The competition, predicted to introduce the next generation of talented Afrobeats musicians, will air for 10 weeks and an overall winner will be announced on June 2, 2024.
By Hope Ibiale
One of Nigeria’s top production companies, Ultima Studio, has announced the commencement of a new music reality show tagged “Next Afrobeats Star”. The competition, predicted to introduce the next generation of talented Afrobeats musicians, will air for 10 weeks and an overall winner will be announced on June 2, 2024. The show’s judges include Africa’s top music producers, Sarz, P.Prime, Andre Vibez, and Puffy T.
Next Afrobeats Star is a music talent show designed to showcase hidden Afrobeats gems across Africa, the United Kingdom, North America, and other Afrobeats communities. Competitors will be tasked with performing songs from the producers, and viewers will determine who stays. Of the 48 shortlisted participants, 24 will be selected. Subsequently, the list will be cut down to 12 finalists, from which an overall winner will be chosen.
While speaking at the show’s press conference/launch, Femi Ayeni, the CEO of Ultima Studios, stated, “Afrobeats is one of our biggest exports and it is bringing in lots of foreign exchange into the country through the music and creativity of the talents who work in the music creation value chain. Next Afrobeats Star is not just a show; it’s a movement to propel the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats onto the global stage. The tagline – Dream, Compete, Soar – encapsulates the essence of Next Afrobeats Star – a platform where dreams are nurtured, competition is fierce, and aspiring musicians take flight toward international acclaim”.
He further said that the music competition would empower music creatives and enable the dispensation of wealth in the music industry. The show’s theme song, “I am the Next Afrobeats Star, I represent the future” also debuted at the press conference.
The organisers of the anticipated competition also stated that every competitor will walk away with juicy prizes, while the winner will be awarded a recording contract, a brand new car, and a cash prize. Interested participants can register by texting NAS to 13013 from an MTN line to receive a unique code to access the registration portal and follow the instructions.