Dismay at Live8 concert lineup

A bold plan by Irish rocker-turned-activist Bob Geldof for multi-city concerts to combat poverty in Africa ran into flak when it emerged how few black artists are involved.

None of the headliners for the centrepiece Live8: The Long Walk to Justice concert at Hyde Park in London on July 2 is black, let alone African.

It's a bit better elsewhere, with Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour and British soulman Craig David on the bill in Paris, Lauryn Hill in Berlin, and rapper 50 Cent and Stevie Wonder in Philadelphia.

"It's disappointing, to say the least," said Justin Onyeka, entertainment editor of New Nation, a weekly newspaper in London that serves Britain's black community.

"I would have thought they had learned from 20 years ago [when Live8's celebrated predecessor Live Aid was held] when most black people on stage were backing singers."