Idols West Africa Comes To Nigeria

One could say that the ink has barely dried on M-NET’s SURVIVOR AFRICA winner cheque but in typical fast and forward fashion, the channel is moving on.

Not willing to waste a moment, the African television company has announced that it is to create and screen a West African version of what is arguably the world’s biggest reality show. So get ready to hit those high notes…IDOLS WEST AFRICA has arrived!

December 1 has been a milestone day for M-NET in Africa for some time. In 2003, the company launched the popular AfricaMagic on the day and last year, it launched the massive Big Brother Nigeria. So it’s fitting that IDOLS WEST AFRICA launched on December 1 this year. And now the search begins for a solo singing sensation who will win a prestigious recording contract!

So do you think you can sing like a superstar? Have you ever dreamed about having a hit No. 1 music record? Do you aspire to fans, fame and fortune with a microphone in one hand and a record deal in the other? Do you secretly believe your shower solos are just a practice run for the spotlight?

If you answered yes to any of these questions OR if you know anyone who’d answer yes OR if you just want to be part of the IDOLS magic, then read on and start singing!

IDOLS WEST AFRICA is open to any person between the ages of 18 and 30 (as at 1 January 2007), who are residents of the West African countries of - Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Four auditions will be held for IDOLS WEST AFRICA and West African entrants should note that these auditions will be held at the following venues – on January 6 in Lagos (The Ibru Victoria Gardens), on January 15 in Abuja (Sheraton Hotel), on January 20 in Accra (venue to be confirmed) and on January 26 in Calabar (Cultural Centre). These are audition registration days and entrants may be asked to return for an audition in the days that follow. However failure to register for auditions on the given dates means no later entry will be allowed.

Further would-be entrants should not have an existing recording contract of any kind.

During the audition phase, entrants can sing from a wide spectrum of music including Traditional, Western, English, Nigerian, African, Pop, Reggae, R’nB and rock, though Idols entrants should be aware that the show is looking for a pop star. If a contestant is selected to proceed into the Theatre, Group and Top Ten phases, they must be able to sing in Pop, African and Western, including English language songs.

Anyone who meets these criteria can attend open auditions at one of four venues and are advised to arrive at the venue early because auditions operate on a “first come, first seen” basis with the first 1500 entrants guaranteed an audition. Also make sure to bring an identity document or passport with you to the audition to verify your details.

Importantly, contestants should remember that they get one chance to perform, one chance to make an impression, one chance to succeed!

IDOLS WEST AFRICA is being produced for M-Net by Nigeria’s own Pan African Entertainment and the internationally renowned Fremantle Media who first originated the IDOLS concept.

A firm believer in IDOLS WEST AFRICA, M-Net Operations Director for sub-Saharan Africa Joseph Hundah says the show embraces Africa’s lasting love-affair with music.

“Wherever you go in West Africa, there are songs in the air, voices in harmony, a radio humming, a rhythm being celebrated. That’s what IDOLS is about. Singing, moving, feeling! With West Africa offering large television audiences to M-Net, it’s fitting that we create an IDOLS here.”

Meanwhile the excitement factor of IDOLS WEST AFRICA is set to increase in the weeks ahead as M-NET will reveal the names of show’s presenter and all-important judges early next year. For now though, wannabe stars should concentrate on perfecting their lyrics, nurturing their vocal cords and planning their audition fashion!

Plus for more information on the show, simply log on to the website www.mnetafrica.com for all the rules, terms of entry and answers to the most frequent IDOLS related questions!

IDOLS WEST AFRICA is set to premiere to DStv viewers on M-Net in February next year.
One of the most successful reality TV formats in the world, local versions of Idols have now aired in over 100 territories. In the USA, Idols is the No.1 series with an audience of 34 million viewers. And the global number of votes for Idols has now exceeded two billion!

In South Africa, Heinz Winkler, Anke Pietrangeli and Karin Kortjé won the three successful local editions of IDOLS while British hero Will Young won national attention across the UK when he swept the title there. In America, the show launched the stellar careers of Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood and most recently Taylor Hicks. Clarkson went on to win two Grammy Awards this year for her second album.

I dont think it would be as popular as American Idol.

How would people send in thier votes from other african countries?

There would be alot of irregularities with the show.

reh

I was avoiding this shizzle in the front page thinking it is some voodoo shango thingy lol

why dont they just do African Idol or something like dat na by force idol west africa

LoverBwoy:

reh

I was avoiding this shizzle in the front page thinking it is some voodoo shango thingy lol

why don't they just do African Idol or something like that na by force idol west africa

Africa is too big for African Idol. Idol West Africa narrows the searchlight, they could have included Cameroon though. How are Francophones supposed to do this when they're required to sing in English?

Isn't Nigeria large enough to have her own idol competition? I think so.

LoverBwoy:

reh

I was avoiding this shizzle in the front page thinking it is some voodoo shango thingy lol

why don't they just do African Idol or something like that na by force idol west africa

i thot the same oh, u better edit the topic,lol

All this reality tv programmes sef, they are out to wipe out educative tv programmes

All this reality tv programmes sef, they are out to wipe out educative tv programmes

There is room for everyone

Every country should do their own idol then

I saw some bits of the star quest it was awful!

Donzman:

Africa is too big for African Idol. Idol West Africa narrows the searchlight, they could have included Cameroon though. How are Francophones supposed to do this when they're required to sing in English?

I agree with you. I think it should be Nigrian Idol. But like isaid it would not be a hit show like American Idol.

Another copy-cat project.

cant Nigerians be orginal in-thinking and pioneer in innovations?

Actually the original producer of American Idol is one of the produer for the West African Idol.

do you know who the original producer of american idol is?

hi
y are u all critizising d idol west africa. u can be fair that naija cant make there own
europe is doing a gr8 job tot so be there or b squaed

Tell them Raphy

i think Nigeria should have it's own Idol program order than the idols west Africa and i can bet it's going to be a huge success if the right steps are taken.the thing i see in Nigeria reality shows is that the people that are always selected to participate are either fake or boring sometimes i wonder what the organizers or those appointed to select people for the shows are normal or partial in their screening.take for example Gluder ultimate search.how can a girl like Patricia and be allowed to participate when it so clear that they are not fit.then check the big brother Nigeria,next movie star.Ambo,creative academy e.t.c.The problem we have is just having the right idea,proper organization,truthful people to say the list.Nigeria idol will be a huge success Cos this country has great talents i mean people who can stand wit international music stars if given the right opportunity and keep everyone glue to their tv all over the world like American idol.

What are you talking about? In the past year, we've had several (forgettable) musical talent shows in Nigeria!

that's my point.(forgetable).and dis country has reach the level were by our reality shows (especially music)should be fun and unforgetable and known all over the worl d.we have all it takes,belive me i know.just need the right idea and organization.

h there,

please does anyone know's the official website of the recently concluded survival africa and survival south africa. please give ne a hint, and sorry for the digression.

thanks

It amazes me to see people come out to make jest of themselves in the name of becoming the next West African Idol.
Some come to exhibit their madness,is it what Idol is all about?
Anyway some others know why they are there.
Did watch Confidence(Peter Rufai's daughter) perform? She was really good.What do you think?

what do u mean by "West Africa Idol" Pls can u make me understand this.

Kelly,don't tell me you don't know Idol
Ok,it has started on M-Net 37
Just try and watch it, it's really fun

oo yea they have started showing it, was back home when they were doin audtitions want to laugh at my friends small,

im watching it rite now at work, most pips havnt got much work done 2day, im sort of dissapointed at the judges tho.
Dan's ok, the Ghaniann chick stinks but i can still manage her, he whom i cant stand is DEDE!!!!!!
WHAT!!?
who the hell does he think he is?, what has he acheived in the music world??! what gives him the right to diss people about music!!!!!

Do you think they should have given us the American Idol's judges

I have watched some of the auditions and they were good.

The Nigerian talents have been impressive so far.

It is going to be a huge success.

But I also saw some clowns who just came to disgrace themselves.

The judges have been fair.
So far, so good.

Many people are just desperate for fame.
One was even swearing and others were weeping.

We need more open doors for gifted youths in Nigeria.

http://www.mnetafrica.com/Idols/

this is the website,
already saw familair face, wonder how she did

chai,
i jus want to comment on the auditions, i think they have been totally hilarious,
som peeps dont even get what its all about,
there was this A.J guy and in fairness to the dude, his vibes were authentic A.J, but not Idol, common give me a break,
if u are sad and need a good laff, go watch the auditions of the west africa idols,

i also think dede is a complete lunatic!!! in a funny way,

Lalas:

chai,
i jus want to comment on the auditions, i think they have been totally hilarious,
som peeps don't even get what its all about,
there was this A.J guy and in fairness to the dude, his vibes were authentic A.J, but not Idol, common give me a break,
if u are sad and need a good laff, go watch the auditions of the west africa idols,

i also think dede is a complete lunatic!!! in a funny way,

Yeah! I agree with U 100%.The whole shizzle is so hilarious I laughed ma a** out.Did U see that tall gurl that waz told 2 go be a model?And i wonder why they didn't pick that half-Cast gurl

na wa. i laff tire yesterday at the office. wow!!! so much crazy fun. who gave some of those guys the nerve (liver, audacity, take your pick) to attempt idols. lawd have mercy! enuff raga and galala. wish simon ( from the american version) was here. but the judges are ok including dede (playing the simon part). heard some really good performances sha. if the lagos auditions were this good (and hilarious), cant wait to see the others.

BTW what was lara (from kush) doin there? she IS a recording artiste. a proffesional. thot idols was supposed to bring out new talents. haba. its like having somebody from destiny's child on idols. i beg somebody tell her say she don big pass this level. make she leave am for fresh voices. At least she don go yankee go sing before.

all in all sha so much fun.

no , i dont think we should have american judges, but any1 but DEDE!!, he stinks!!

I was mad when they didn't pic the half-caste chic. she was good for her age

There was this guy that did the lagos auditions. he came with a guitar(the first guy).
He was good. I was crossed when he wasn't picked. Dan encouraged him though that he would play his song on radio and that he should put it on CD and bring it to him.

[color=#990000][/color] How on earth did a non talented supposed artist like DEDE get to be on the show? This is a guy who does not have a single album !!!! And he is judging the talented and dedicated upcoming artists ! Is that not ludicrous? All he has been doing for the past 10 years is to sing the great FELA's songs, Gosh, Abami eda's own heir, Femi kuti is now a global icon and he does not rely on his daddy,s old songs.
Why do we not have dedicated music people like ONYEKA ONWENU, oLISA of Cool fm{ instead of Dan Foster] or even one of the humourless and dry duo of Kenny Ogungbe or Dayo Adeneye etc but not a DeDe who cannot discover his own musical inclination not to talk of knowing budding and potential artists.

And he should not have bounced Manny cos that dude is talented.

Did anyone see that guy(i think his name is francis) in d abuja auditions, who came out with a towel around his neck(an Eedris-wannabe) and started singing daddy Showkey's kindda song, and even when Dede stopped him, and asked him to sing something else, started singing a not-too-different kindda song, that was frigging hilarious, i laughed till i fell off the couch. Almost didn't wanna come to work today, I had to literally drag my self from the TV. Gosh!!! these auditions are so so funny. Cant wait to get home