Nigerian Music Nigeria – Naija Sings 2

Source: CHUKS NWANNE, Guardian, 31 JULY 2010

Though audition began in Lagos, the top 10 regional finals for the Lagos region will not hold until September 9, a few days to the semi-final on September 13, and the commencement of the competition proper. In all the venues where Naija Sings has auditioned contestants, hopefuls trooped out in their hundreds to slug it out among themselves for one of the top ten places in the finals of the second season. Given the high standard set last year during season one, audience are expectant that participants of season two must come as total package, possibly without blemish in voice quality, voice texture, diction, delivery and looks. The first season had all those qualities but people want to see more.

In season one, 18-year-old Jon Ogar, who began his journey to Naija Sings’ super stardom in Abuja, led thousands of promising young men and women to clinch the ultimate prize of 100,000 US Dollars. He also won for himself a recording contract with Storm 360, M-Net’s partner on the show alongside Nevermachine. Jon’s single, ‘Gbedu’, has already hit the airwaves, with hope rising that this young talented winner of Naija Sings’ premier edition will thrill his fans for many years to come. Jon, we are told, is now in the United States for his university education ahead of a brilliant career in the music world.

Naija Sings season one was not only about Jon. There were several other talented youths on set who thrilled fans weeks after weeks with their beautiful voices, smooth renditions of the lyrics of songs they chose to perform in tandem with the themes. There were Tamara, Tarila, Ovie, Danieluv, Riola, …., and the Angelic Voices, among countless others. Naija Sings is about promises, potentials and ability to deliver.

Hence, when the judges took off in their quest for a much more robust and entertaining second season of Naija Sings, arguably Nigerian biggest music talents-hunt reality show yet, which has gained acceptability with the Nigerian audience, they were looking for that spectacular singer who’s got the ‘whaoh’ factor, who has the extra qualities lacking in the several hundreds that thronged the venues of auditions. Such singers, two, three or more become semi-finalists and are offered a chance to be trained in Lagos ahead of the semi-final show, which comes up on September 13.

Auditions have been conducted in Lagos, Benin, Enugu and Port-Harcourt regions so far but it is only in Benin, Enugu and Port-Harcourt regions that semi-finalists have emerged. Lagos regional contest has been deferred to September 9.
Three outstanding contestants: Nneka James, Ubido Daniel and Moses Adigwe emerged semi-finalists from the Benin Region setting the ball rolling for an intriguing and tantalizing season two of Naija Sings.

Nneka James sang a Whitney Houston’s number, ‘I love you Lord’, which was adjudged good by the judges and the audience. Tosin Martins, Naija Sings 2 resident judge, thought she’s got potential and has the extraordinary vocal ability Naija Sings is looking for. It was not a surprise that she was voted one of the three semi-finalists from Benin.

Moses Adigwe sang ‘I could do worse cry’, to which the judges and audience echoed their approval. Djinee, another Nigerian music icon and guest judge at the Benin regional finals, said: “Moses, I think your voice texture was better than a lot of vocalists out there. But you have to watch your off-notes.” Two audience judges commented on Moses’ choice of song and the way he rendered it, and given the promise his talent offered, they would love to buy his records when they start coming.

Daniel Ubido, the third semi-finalist from Benin, sang ‘Paradise’ by Praise. Though Tosin Martins thought he sounded like a bad copy of a good idea, the other judges thought otherwise; so also the audience judges who said they love him, they love his voice, thought he was good and wanted to see more of him on the show. He sailed through, a decision the judges said was informed by the desire to give him another chance to prove his mettle at the semi-final stage.

With the successful kick-off of regional finals in Benin, M-Net’s production crew headed to Enugu, where they wrapped up the finals with three placements in the semi-finals. Peace Nwokolo, Clever Desire and Amaka Okafor gave stellar performances to justify the judges’ confidence in them. Their choice from the pack of talented Enugu top 10 was not such a difficult task. Once again, Martins described the Enugu top 3 semi-finalists as way above their peers in terms of voice quality, diction, delivery and looks.

Tosin Martins, at the close of the Enugu regional finals, said: “I am happy. I feel justified. Tonight, I saw promise, great potential. Enugu is splendid with talents, and no doubt, it’s been a good show.” Announcing the winners of the region, especially Peace Nwokolo,
adjudged to be the best singer among the Enugu top 10, Martins declared: “And God gave us Peace.”

Peace Nwokolo was exceptional. She sang with a very beautiful voice that captivated not only the judges but the audience as well. She sang Beyonce’s ‘His brown eyes’, for which she got great applause for her control, diction, great enunciation and excellent delivery of the lyrics.

Patrick Imohiosen, disc jockey and Tobechukwu Ejim, a musician, the two other judges at the Enugu regional finals, agreeing with Martins, said Peace could be the one Naija Sings is looking for. “Nice choice of music, which brought out the potential in you. Keep it up!” The audience judges said Peace had made them proud, and wanted her to sustain the tempo.

Clever Desire won the heart of the judges and the audience with Lionel Richie’s number, ‘Angel’. Tosin Martins said he was a very clever singer. “You are a very clever singer. You have your diction spot on.” He advised him to work on his vocal ability. For Imohiosen, Clever made a nice choice of music while Ejim scored him good and added that he was in control of the song, handled it perfectly and ended it nicely. Audience too lauded him and urged him to go ahead showcasing his talent to the world using Naija Sings’ platform.

Amaka Okafor was the first of the Enugu top 10 to sing at the regional finals. She sang Rihanna’s ‘Unfaithful’, which Tosin Martins felt was fair enough given the way she handled it. “Being the first on stage tonight, I know it’s difficult. But you made it through and I’m proud of you,” Martins said to her. Tobechukwu Ejim loved her voice and said she’s got everything Naija Sings is looking for: “You have a good voice texture, you’re beautiful, you have everything. Keep it up!” he commended.

The story in Port-Harcourt was not different in terms of quality and talents, what was different was the twist the regional finals produced on Sunday, July 25, as the judges battled to streamline the number of contestants who they thought had all the desired qualities to be on the show to a manageable size of two or three. At the close of business, six of the Port-Harcourt top ten in the regional finals were tied. The trio of Tosin Martins, General Pype, reggae/dancehall act as well as Olusope Adamo of Cool FM Port-Harcourt, all judges at Naija Sings 2 Port-Harcourt finals had a challenge picking those who had excelled more than the others.

Finally, they settled for four: Boma Tolofari, Daniel Ebitonmor, El-David Esther Najite and Tega Apochi. Beaming with excitement,
Martins announced to the pensive Port-Harcourt audience: “Heated! Whaoh! This is probably the toughest. It’s a keen battle. For the first time, four contestants made it through to the semi-final in Lagos. They’ve got the extra. We got top six and had to do a lot to prune the number to four.” He added that dynamism, strength, passion and strong voice gave it to the Port-Harcourt top 4.

Nigerian Music Nigeria Jon Ogah, Naija Sings