AfricaMagic, Tecno Ignite $50,000 ‘Own the Stage’ Karaoke Contest

TECNO, a leading mobile phone brand in association with Africa Magic have announced the Tecno Own the Stagekaraoke competition which sees talented karaoke singers from across the continent battling it out for a prize pool of $50, 000 and an opportunity to record a song and go on tour with a renowned musical act.

Over the next three months, 15 contestants drawn from Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, will contest via a number of themed challenges with one person ultimately emerging as Africa’s first karaoke champion.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Oye Akideinde, general manager, Mobile Apps, Tecno Mobile, said: “At Tecno we continuously strive for greatness. Our products and growth across Africa are a testament to our drive for perfection, success and harnessing the best in the markets we operate in.

The Tecno Own the Stage competition is simply in furtherance of this fact. Africa is brimming with love and undeniable talent for music; there are a lot of people who, given an opportunity, will showcase to the rest of the continent and indeed the world just what they are capable of. The Tecno Own the Stage competition gives them the opportunity and the platform to do just that.”

To enter the competition, Akideinde said that a prospective contestant has to visit the Tecno Own the Stage website and select a track from the track list.
‘The contestant thereafter records a karaoke rendition and uploads the track via the submission form on the website.
“The uploaded track is then subjected to a review by the judges who select the top entries with successful entrants notified directly. Qualified entrants will then have to go through an audition phase to get an opportunity to perform their craft, televised on Africa Magic,” he explained.

15 successful contestants will battle in front of a panel of judges to secure a spot in the live finale.
The third place winner takes home $10, 000 and a Tecno Phantom 5 smartphone, whilst the second place winner wins $15, 000, a Tecno Phantom 5 smartphone and three month internship opportunity with renowned record label, the Organisers said.

The first place winner wins a grand prize of $25, 000, a Phantom 5 smartphone, and the chance to record a song with one of the judges.

The winner will also get the chance to record a music video and tour with a popular musical act.

Also speaking at the launch, Mr. Jude Abaga, also known as M.I, one of the judges and foremost Nigerian rapper said, “The Tecno Own the Stage competition is an exciting development for talented and prospective singers from across Africa. Karaoke, as a form of entertainment has been around for as long as the practice of recording music itself.

‘There a lot of talented individuals who have been waiting for an opportunity to show their talents to the world and Tecno Own the Stage gives them more than an opportunity, but also a platform and befitting prizes to go with it. I am extremely proud to be a part of the platform that encourages and promotes talent in Africa.”

The other judges for the competition are Yemi Alade and Bien, a member of the famous African music group Sauti Sol.

The Tecno Own the Stage premieres on Africa Magic on the 25th of October 2015 and will be broadcast on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151). The winner will be unveiled at a grand finale in February, 2016.

Mr. Efosa Aiyevbomwan, head of Public Relations for M-Net West Africa and Africa Magic, said, “Africa Magic is renowned as the leading provider of world class local content for African and global audiences, and also as the leading investor in entertainment talent across Africa.

Our channels, original productions and exclusive shows continue to not only highlight and showcase the best of African entertainment content, but also continue to serve as platforms for the discovery of exciting African talent.

‘We are delighted to partner with Tecno in bringing the Own the Stage competition to screens across Africa, and we invite our viewers to tune in and catch all the excitement as we discover the continent’s next big star.”