By Efe Omorogbe
Made-for-television music talent shows in Nigeria are getting bigger and better each year. The production quality has significantly improved across the board, and the audience has indicated its approval by tuning in, staying glued and participating enthusiastically.
While these shows serve the business needs of the various production companies and sponsors, they also present precious platforms for thousands of budding talents to find expression – and possibly, fame and fortune. Even for those who aren’t good (or lucky) enough to win, the experience and exposure earned remain forever invaluable. I therefore elect to give kudos to all those involved in the production of quality talent shows in Nigeria – StarQuest, MTN Project Fame, Glo Naija Sings, Peak Talent Show and Nigerian Idol. The NEED to be heard and seen is the most fundamental need of any artiste.
If you work in the music industry as a label exec, talent manager, music producer or event promoter of any kind of significance, you’ll be familiar with the crippling weight of the burden one can be subjected by artistes who just want you to listen to their demos or watch their videos. One of my guys at Now Muzik used to joke that anytime we needed to raise a million naira, we should just put out word that we are looking to sign new talent, and one hundred interested artistes would readily pay ten thousand naira for application forms to be considered. Dishonorable and exploitative? Yes, I think so too!
It is such DIRE hunger for self-expression that these talent shows assuage, and this is why they are all so important. Pay no attention to Olamide’s jibe (‘Molenu molenu molenu dakuest …/ Kini mofe lo se ni StarQuest…/ I’m from the project and I gat fame/ Tell me why the ‘F’ I gat go dey fill form for Project Fame’) on the hit song, Eni Duro. Dude was probably just rhyming, and didn’t mean any disrespect. Nonetheless, it is safe to assume that before he scored a hit, he probably didn’t have the pleasure of enjoying a N500, 000 cash prize, brand new luxury ride, free top quality accommodation for a year in LAGOS (this is a big deal, guys, some struggling artistes lived under far less comfortable conditions when they came to Lagos and a greater percentage never really struck gold in the showbiz capital) or a multi-million naira recording contract under some of the country’s leading labels.
I have worked as a judge on StarQuest and Project Fame at the regional auditions and had mentoring sessions with finalists a couple of times. I have seen the fire in the eyes of these guys, ignited by the chance to get out there and showcase their talent. I have seen timid colourless contestants transformed into confident consummate performers in the course of a season, and I’m happy with the post competition results. Yes indeed, I am.
(To be continued)
23 comments
I concur and was thinking the same thing last week. The exposure of these artists will only get better as the show organizer continue to gain more experience and try their best to expose the artists and performances to audiences on as many platforms as possible. Looking forward to Part 2…
I credit al d organizer’s of diz TALENT SHOWZ, 4 dt iz d only avenu we d upcmin artist cn shocase our talent nd gain exposure. 9z piece, keep it up.
i really love dis i cn’t wait to get there.
i want to participate…how can i register???
I want a role mdel and a mentor to the world not just a musical star. That’s my dream as an artist.
This is a very good opportunity for people to use and show there talents an reward them for doing so…this would also entertain the people who watch it.but awareness has to be created for people to know about it and participate
i really want 2 showcase wat hav got,pls alert me 2 register 4 my act.thanx efe 4 drawin a new platform.08069167848
I’m so glad u made dz page, i neva knew dat sm pple notice hw much we(artiste)wants to bring out d spark n us….i hope 2 show 9ja wot i’ve got sumday….cheers
hm hahahahahaha am on fire naja cnt off me jst let d game on jo
i love to participate,how do i get enrolled into the talent hunt show
Dis tyt..bt dere’s one tin i noticd in talent shows…they dont give way 4 rappers xpecially indigeneous ones….hp dis wuld b solvd?
Tnx 4 showin us dt we r nt alone,i wnt 2 show nigeria wot i cn do,am hapi u made ds coment,remain blessed
Plz i’m an upcoming artist, searching 4 lebel. If u’re interested in signing me cal dis no. 07069166391. I promise 2 make u proud if help me 2 showcase my talent 2 the world. U wil not regret it at all.
Cool is just a plattform for we unknown artiste and i cant wait to be there. I Have believe myself
When is the show coming up
I just want 2 know about upcoming talent shows when thier auditions and form sales are starting
Pls i wld lyke 2 participate for d peak talent hunt 2o12
wen is peak talent show,startn 4 dis year,pls u guys should let me know
Those looking for the peak talent show season four audition dates .. please post it when u get it
i cn wait my dream 2 cm 2ru,wen is it startn pls u guys shuld,alert me
Am a musician that need surport n i dont mind competing for it god help me but when is peak for 2012
tnx very much,plss i will really lyk 2 knoe wen d next peak talent hunt,star quest and najia glo sings is going 2 come up
am an upcoming artist i sing r.n.b,hip_hop n dancehall