Keri Hilson to mentor raw Malawian talent: Airtel TRACE Music Star returns
Malawi’s finalist in this year’s Airtel TRACE Music Star (ATMS) will be mentored by American R&B superstar Keri Hilson who has taken over from last season’s mentor Akon.
One winner from Malawi will join finalists from DRC, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, and Niger which is the newest territory to enter Season 2 of the biggest pan-African talent search competition.
The ultimate country representatives will have the privilege to be mentored by the multi-award winning singer-songwriter who goes on the hunt for Africa’s next music star from February 1.
“The best singing talent in each territory will be identified, rewarded and put in competition to run for the title of best African music talent.
“The grand prize comprises a mentorship program with Keri Hilson in Atlanta. The winner will not only star in their own music video alongside Keri Hilson; he/she will get an opportunity to record a duet with the “Knock You Down” songstress,” reveals TRACE Group in a statement .
The winner will also receive a signed contract with a major music label and worldwide media exposure through various TRACE’s platforms. The grand finale will be held in Lagos, Nigeria in second quarter of 2016.
To participate, contestants will need to call in a short code number with their mobile phones, record their songs to stand a chance to become the next big music star in Africa.
TRACE Malawi country manager, Annie Chisala, in an interview that “the code number will be made available soon, we urge everyone to watch the space as events unfold.”
With 2.3 million calls made last season, the ATMS talent search is the biggest music competition to ever take place in Africa. The number of contestants surpassed European and American talent shows such as “The Voice” and “Idols”.
The mobile phone based ATMS talent search contest also won the “Best Pan-African Initiative” accolade at the prestigious AfricaCom Awards held in Capetown, South Africa.
Last year, Tanzanian Mayunga Nalimi won a record deal as well as promotion for a total value exceeding $500,000 and a mentorship programme with Akon. His first track “Nice Couple” reached number 1 on all major radio and TV charts in his home country.
A few months ago, Mayunga was in Los Angeles with Akon to record his second single “Please Don’t Go Away” and shoot the music video.
Malawi’s finalist in the Airtel TRACE Music Star 2015, Sam Mjura, finished in the Top 6 of the competition in Kenya.
TRACE is a leading urban and black entertainment group with activities in 180 countries. It is a signature hub for black and urban entertainment content and offers TV channels, FM radios, mobile services, events etc. to millennial and young adult audiences.
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the only problem with Malawi is that, only those people who are already famous and well to do,are the ones that appears on the top ten list!! the question is, are we, the poor people, not deserving it? this time, we want to see someone from the village, being included in the top ten list of successful artists or even making it to the top… we want a change!!!