THE RACE IS ON! MEET THE TOP 12 NIGERIAN IDOL SEASON 4 CONTESTANTS

After visiting 5 cities and several months of nerve-wrecking auditions and thousands of Nigerians giving their all to be on Africa’s No 1 music talent show, Nigerian Idol is officially down to the final 12 contestants.

Belting it all out for the unique opportunity to emerge as the winner of the fourth season of the show and also walk away with a series of mouth-watering prizes are 12 of Nigeria’s vocally talented youths.

One of these 12 will be crowned the 4^th Nigerian Idol joining Yeka, Mercy and Moses in the league of winners and also walk away with the whooping sum of N7.5 million, a recording deal from Universal studios, a brand new SUV and numerous consolation prizes

1.     ZIBILI EVELYN IBHADE (EVELLE)

A relentless fighter and die-hard fan of Beyoncé, Evelle is a soulful singer that takes her motivation from God and past experiences.  Though her journey in the competition hasn’t been easy, she believes that giving nothing but the best will take her to the top.

2.    ESE IDOWU (NEX2)

Nex2 is an easy-going, goal- focused student from Edo State, who wants to use his gift and love for music to enrich Nigeria and the sphere of music in general. He draws his musical inspiration from R.Kelly and Rueben Studdard.

3.    LISA STEPHNEY OMOROEGBE (LISA)

The jovial, fun-loving lady is a vocal powerhouse from the ancient city of Benin. Inspired by Bruno Mars and Keyshia Cole, Lisa believes that winning Nigerian Idol will help her fulfil her endless goals and aspirations in the music world.

4.    PAUL ENOMA (XOLANI)

A graduate of Computer Science and Statistics from the University of Benin, Xolani is one contestant with sound musical roots. With a background from the church, he hopes to abide by the rules of the Idol game and add some spice of originality to succeed.

5.    OGECHUKWU OKAFOR (MS. OGE)

The biochemistry graduate loves her job, but has a greater love for music. She buries herself in good movies once in a while, but never fails to couple it with melodies from Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Micheal Jackson, Rihanna and Alicia Keys.

6.    BLESSING BASSEY (BEEBEE BASSEY)

From a Christian background, Beebee has been able to merge both contemporary and gospel songs to fit perfectly in the music industry. Her strategy is to capture the hearts of viewers every week by being creative and entertaining.

7.    ELVIS EJIRO (ELVIS JAY)

The 22-year old student of Benin, studying Industrial Physics started as an instrumentalist before joining the choir. Elvis, who is a member of a band back home, believes that his ability to watch, learn and add his own creativity will single him out in the competition.

8.    ANTHONY AKPAN (ANTWON)

A familiar face from previous seasons of the competition, Antwon is a charming fellow that belts out excellent notes in addition to his smooth dance moves. Having striking resemblance with Usher Raymond, Antwon also takes mentorship from the RnB legend.

9.    AHPOVIRI ESE NYERHOVOO (NYRO LOVE)

The very introverted Delta state indigene believes that she is the real deal that the Nigerian music industry needs to explode. She sees Nigerian Idol as a youthful, energetic and engaging platform that will launch her into a music career.

10.                  OBED NZUBECHUKWU OGBONNA (OBED)

The soft-spoken 26-year old graduate is a lover of social networking, but sees Nigerian Idol has the platform to project himself to the world. He hopes to do his utmost best throughout the competition, leaving the rest to God to make way for him.

11.                  JESSE OKONKOWO (JESSE RAEY)

The 25-year old diploma graduate is driven by his love and passion for Nigerian music. Influenced by Craig David and Brandy, Jesse believes that there is enough space at the top for great musicians to be born out of Nigeria.

12.                  ODUGBEMI IDOWU SARAH (EYE-D)

A graduate of agricultural science, Eye-D loves to sing and her love for music was her inspiration to enter Nigerian Idol. With a voice that can move mountains, Eye-D believes that she has unique vocal prowess to shake and mould the music industry.

Catch exciting performances as Nigerian Idol airs on NTA, STV, HIP TV, CRBC CALABAR, DRTV WARRI and Various Startimes Channels on Saturday and Sunday’s.

Visit www.Nigerianidol.com for compelling back stories, juicy behind the scene news, and get a taste of what is coming. For the latest information, Like the Nigerian Idol Facebook page and follow @Nigerianidol on Twitter.

Nigerian Idol is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and Tantalizers.

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Nigeria's Got Talent' Debuts on AIT, Silverbird TV, Soundcity and HiTV UK

Forgive the viewers if they were spell-bound. The highly anticipated reality TV show ‘Nigeria’s Got Talent’  took display of talent to a whole new level when it hit the screen on Sunday, September 16, after touring through major cities in Nigeria searching for  the most talented Nigerians.

The show premiered and will air weekly on Silverbird TV (6pm), TVC (9pm), AIT (10: 30 pm), Soundcity (DSTV, 6:30pm) and for viewers in the United Kingdom, HITV (8pm).

The show took a thrilling twist as 11-year-old Toke Salami who was accompanied by her family members to the Ibadan auditions put up a heartfelt performance of a gospel song. Nathaniel wowed the crowd using his whole body, especially his mouth to produce a full range of beats, and the Ayan Agalu Cultural Group were also not left behind in the era of approval for the semi final stage, after showcasing their talent which involved passing messages across with the use of the talking drum.

Some contestants were moved to the next round of the show but sadly, some like Stephen Faunwei; whose magic trick turned ordinary paper to a thousand naira - and the Ever Blazer group did not please the judges.

The talent train made a stop at Port Harcourt, performers including the ‘Padlock Display’ by a man that calls himself, ‘Hero of Africa’ who hung padlocks on his eye lids. Just in case he hadn't left both audience and judges worried enough, he capped it up by inserting 4 inch nails into his nostrils. He was sent packing alongside a 24-year-old man who showcased what can only be described as a semi-dance (he called it modelling, however). Thankfully, another 24 year old, Marilyn Ogechi redeemed the garden city by showcasing a unique talent of playing the saxophone with her hands. She got a go ahead from the judges to the semi final round.
 
"There are reality shows and then there are reality shows," said the Project Manager, Adaora Mbelu. "The hilarity of some performances aside, in a country where there is an emphasis on lack of opportunities, it warmed the heart to see a wide range of enthusiastic, excellent performers, far beyond music. This is such an amazing country with truly talented people."

The Airtel sponsored show will air on TV stations across the country from September to December 2012. The Got Talent franchise worldwide, which is in its sixth year, has produced many notable performers in the last couple of years including Diversity, Bianca Ryan and Britain’s Got Talent’s 2009 1st runner up Susan Boyle, whose debut album became the fastest selling UK debut album of all time, selling over 3 million copies in the U.S.

Nigeria’s Got Talent is sponsored by Airtel and supported by Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Nigeria Info 99.3 FM and Tasty Fried Chicken.

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PHOTOS FROM THE AY LIVE COMEDY SHOW

The AY Live Comedy show took place on Easter Sunday. The show featured several celebrities like Jay Jay Okocha, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Chidi mokeme, Funke Akindele, Ramsey Noah and Jackie Appiah. Here are some of the pictures from the event.

(Click on images to make them bigger)

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