LAST weekend, the Sensational 6, as the contestants left in the battle for N5million are called, put up an exciting show, doing what could be termed collaboration with six of Nigeria’s top hip hop artistes, including Wizkid, Iyanya, KCEE, Praiz, Tiwa Savage and Chidinma.
Increasing the stake from N2.5million has heightened the determination of the contestants, while ardent followers of the show have agreed that the performances form the best compilation of the brightest super-stars, on any musical reality show, in the West African sub-region.
The six artistes who had taken out time, three weeks earlier, to visit and model the contestants, went a step further, this time around, to afford the remaining six contestants, in the academy, the honour of performing side-by-side with them.
The ebullient Niniola did collaboration with KCEE. Looking perfectly matched, the two performed ‘Limpopo’ to the admiration of the audience. Next were Margaret and Iyanya. Both of them had a find evening doing the song ‘Sexy Mama’. Tiwa Savage and Olawale were the cynosure of all eyes.
Aside the extraordinary talent of Tiwa Savage, Olawale has been labeled a ‘super-star-in-embryo’ going by his recent performance in the academy. They gave a rousing performance that further improved the rating of Tiwa’s songs, ‘Love Me’ and ‘Iminado’.
Omolayo, Immaculate and Rowland performed alongside Wizkid, Praiz and Chidinma respectively. They were all remarkable collaboration by all standards.
Speaking to Praise Adejo, popularly called ‘Praiz’, one of the artistes who performed at the show, agreed that the six contestants ‘did not disappoint and they made each song sound better’.
The performances came after each of the contestants had taken turn to perform songs written by them. Whereas the judges attested to the fact that most of the six contestants showed evidence that they were new to song writing, they also admitted that it would be unjust to criticize personal compositions. According to Bibie Brew, a Ghanaian music legend, ‘every original composition deserves appreciation because it takes a big effort to write a song’.
Meanwhile none of the contestants fall below expectations. Niniola was as original and believable as every other contestant that performed after her. She titled her song ‘Itura’. Margaret’s song was titled ‘Awanna Easy’ a song that Ben Ogbeiwi, the academy’s Director of Music, said is a potential club hit in Nigeria.
Olawale, Omolayo, Immaculate and Rowland also delivered remarkable performances. Olawale’s song was titled ‘Wale’, a combination of soul, R and B and pop. Omolayo was classical. The youngman had one of the best compositions and arrangements. Immaculate did well, too, with her song, ‘Sugar La La’. Rowland gave an obviously inspirational rendition. His song, titled ‘Ko Le Daru’, was gospel.
The performances have been termed exhilarating, exciting and fun by the audience who have made the show their best past time since inception, in August. The student population was more enthralled. They cherished the idea of having some of the best hip hop artistes perform alongside the contestants. Oyindamola, a student of Yaba College of Technology said, ‘the idea is just perfect and the best ever on any reality show in Nigeria’.
Meanwhile, the MTN Project Fame West Africa’s sixth edition will be rounding off tonight, as the contestants take to the stage, for the last time, amidst intrigues, suspense and excitement, at the unveiling of this season’s winner.
