Jay Z, No Doubt, Tiësto Set to Headline Free Global Citizen Festival
MATT DIEHL
It may surprise some to see a hip-hop icon like Jay Z — the rapper who helped personify the idea of ostentatious wealth — go hard to end world poverty, but that’s exactly what you can expect at the upcoming 2014 Global Citizen Festival.
The rapper will headline the annual charity event organized by the Global Poverty Project, taking place this year on September 27th on the Great Lawn in New York's Central Park. Of course, Jigga has always claimed that his blinged-out persona was in service of inspiring the less fortunate, and S. Carter is committing to these ideals with his Global Citizen Festival appearance. "Change only takes place when and where there is action," the rapper said in a statement. "I'm joining the 2014 Global Citizen Festival because I believe through actions, whether it be by raising awareness, getting involved or educating ourselves, the goal to end extreme poverty by 2030 is possible."
But Jay is just one of the megawatt music names slated to perform at this year's festival, which includes country superstar Carrie Underwood, alt-pop hitmakers fun., hip-hop's greatest band the Roots, dance music veteran Tiësto and No Doubt, who will be making their first live appearance as a band following an extended hiatus from performing. "Global Citizen will be the first show No Doubt has played together in two years," bassist/co-founder Tony Kanal tells Rolling Stone. "It's a great way to get us back on stage. It was such an honor to be asked to play this particular concert. It's unacceptable that over 1 billion people live in extreme poverty, and it's got a pretty eclectic lineup, which reflects the event's true spirit of diversity."
"Global Poverty Project’s effort to end extreme poverty by 2030 is a cause I strongly support," Tiësto tells Rolling Stone. "I am incredibly honored to be part of this year’s lineup for the the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park and to add my voice and the voices of my fans to those calling on the world’s leaders to throw their weight behind GPP’s efforts. It’s going to be an amazing show in one of the most unique venues in the world."
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jay-z-no-doubt-tiesto-set-to-headline-free-global-citizen-festival-20140709#ixzz36z0Ep1OC
