mix for Spirit 'n' Soul. Jean, a founding member of The Fugees, one of the most influential rap groups in history, pioneered the true-to-life style-seasoned with radio-friendly musical, lyrical, and vocal sophistication-that jump-started the widespread evolution of hip hop music.

The trailblazing R&B singer/songwriter Erykah Badu has been hailed for her genre-bending blend of hip hop, acid jazz, and soul, as well as a vocal ability that recalls the delicate phrasing and seductive swing of singers such as Billie Holiday.

R&B singer/songwriter ERYKAH BADU makes her Bowl debut this summer. Born in 1972 in Dallas, the former teacher was discovered opening for D'Angelo in 1994 in her hometown. She released her first record, Baduizm in 1997, which featured guests Ron Carter and members of the hip hop outfit The Roots. After the first single "On & On" hit #1 on the R&B charts, the album soon followed. A live record and her follow-up studio record (Mama's Gun) have both garnered critical praise.

The musically prolific WYCLEF JEAN was born in Haiti and moved to America at the age of 9. In his teens, Jean performed with his cousins in the rap group Tranzlater Crew, which would later morph into the groundbreaking and Grammy award-winning rap group, The Fugees. Following the hiatus of The Fugees, Jean launched a successful solo career including three musically adventurous albums and numerous artistic collaborations. This concert marks Jean's Bowl debut.

Once an all-female a cappella group founded by Zaire native Marie Daulne, ZAP MAMA has become one of world music's hippest groups, working with urban artists such as The Roots and Erykah Badu. They blend world music styles from around the globe with funky, hip hop beats, but voices remain their trademark. Their most recent recording, A Ma Zone, was released in 2000, and they are currently working on a new album. This concert marks their Bowl debut.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

Sunday, August 25, 7:30 PM

Hollywood Bowl (2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood)

Spirit 'n' Soul

ERYKAH BADU

WYCLEF JEAN

ZAP MAMA

LIZA RICHARDSON, host

Sponsored by Skyy Blue

Media Sponsor: KCRW

Backbeat Live pre-concert performances take place one hour prior to the concert at the Patio, and are free to all ticket holders. The August 25 session features the hip-hop quintet 4th Avenue Jones'.

Tickets ($1 - $186) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at hollywoodbowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

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