The ninth episode of the Tecno Own the Stage Karaoke Contest held on Sunday 10 January. Of the original fifteen contestants that started the competition, six contestants were on ground to battle for the twenty thousand five thousand dollar prize money. As host Vimbai Mutinhiri put it, the contestants were expected to battle in a novel way; in groups of two, both would sing the same song, one after the other, and in each other’s presence. Judge MI hit the nail on the head when he evinced his expectations from contestants, “We expect great performances, singing on key, and getting the lyrics right; as it’s a Karaoke contest.”
Tanzanian Nandy, and Mary from Kenya performed Omawumi’s Bottom Belle. Nandy gave a danceable rendition of the song, unfortunately forgetting her lines halfway through the song though she managed to redeem herself later on. Mary’s performance was more soulful, and sassy, although she also missed some of her lines singing the chorus. Could it have been because both do not understand Nigerian Pidgin English? At the end, the judges unanimously decided that it was a draw, as MI put it, “I think for me that you guys had the same performance, the same mistakes, but the same fight to come back”.
The next bout had Shapeera from Nigeria, and Pascal from Kenya performing Nico Evince’s Am I Wrong? Pascal gave a good account of himself with his charismatic rendition of the song, and had the judges and audience on their feet in tune with his performance. And as Vimbai put it, “Pascal brought the house down with his performance.” Shapeera also did not disappoint, her adrenaline charged performance had the audience, and judges eating out of her hand, rocking to the beat. At the end, judge MI admitted that their performance looked like the final stage of the contest. Speaking further he opined, “They were so good that it would be hard to choose, as they both played to their strengths, and took it all the way. Although Shapeera was a point below Pascal because she didn’t quite get her lyrics perfectly. But if there is perfection in this show, I think you guys have it.”
The final bout had Sikin from Kenya, and Ramar 254 perform Patoranking’s Girly O. Sikin brought a ragga vibe to her performance; appropriately winding to the song. Ramar 234 also gave a good account of himself, with his swagger filled performance. As judge Yemi put it, “Ramar killed the song”. The judges agreed that it was a draw, although Sikin had an edge over Ramar because she got her lyrics on point.
The queen of the East herself; Victoria Kimani was on hand to show the contestants how it was done, performing her Sweet Chocolate andBooty Bounce as the opening and closing acts of the evening. At the end Mary was evicted from the contest, leaving the last five contestants standing; Shapeera, Ramar 254, Sikin, Pascal, and Nandy. Next episode, the contestants will be performing songs composed and performed by the judges.