THE deficiency of voting pattern in reality shows reared its face again when two favourites of the judges and studio audience were technically thrown out at the early stage of the ongoing Glo X Factor music competition.
Sonorous singer, Vicky and vocal potpourri group, SmoothBoiz were tipped for eviction for recording the lowest number of votes from the Nigerian and Ghanaian publics, save for the veto power of legendary musician Onyeka Onwenu, rap star, Jude Abaga (MI) and Ghanaian hip-life artiste, Reggie Rockstone who are judges in the competition.
The intrigue brings to mind, the fate of Vickiola, a singer with great prospect, but who was kicked out of the Glo Naija Sings competition as first evictee, some years back. Viewers who thought she probably did better than one or two participants did not feel were not comfortable with her early exit. Even some judges of the competition who saw the prospect in the lady couldn’t do anything to keep her in the house. Perhaps, that experience is the improvement that has given Vicky and SmoothBoiz a second chance.
The Dream Studio on Bamako Street, Ogba, Lagos was filled to capacity. Excited, fans of the contestants yelled with great hope for their singers of choice. They could have guessed who will be going home, judging by the artistes’ previous renditions. But when representative of renowned auditors, Alexander Forbes handed the result to show host, Tools who announced: “the two acts at the bottom having secured the least votes are… Vicky and SmoothBoiz.” A palpable silence engulfed the crowd. The judges too, were dumbfounded. And then there was an outburst of disagreement.
Vicky and SmoothBoiz were among the contestants that not only performed brilliantly during the previous show, but were also honoured with standing ovation after their performances. “I am so shocked, I am surprised, but it is all good,” Vicky said, fighting back tears.
And coming from Victor of SmoothBoiz: “I can’t explain what happened, I am really surprised.”
But there was ray of hope for the two, even as Tools proceeded to usher the rest of the contestants; Eshum, Pheel, Ankara Boi, Princess Pat, DJ Switch, Symphony and DNA out of the stage for a return show.
Both acts were made to sing for survival so that the judges could determine which of the two would go home. Again, the two dazzled the crowd with superlative performances, ascertaining their musical ingenuity.
Commenting on their performances, Reggie Rockstone spoke about his mentees, SmoothBoiz: “First of all, I want to thank God for two of you. You both have brought it on. Now, it is really a hard one for me to make this decision. SmoothBoiz are my boys and I am extremely proud of their performance. Vicky I love you. And I say Vicky you are not going home.” In his characteristic style, Reggie tries to be objective, in spite of the desire to support the artistes in his custody. Obviously, the Ghanaian star won the heart of the audience who gave him a resounding applause.
“I don’t know what happened,” began Onyeka Onwenu… “Why the two of you are here in the bottom two. Both acts are exceptionally good. I know West Africans don’t want Vicky out of this competition, so I ask all of you here and those watching at home to put your vote where your mouth is,” she stated. And to SmoothBoiz, she said, “SmoothBoiz, you are smooth. I believe West Africans don’t want you to go home either. So I am not going to vote for anybody to go home. The two should remain the in the competition.”
Perhaps for the first time in the competition, MI tends to agree with Onyeka: “I don’t understand what happened. I don’t know why the two acts made the bottom two. From the reaction of the crowd, it is obvious they don’t want the two to go. I am going with Onyeka. I think both deserve to be in the competition. I am not voting,” the rapper declared.
And when the organizers decided that the two artistes should remain in the show, their fans jumped for joy.
How did Vick feel being spared? “I thank God, the judges and my fans for keeping me in the competition. On my part, I will give my best and pray that people’s hearts will be touched to vote for me.”
Victor, the leader of the SmoothBoiz spoke for the group a second time: “We are very excited the way things turned around for our good. Even though we thought we gave our best last week and didn’t expect to be in the bottom two, we are glad we have come this far. To make Top 9 out of several thousands of people that came for the auditions is quite some achievement. The Glo X Factor platform has indeed made us explode.”
As if to sing for the joyous resolution, visiting artiste, Burna Boy got on the stage, singing his hit song “Tonight”. The fast-rising music act and Glo ambassador set the tone for the evening of the Result Show with a spectacular performance that thrilled the audience.
But just before he dropped the microphone, he shared his thought with the contestants: “One key thing I say to them is: be yourself. At the end of the day, that is what matters. No one can be you better than yourself. Nobody should tell you how to be you. This is what has worked for me.”
And to the voting public, Onyeka and MI bared their mind. According to Onyeka; “People should not take it for granted that a good contestant will always get by; they should not leave anything to chance. They have to put their votes where their mouths are. If a contestant is the best of the lot but is unable to garner votes, they will exit the competition. I am asking people to vote and keep voting.”
MI noted with surprise that the reaction of the audience when the result was announced showed they did not want Vicky and SmoothBoiz to exit the competition: “So, how come this did not reflect in the voting pattern?” He asked. “The explanation is that people are not voting enough for their favourite singers. You have to vote for the act you want to remain in the competition,” he said.
