Saturday, 09 December 2006
(Times Weekend)
Are you harbouring a dream of becoming a superstar and or can you sing to move hearts?Then start training your vocal cords, perfecting your lyrics and plan to audition for one of the most successful reality shows in television history in the world-Idols West Africa- to be premiered on M-Net in February.
Throughout January, a three-member panel will begin to scout for 1,500 people between the ages of 18 and 30 from 17 West African countries at four locations in two countries to compete for a prestigious international recording contract.
On January 6, the panel will start the search at the Ibru Victoria Gardens in Lagos, Nigeria, after which the train will move to Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria on January15.
It will be Ghana’s turn on January 20 at the Aviation Social Centre in Accra and then end at the Cultural Centre in Calabar,Nigeria on January 26.
All "wanna be stars" who will flock the auditioning centres would be required to perform a song from a wide array of music, including traditional, western, English, African, pop, reggae, R&B, and rock.
However, those who will be selected at the auditioning stage into the theatre group and top ten stages will be required to sing pop as the show is looking for a pop star.
"The contestants must choose their songs wisely," said Joseph Hundah, Operations Director of M-Net Africa at the launch of the show in Accra on Tuesday.
He noted that the auditioning stage would be very "demanding" since the contestants would have to bring out their best in order to be selected for the next stage of the competition, adding "the show embraces Africa’s lasting love-affair with music."
He added "Wherever you go in West Africa, there are songs in the air, voices in harmony, a radio humming, a rhythm being celebrated. That’s what Idols is about."
Mr.Hundah said that the excitement factor of the Idols West Africa would increase in the weeks ahead when the names of the presenters for the show and the judges are announced early next year.
"This rich continent has massive potential. The key to our success will lie in understanding continental diversity and appreciating cultural differences."
He said that M-Net would consider signing a deal with a local television station which will have the right to broadcast the event for non DSTv subscribers.
Like every television reality show, the public will not be left out as they would be the judges to decide who qualifies for which stage through text messaging. The role of the judges would only be in shaping the contestants to bring out their best.
In the United States, "American Idol" has now become one of the biggest shows in television history, and was the number one show in that country last year. In South Africa, the "South African Idol" has reportedly also caught up well with the public.
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