Alicia Keys Taps Nas and Diddy to Perform at Black Ball
The yearly Keep A Child Alive charity concert takes place this month in New York and co-founder/co-host Alicia Keys has pulled the city's top talent for the bill.
Nas, who is coming off a worldwide tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of his seminal debut Illmatic, and Diddy, who recently launched his own cable network, will take a moment from their whirlwind lives to play a set at the benefit, known simply as the Black Ball.
Angel Haze and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Byrne are also slated to perform, as is Keys herself and more "incredible artists," so says the invite. Keys's husband Swizz Beatz will co-host.
Since 2004, the "black tie fly" event has brought in $22.6 million in funds to support children and families living with HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. Last year's ball, featuring performances from Pharrell and Carole King, raised some $4 million, reports the Associated Press.
This year's event, the 11th annual Black Ball, is scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Hammerstein Ballroom and, in addition to the star power, features a live auction.
Watch Kevin Hart in a new episode of Real Husbands of Hollywood every Tuesday, 10P/9C.
BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
(Photos from left: David Becker/Getty Images for Clear Channel, Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)