It was a weekend of excitement and one that will go down
in history as one of the city’s finest nights. The products of Nigeria’s most
enduring musical reality show were on hand on Friday June 21 at Calabar’s
Cultural Centre for a one-night concert. One of the thrills of the event was
the over 10000 youths that thronged into the edifice of the Kalabri’s passion
for entertainment and culture for the concert.
Being a city that has benefitted immensely from MTN’s
drive for human development, the venue of the concert was already filled to
capacity a few hours to the event proper. From the expansive garden to the main
hall, fanatical youths were prepped for a night of extraordinary musical craft.
Market men and women, as well, were stocked up with wares and groceries in
preparation for an unprecedented turn-over or profits that equalled what they realize
during Calabar’s yearly festival.
Remarkably, none of the expectations was left unmet. At
twilight, when the concert began, the array of rare vocal and stage craft sent
the massive crowd wild. First to perform was Tolu. The season 3 finalist, on
the reality show, stirred up memories of his feat in the academy, years ago,
when many fans were disappointed that he was not eventually picked for one of
the runners-up spot. Singing ‘Arewa’, a blend of Yoruba lyrics and English, the
young man enthralled the fans with his techniques and stage presence.
Like Tolu, Roy serenaded the capacious hall. He left many
wondering why he was not one of the most famous among the rich list of
super-stars that have come through the academy. His performance was followed by
Tomiwa, Ella and Mike. For Mike, however, there was a proof of long seasons of
hard-work to meet the expectations of the fans that have refused to doubt his genius.
Ayo, the last winner of the most productive talent show,
also performed and he did justify why he was voted the best contestant among
his peers.
The highlights of the night were Chidinma’s performance,
Praiz’s finesse, Iyanya’s rare ability to engage the youths and the guest
appearances by two of Nigeria’s finest hip-hop artistes, Wizkid and KCEE.
Each of these artistes performed with admirable
uniqueness that brought the crowd to their feet. Starting with Chidinma, the
KORA Award winner delighted the audience with a medley of her first album and
the current toast of the airwaves, ‘J’aiye’. When she dismounted the stage, it
was clear to everyone where she belongs – top of the rank.
Praiz did justice to his uncommon profile as he wowed the
crowd with a remix of ‘Stay’ and ‘Rich and Famous’. He parted on an inspiring
note by sharing his rags to riches story.
KCEE was mesmerising. The ‘Limpopo’ artiste was a cheer
sight of music wizardry. His dance steps were unique, his songs were well
mastered. He sure left a good memory for Calabar to cherish for a long time.
The crowd were already gasping for breath unknowing that
a long stretch of excitement still lied ahead. Well, that was not long in
coming. Iyanya’s appearance on stage set ripples through the crowd. He borne
his growing status with an insistent ardour in such a way that the crowd broke through
the cordon for a closer shave with the ‘kukere crooner’. He parted with a most
dignifying introduction of Nigeria’s hip-hop’s rave of the moment, Wizkid.
Wizkid, MTN’s latest ambassador, turned the concert into
a fiesta. Insisting that his fans come closer to the stage, thousands of
fanatics left their seats and, before long, it was a live party. The songs he
rendered include a classic combination with Femi Kuti and the youth’s favourite,
‘Touch your Toes’.
Speaking with Iyanya, after the show, he admitted that it
was one of his best night. According to him, ‘the concert is to showcase to the
world what MTN Project Fame’s graduates have become in less than six years’. He
added, ‘at least, the number of artistes who went through the academy and that
have performed tonight should prove that Project Fame is the best thing to have
come out of Nigeria.’
Besides the craze for entertainment among the indigenes,
the host, MTN, made sure everyone went home with satisfaction. Several people
who were called up for dance competitions were given prizes ranging from
recharge cards to branded hampers.
It was reported that the same youths that attended the
concerts came out massively, early, the next morning, for MTN Project Fame’s
audition at Channel View Hotel, also in Calabar, to brighten their own chances
of becoming super-stars like the ones that performed at the concert.
Meanwhile, the All-Stars concert will also be held in
Lagos on 28th of June at the Oriental Hotel, in Lekki. Being Nigeria’s
commercial and entertainment city, the MTN Project Fame fans are set for a most
thrilling night ever. In addition, like their mates in Calabar, they will also
get the chance to be auditioned at the Ultima Studios in Lekki, the same
weekend.
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