Chatterbox: Ching along

EDGEFEST has gone all bling bling. Or should that be, kerching kerching?

US hip-hop-cum-R&B star Chingy will headline the annual four-date pop festival that's hosted by the Edge radio network in March.

However, Chingy, who plays in New Zealand for the first time, will only perform in Auckland and Hamilton and will forgo the Wellington and Christchurch shows.

The St Louis rapper's chart-friendly hip-hop has sold more than five million copies of his 2003 debut album Jackpot around the world. And his hit songs, like Right Thurr, Holidae In and One Call Away, well, they stayed in the New Zealand singles charts for longer than Eminem can hold his crotch.

Chingy's follow up album, PowerBallin', from last year, looks set to repeat the success of his debut.

Local headliners include Blindspott, who will debut their new material, including a single scheduled for release in March and a new album out later this year; Steriogram, who have been nominated for a Grammy; DJ and producer P-Money; and south Auckland rapper Savage, whose song Swing is number one on the singles charts. Savage's debut album, Moonshine, is out in March.

Also on the bill are hip-hop wise guys Fastcrew, pop-punks 48 May, hip-hop heavyweight Dei Hamo, and everyone's favourites, the feelers. More will be announced in the next few weeks.

EdgeFest 05dates are Auckland, Supertop, Ericsson Stadium, March 12; Hamilton, Mystery Creek, March 13; Wellington, Events Centre, March 18; and Christchurch, Westpac Centre, March 19.

Meanwhile, Che Fu makes a welcome return to the stage at Jam in the Park on Monday's Auckland Anniversary Day.

The free concert, put on by the Edge Auckland, runs from 2pm-6pm at Coyle Park, Pt Chevalier. Others on the bill include Fast Crew, 48 May, Goodnight Nurse, and DJ Logikal plus there's a breakdancing stage and more.