October 4-10, the week’s music events: Jay-Z tour, MTV Africa Music Awards, more (Agenda)

(Relaxnews) -

In the week of October 4-10, the (RED) Campaign for AIDS-research fundraising presents a (RED) Nights Benefit Concert featuring U2 and Scarlett Johansson; Jay-Z kicks off his North American tour in support of the no.1 album The Blueprint 3; and the second annual MTV Africa Music Awards lights up Nairobi, Kenya.

(RED) Nights Benefit Concert (US)
October 4
Irish rock group U2, American rock singer Courtney Love and American actress-singer Scarlett Johansson will all be on hand for the (RED) Nights charity benefit at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The (RED) Campaign was initially founded in 2006 to raise funds for eliminating AIDS in Africa; (RED) Nights began in June 2009, a concert series launched as a collaborative effort between the (RED) Campaign and concert promotion company Live Nation for the same purpose. The bill also includes American singers Laurie Anderson and Rufus Wainwright, and English singer Antony Hegarty. U2 is only scheduled to play with other performers on the program; the quartet will not perform any of its own songs as a group. (Lead singer Bono is one of the original founders of [RED].)
Carnegie Hall
New York, New York/US
www.joinred.com/rednights

Jay-Z Tour (North America)
October 8-November 22
American rapper Jay-Z launches a nationwide tour throughout North America to promote his 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3. Married to American pop singer Beyoncé and known to hobnob with the likes of President Barack Obama, Jay-Z has transcended hip-hop culture since débuting in 1996 with his rap classic Reasonable Doubt, racking up his 11th number one album on the Billboard 200 album chart due to his widespread audience. The MC's two-month concert trek is likely to find similar success.
States/Provinces: Pennyslvania, Kentucky, Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio, Ontario, Quebec, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas
www.jay-z.com

MTV Africa Music Awards (Kenya)
October 10
Haitian-American hip-hop singer Wyclef Jean will host the second annual MTV Africa Music Awards at the Indoor Arena of Moi International Sports Complex, in Nairobi, Kenya. Artists of both Nigerian and South African descent have received a total of 15 nominations, with Nigerian hip-hop singer 2face Idibia in the lead for four (best male, artist of the year, best video and best R&B). The afrobeat-influenced Nigerian singer D'Banj vies for three: best male, best performer and artist of the year. Other African countries making their mark in 2009 include Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Namibia and Mozambique. American artists represented in the international category include rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, plus R&B singers Beyoncé and Akon. Winners will be chosen by public voting, via website and cellphone.
Moi International Sports Complex
Nairobi/Kenya
www.mama.mtvbase.com