Addition made to Ja Rule concert
January 31, 2003
The Convocation Center has found one of Destiny’s children to replace a Ruff Ryder.
After a week-long search, Joe Coots, Convo Center marketing director, announced Thursday that Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child, Solange and Benzino will replace Eve during the Feb. 12 Charli Baltimore and Ja Rule concert.
For undisclosed reasons, Grammy Award winner Eve’s management company pulled her from several concert dates last week.
“Once we lost Eve, we knew we had to get someone that would be a substantial supporting act,” Coots said.
Rowland is one-third of the female trio Destiny’s Child and has skyrocketed to the top of the charts as a solo artist with “Stole,” and her duet with Nelly, “Dilemma.”
“Ja Rule felt it was important to get a strong supporting act and Kelly Rowland was interested in doing a tour,” Coots said. “It worked out well this way.”
Solange, the 16-year-old sister of Destiny’s Child’s Beyonce Knowles, will open the show first by performing songs from her debut album “Solo Star,” which was released Jan. 21.
Hip-hop artist and Boston-native Ray Benzino will take the stage after Solange. Benzino started his career as an emcee and producer of the Boston group Made Men. His debut solo album, “The Benzino Remix Project,” which he also produced, will be released this year.
Rowland will follow Benzino with Charli Baltimore and Ja Rule wrapping up the show.
Even though Coots said he was disappointed that Eve had to cancel, he thinks the concert will be well-received.
“We took a good show and made it better,” Coots said.
Tickets for the concert went on sale Jan. 16, and tickets still are available. Despite the additional performers, the ticket prices will remain the same, Coots said.
Reserved tickets for NIU students cost $28, and tickets for the general public cost $34. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, charged by phone at (312) 559-1212 or at the Convo Center ticket office, located at 1525 W. Lincoln Highway.