Media Release Sunday 29 November 2009

The Raggamuffin Music Festival is pleased to announce LAURYN HILL will join the 2010 bill.

Lauryn Hill, an American recording artist, musician, producer and actress established her reputation in the hip-hop world as the lone female member of the Fugees. She sang at Harlem's Apollo Theater at age thirteen and soon after met Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel and his cousin, Wyclef Jean and the three formed the Fugees.

In 1996 the group released their second album which Ms Hill co-wrote and co-produced. The Score sold over 18 million copies, making the Fugees the biggest-selling rap group of all time and winning them two Grammy Awards (Best Rap Album and Best R&B Performance by a duo or group).

A few years later after meeting her long-term partner, Rohan Marley son of Bob Marley, Ms Hill launched her solo career and released the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The recording earned her five Grammy Awards and praise from industry heavyweights such as Public Enemy's Chuck D who admiringly described her as "sunlight" and a "Bob Marley (of the) 21st Century".

Ms Hill will perform at Raggamuffin with SLY & ROBBIE.

Also performing is another member of the Fugees WYCLEF JEAN, plus son of Bob Marley JULIAN MARLEY, SHAGGY, SEAN KINGSTON reggae legends STEEL PULSE and NZ's own KATCHAFIRE, SOLA ROSA & IVA LAMKUM, PACIFIC HERBS and SWEET & IRIE. Over ten hours of funk, dub, hip-hop, soul and of course reggae from four kiwi bands and seven Internationals, resulting in one hot show!

Raggamuffin 2010 - Saturday January 23 @ Rotorua International Stadium Tickets from Ticketmaster - www.ticketmaster.co.nz ph 0800-111-999 Early bird prices (available until Christmas) $95 General Admission Group discounts - buy 10 and get $10 off per ticket (or $85 per early bird ticket) $125 Reserved Seating (R18 - note that there is a child and family area set aside in the stadium available at no extra cost on a first in first served basis) $250 Family (2 adults + 2 children)

Raggamuffin supports the Samoan relief fund

Please note that there will be an option given on the purchase page to donate $1 per ticket to the Samoan relief fund (via the bank trust fund) and if you choose to do this, Andrew McManus Presents will match your $1 with another! Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the tsunami.

Raggamuffin goes green!

Raggamuffin aims to become a fully recyclable event and was one of the first Rotorua events to recycle with paper, plastic with waste bins located throughout the venue. In 2009 approx 5.5 tonnes was recycled from approx 10 tonnes of waste at a 1% contamination rate. In 2010 Raggamuffin is working with the Rotorua District Council and Castlecorp to greatly increase the amount recycled.

For more information visit: www.raggamuffin.co.nz and register online to win Raggamuffin prize packs!

WATCH OUR HOT NEW TV COMMERCIAL - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNzISAq4_mw

For show details go to: www.raggamuffin.co.nz, www.ampresents.com ; www.wyclefjean.com / www.steelpulse.com / www.officialslyandrobbie.com / www.lauryn-hill.com / www.seankingston.com /www.katchafire.co.nz / www.solarosa.com / www.myspace.com/ivalamkum / www.houseofshem.com / www.myspace.com/sweetandirie /

ENDS