The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AIRTEL TRACE

  • KERI HILSON, FALLY IPUPA, OTHERS STORM NIGERIA FOR ‘AIRTEL TRACE MUSIC STAR 2’

    AFRICA will come together today as the grand finale of Airtel Trace Music Star Season 2 holds at the Ultima Studios, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    The show which will be recorded for TV broadcast will see participants who emerged winners in their respective countries showcase their talents to renowned American vocalist and songwriter, Keri Hilson, Fally Ipupa, DRC singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist and Mr Shawn “Pecas” Costner of ROC Nation. All judges are expected to arrive Nigeria within the week. The finale, which promises to be captivating and exciting, will be attended by top executives from Airtel alongside senior directors from Trace Africa.

    According to the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmad Mokhles, the telco is passionate about creating platforms that delight, excite, entertain, engage and empower talented youth as well as telecoms consumers across the country.

    “The sponsorship of Airtel Trace Music Stars is yet another eloquent testimony of Airtel’s commitment to empowering young, talented Nigerians. As Nigeria’s smartphone network of choice, we are always excited to enter partnerships that connect the Nigerian youth to their dreams and we are very excited about the opportunities that TRACE presents,” Mokhles said.

    A total of 10 contestants representing Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia will compete in the grand finale of the biggest pan-African talent search contest.

    Nigeria’s representative, Ehieduonye Ezehike, a.k.a ‘Edu’, who emerged winner of N5 million courtesy of Airtel at the national finale held recently at Hard Rock Café in Lagos said he is ready to make the country proud.

    The grand prize comprises a mentorship program with multi-award winning American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson in Atlanta. The winner also gets an opportunity to record a duet with Keri as well as receive a signed contract with a major music label and worldwide media exposure through various TRACE’s platforms.

  • Edu emerges Nigeria winner of Airtel Trace Music Star Season 2

    Edu emerges Nigeria winner of Airtel Trace Music Star Season 2

    Ehienduonye Ezekiel ‘Edu’ last Wednesday emerged the winner of the national finale of Airtel trace music star season two which held at the Hard Rock Café, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Edu and the other finalists – Hannah Ogheneyole, Ife Ajayi, OnyinyeGinikanwa and AzigalobariMenegbo – thrilled the audience as they performed series of songs before the Judges, Phyno, Lara George and OlisaAdibua, could score and finally declare the winner in the competition.

    The first round saw the elimination Hannah and Ife, while three other contestants proceeded to the next round which required them to performed acappella. Azigal gave a tough challenge Edu at this round as Onyinye’s performance could not impress the judges.

    After series of performances by the five finalists the judges made their decision and Edu was announced as the winner by the Regional Operation Director, Airtel Nigeria, OladokunOye and carted home the five million naira prize.

    “I must confess that I never thought I could get this far,” said Edu.

    “A friend informed me about the competition and urged me to enter it. That is how I got to know. And I thank God, my parents and friends for supporting me this far. I look forward to making Nigeria proud at the Africa Finale.”

    By his win, Edu will represent Nigeria at the Africa finale scheduled to come up in June.

     

  • Jitey Peters recounts Airtel Trace Music Star experience

    Jitey Peters recounts Airtel Trace Music Star experience

    As the Airtel Trace Music Star wound down on Saturday, March 28, Tanzania-born Mayunga Andrew Nalimi was announced the winner, carting away the grand prize which includes a recording contract with Universal Music, a mentorship trip to the United States with American  music star, Akon, and a music video production; for a total value exceeding $500,000.

    The grand finale which took place in Kenya also had Nigeria’s Jite Peters emerge in 2nd position, and Congo’s Baz in 3rd position.

    At the Nigerian viewing party, which took place on April 18 at Vapors in Lagos, Nigeria’s winner and 1st runner up, Airtel Trace Music Star, Jitey Peters shared her experience, and expressed her joy at how the competition has changed her life.

    “I entered the competition to get an iPhone 6, but I ended up being the winner in Nigeria, and also competing at the finale. Airtel has helped create a star and I will forever be grateful to them,” she said.

    Peters added that she has been equipped for life and is ready to push her music career forward. “I am currently in the studios working on my music, which should be out soon. I know Airtel will be proud of the star they have created,” she added.

    Expatiating on the Airtel Trace Music Star, Trace Managing Director, Sam Onyemelukwe, at the viewing party said that the competition had over 2.3 million entries in Africa and 100,000 entries in Nigeria. 13 country winners competed in the grand finale at Kenya, and were judged by Akon; who doubled as the president of the jury, Devyne Stephens and French Caribbean singer, Lynnsha.

    Airtel Trace Music Star is a mobile singing competition that gives aspiring artists a chance to become stars.

  • AIRTEL TRACE MUSIC STAR: In search of ‘hidden’ singing talents

    ONE of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operators, Airtel Nigeria, in partnership with Trace, an international music video channel, on Wednesday, launched a new music competition tagged ‘Airtel Trace Music Star’, a mobile device song contest designed to empower Nigerian youths and create a robust platform for them to achieve their dreams of becoming superstars.

    The competition, which will take place in 15 African countries, is a mobile song contest which allows contestants to audition from their phones, with one national winner in each country, who will have the honour of performing at the Pan African music competition.

    Earlier, the organisers, at a media unveiling, had said that the contestants could participate by recording their songs with an Airtel line, using a short code, adding that they would be aided by an interactive forum in multi-lingual languages, including English and Pidgin.

    The Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa, said: “Airtel is delighted to be associated with Trace in bringing excitement and providing entertainment opportunities for our teeming customers, especially youths and the music lovers. This initiative is geared towards supporting and nurturing talents of Nigerian youths. In the next few weeks, we will unveil the biggest platform for Nigerians to express their singing talents through their mobile phones from the comfort of any location they choose.

    The Managing Director, Trace Anglophone Africa, Sam Onyemeluke, further stressed that “We are tremendously excited about this pan African partnership with Airtel. Trace is dedicated to African youths and this ground-breaking competition is a great step towards our joint goal of empowering African youth”.

    As a pan-African initiative, the Airtel Trace music competition is designed to hold simultaneously in other African countries, where Airtel operates. The winners from each participating country will then compete in a televised pan-African grand finale, where the African champion will win a trip to the USA to be mentored by megastar, Akon, for a period of two weeks, in addition to a professional music video and a record deal with Universal Music.

    International singer and music producer Akon, according to reports, has also announced that he is the new ambassador of the Airtel Trace Music Star, in a YouTube video.

    According to him, “You want to be in a position where you are one of the people they look for to be a part of projects like this; and you know I built my career from giving opportunities to others, so this was the perfect match. I’ve been more of a mentor and producer, while playing the role that I think is necessary to influence other kids to be a part of what we are doing and also be a part of giving other people opportunity.

    I think when you get to a certain level, you are a role model, whether you like it or not; it’s not choice anymore, it’s the life we chose and what we signed up for. I know some people want to distance themselves from being a role model, but once you become successful, you are a role model.”