US superstar Lil Kim has been in SA for only 24 hours, but the voluptuous rapper is already planning to buy a house here.
She turned down opportunities to perform in Houston, the US and Puerto Rico so that she could make her way to South Africa.
And Kim is promising her South African fans the performance of a lifetime – she will be wearing the sexiest of sexy outfits on stage.
The rapper will be lighting up the African sky from Saturday night, joined by world famous producer Timbaland, Ciara, Phat Joe, and DJ Scratch for the first of four concerts starting in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The five were brought to South Africa by businessman Kenny Kunene and his partner Gayton McKenzie as part of the ZAR Fest.
The superstars will perform in Cape Town at the International Convention Centre on June 2 and Joburg’s CocaCola Dome on June 3 before ending their tour in Durban on June 4 at the Moses Mabhida stadium.
Kim said she could not wait to perform for her African fans.
“It’s going to be absolutely crazy,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Saturday Star on Friday night.
“I am saving my best performances for all the people in Africa. Whatever songs you want I will perform and only in my body suit,” laughed the rapper.
Kim said she was completely taken aback by how beautiful the country is.
“When I stepped out of the airport I felt like I was still in New York.
“This is my very first time in South Africa and I have to say it is absolutely amazing.
“The people I have met so far have been so nice and friendly to me and I already feel at home.”
“However, I didn’t expect South Africa to be so cold. I thought it would be a little warmer.”
Famous for songs such as Put Your Lighters Up and Black Friday, Kim said she loved South African music.
“I have heard a couple of artists who were wonderful and I plan on collaborating with a few of them. Hell, the country is so beautiful I even plan on shooting a music video here.”
She also said she was dying to meet Nelson Mandela.
“I have performed for his 46664 concert before but I never got to meet Mandela,” she said.
“I’m holding thumbs that I do get to meet him.
“We actually got something in common. We both have our birthdays in the same month and we are both Cancer (star signs),” said Kim.
She was full of praise for Kunene.
She said he was one of the coolest men she had ever met.
“As I got out the airport, there was Kenny waiting for me by his Lamborghini, looking all fly
“The man’s got style and lots of it,” Kim said.
Besides performing in South Africa, the 36-year-old also plans to do some charity work.
“I’ve always been involved with charities and I look forward to helping out wherever I can in South Africa. It’s a country that I hold very close to my heart,” she said.
“I am also looking forward to doing a lot of sight-seeing in the country with Kenny. It’s going to be so much fun,” she said.
Kim has urged all her South African fans to tweet their favourite songs while she’s in the country as she would like to perform what the fans love.
“I want to make my South African fans very happy and the best way to do that is to find out what they love most,” said Kim. - Saturday Star