Queen, Annie Lennox Likely Performers at Mandela Birthday Bash

Also known as Madiba.

If anyone deserves a birthday concert performed by music royalty, that person would be Nelson Mandela. The former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who spent almost 30 years in prison because of his anti-apartheid activism, turns 90 on July 18.

Before that special Cancerian day, Mandela will be recognized with a massive concert at Hyde Park in London, where Will and Jada Pinkett Smith will host, and the queerish likes of Queen, Annie Lennox and the Spice Girls have reportedly been approached to perform, along with straigther sensibilities like U2, Paul McCartney and ... Eminem!?!

Get more details on the Mandela concert after the jump!

Slim Shady, who may or may not have retired, has been known to file his fair share of offensive remarks. But again, if anyone other than Sir Elton John can inspire his Royal Mouthiness to change, that person would probably be Mandela, the gifted peacemaker.

Rumors still abound concering the full line-up of artists, who presumably reflect Mandela's music tastes. Look for a solid list sometime soon.

True to his nature, the concert for Mandela really intends not to celebrate him, but to raise awareness about the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Like similar events since 2003, it is being organized by 46664, his campaign against AIDS named for the prison number he wore on Robben Island, off Capetown in South Africa.

Register here to become eligible to buy tickets once they are available. Sound too involved? Well, as they've been saying in America lately, change won't come easy.