CALLING AFRICANS WITH AMAZING VOICES TO WIN SH10 MILLION

Entries for the second season of the only Pan-African music competition is open. Now in its second season, Old Mutual’s Amazing Voices competition will provide unsigned musicians from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa with an opportunity to show their talent to the continent while competing for the coveted ($100 000) Sh10 million grand prize.

Gospel, Pop as well as RnB singing groups consisting of four, six or eight members are urged to submit their digital entries before November 26 to http://www.oldmutual.co.za/amazing-voices. Contestants who believe that they have what it takes to fly their nation’s flags should submit a two-minute video that introduces the group and includes one verse and chorus of their song. Shortlisted contestants will be called for closed auditions in the respective capital cities of the five participating countries between November and December. 

Two groups from each country will be selected to spend two weeks in the Old Mutual Amazing Voices’ musical Bootcamp. While voices are being honed and routines perfected, it will also be an opportunity to meet the new artists, compare cultures and learn about the musical trends sweeping across the continent.

The first major challenge towards the end of Bootcamp will be the elimination ‘sing-off’ process that will see four finalists being selected. One group will then be cut, leaving three groups to fight for honours in the final.

Since returning to Kenya, ‘Wanavokali’, the winners of Amazing Voices first season, have been working on their debut album. “We have been focusing on making more music. We have also written, and recorded demos for the new album and are arranging vocals and instrumentation and are focused on getting the album out early next year. We finally have the chance to create and share our music with the world. Watch this space!” says Wanavokali group leader Ythera Chege.