Is Abasiakan peaking at just the right time?
Abasiakan
Just when it seemed that Nigerian Idol might have settled on a winner, this past Sunday happened and the rankings were all shaken up once again. The contestants were giving the music to us old school; honoring the late, great Luther Vandross, and highlife music. Abasiakan was the contestant with the most solid vocal performance and he was absolutely ruthless with his Luther track, ‘I’d Rather’. Not only did he deliver the song flawlessly, he handled the key changes like a pro, effortlessly switching between the notes and with buttery smooth transition. His version of Onyeka Onwenu’s ‘Hallelujah Chime’, while safe, was equally good. Abasiakan has had a few problems with his performances previously, and guest judge, the always amazing Dare Art Alade, told him that he needed to work on his connection with the crowd. It seems that after weeks of hit-or-miss performances, Abasiakan may just have hit his stride, and just may swoop in to take the crown. Visit www.nigerianidol.com for compelling back story videos, juicy behind the scene news, and get a taste of what is coming. For the latest information, Like the Nigerian Idol Facebook page www.facebook.com/NigIdol, and follow Nigeria Idol on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NigerianIdol, and you could be eligible to win some fantastic prizes, including the opportunity to be live in the studio for a recording. Nigerian Idol is the biggest music show across Africa and it is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and supported by Beat FM.
“EME is still my family”: The new Y! Magazine speaks exclusively to Wizkid on his struggles, fame & the future
The March 2013 issue of
An exclusive interview with Tonye Cole
Y! magazine is out! This edition is covered by artiste and new record label owner Wizkid – in an interview by Adedoyin Jaiyesimi and photos by Kelechi Amadi-Obi. Wizkid is styled by Tiannah Styling’s Toyin Lawani.
Seven down, four left to be eliminated: There can be only one Nigerian Idol
Top five with rolling dollar
The girl with the baby doll voice, Efezino bid her tearful goodbye as Nigerian Idol sailed past the halfway point and into the top five. It was a bitter-sweet moment for the young woman with a unique voice, who had struggled with song choices throughout the season and had brilliant song moments along the way. The competition is now left with five
contestants looking to be crowned the season three champion of Nigerian Idol. This week, the guest judge was brilliant singer and entertainer, Dare Art Alade, who came excited to see what the remaining contestants could deliver. Along with host Ill Rhymz, Jeffrey Daniel, Femi Kuti and Yinka Davies were the regular judges on the show.
The themes for the evening were music from the late, legendary R&B singer, Luther Vandross, as well as something straight from the home shores: highlife.
The evening started off with a very special performance by Fatai Rolling Dollar ‘Won Kere si Number Wa’. At 87 years of age, it was a joy to behold his energetic and spritely performance, and he eventually was joined on stage by the eager group of contestants. An appreciative in-studio audience gave the performance a loud and prolonged standing ovation, thrilled by the performance. Fatai Rolling Dollar had this to say about young, upcoming performers: “I love what the young artists now are doing. They have a good message for the young crowd out there, and I absolutely love it!”
It was then the contestants’ turn to perform, starting with Luther Vandross songs. Safeeyat started off the night, and performed ‘So Amazing’. Jeffrey told a disappointed Safeeyat that “…the passion and emotion that was supposed to be in this song, I was not getting that.”
Dare gave his own critique saying, “I think you struggled to connect to the song.” JayFeel, was next, singing ‘ If I Didn’t Know Better’. While Yinka looked mildly pleased with his performance, Dare was blunt with his criticism telling the back-flipping singer, “I thought you didn’t really control the song.” Jeffrey added, “Your voice was scratchy.”
Moses performance of ‘If Only for one Night’ had the judges on the fence. While Dare told him, “One word: soulful,” Femi was disinclined to agree, saying, “It was good as usual,” then referred to his words of warning to the ‘teddy bear’ singer last week about sustaining a performance. Yinka was thrilled however, hugging Moses and saying, “That
is what I’m talking about!” Abasiakan’ rendition of ‘I’d Rather’ saw an ecstatic crowd rise to their feet, and the judges were effusive with their praise. Jeffrey told him, “That was greatness in the making right here!” Femi was equally enthusiastic, telling him, “What I loved most was the way you modulated changing key…it’s like you were flying and took us along with you.” However, Dare told him he needed to connect more with the audience.
Debbie was the last for the evening, starting with a beautiful guitar intro for her version of ‘Dance with my Father’. Again, the judges gave mixed reactions, with Yinka saying the guitar worked for her but Femi telling the strumming songstress, “You can’t give your competitors any chance.”
Then the competition switched gears and turned to the highlife tunes, starting with Moses and an experimental take on the classic song, ‘Sweet Mother’. The judges got into quite a heated argument, with Dare of the opinion that the changes made to the song were too experimental, while Yinka on the other hand, told him. “You did very well! Your transitions were on point.” Abasiakan took on the challenge of ‘Hallelujah’ by one of Nigeria’s greatest divas: Onyeka Onwenu. A quick learner, he took Dare’s earlier critique to heart, and tried to connect with the audience, a fact that did not go unnoticed by the judges. Femi said, “I’m happy contestants are listening to our critiques.” Jeffrey seemed
to quite like the performance, saying, “African music brings out something in you.
Everything about the performance—I loved it.” Dare was pleased that Abasiakan took his advice telling him, “You nailed it, and you were dancing!”
JayFeel chose to perform ‘Taxi Driver’ wearing an afro wig, bow tie, shorts and knee length socks. It was another polarising performance.
Dare said, “I would like to see a lot more musicianship from you at this stage of such a competition.” Femi was even more blunt, saying, “I think Dare is right, in the middle of the song you went off key, twice.”
Debbie Rise performed ‘Mos’orire’ and it seemed she has been battling vocal issues. While the judges loved it, Yinka warned her not to scream, and Dare told her, “It was creative, it was enjoyable…but be wary of your voice.”
Last for the evening was Safeeyat performing ‘Seun Rere’. The judges all noticed an obvious disconnect between her vocals and the band performance and while her vocal performance was excellent, the judges were all disappointed with the overall attempt.
There you have it. The top five have performed and are now waiting for your votes to keep them in the competition. Who will prevail?
You can watch who makes it to the next stage on Saturday on NTA at 3:00pm, Sound City and ONTV at 7:00pm, Silverbird at 7:30pm, Superscreen at 6:30pm, TVC at 9:30pm, Real Star TV on Startimes at 9pm, channels 209 on Sky and 828 on Virgin (Africa Channel UK) at 9pm on the RESULT SHOW. Then, catch all-new performances on Sunday on NTA at 3:30pm, Sound
City and ONTV at 7:00pm, Silverbird at 8:00 pm, TVC at 8:30 pm, Superscreen at 9:30pm, Real Star TV on Startimes at 9pm, channels 209 on Sky and 828 on Virgin (Africa Channel UK) at 9pm
Nigerian Idol is the biggest music show across Africa and it is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and supported by Beat FM.
Going back to their roots: Nigerian Idol top 6 bring it home with Nigerian hit songs
It was all about coming home as the Nigerian Idol top 6 were all about music from our shores as they took their song choices from the current hits flooding the Nigerian airwaves, all by Nigerian artists. Femi Sowoolu taking on the mantle of guest judge for the show, and for the first time, the contestants were paired up and singing duets.
Seyi Shay was the first artist covered, as Efezino performed her hit song ‘Loving Your Way’. It seemed she sold both the crowd and the judges on her performance because she was told by Jeffrey Daniel, “You were killing it on the chorus…a pleasant performance.” Yinka Davies followed up with, ‘It was more than pleasant I loved it!” And Femi Kuti gave his
seal of approval, telling her that she seemed really comfortable on stage.
Moses took a risk and sang ‘Oliver Twist’ by D’banj, but his risk paid off big time. Yinka said with a dramatic flourish, “My people of the Democratic Republic of Nigeria, I have a confession… I love it!!!” Femi Sowoolu told him, “When I first heard the song choice I turned and asked Yinka, “wow can he carry it?”…With that performance, you [have proven] you are the biggest threat of the competition.”
The show turned the heat on the contestants up a notch, by pairing contestants with each other to sing duets. Efezino and Abasiakan were the first pair, singing ‘Comforter’s Song’ by Asa and Jeremiah Gyang.
Then came Debbie Rise and Moses—‘Bottom Belle’ by Omawumi and Flavour was their song of choice. Lastly, Sefeeyat and Jayfeel sang ‘Without my Heart’ by Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy.
Debbie Rise sang Chude K’s ‘Gaga’ and she got a rise from the in-house crowd. Femi Sowoolu told her, “The music industry is pretty intricate—your stage play is great, and with a name like Debbie Rise you’re half way there to being a star. I don’t think your voice quite carried your song, I don’t see how that song works for a lady as
beautiful as you.” Femi Kuti was more lenient and told her, “You’re an African girl; you’re beautiful, you’re sexy. Your performance was brave [and] you’ve got what it takes for as an entertainer. I’ll give you a
pass mark.”
JayFeel stepped onto the stage to sing ‘Azonto (Freestyle)’ by Wizkid.
Jeffrey Daniel told him, “The Naija pop song, club and dance scene, they are not really about vocal ability they are about entertainment, and you just gave us a great example of that.” Femi Sowoolu agreed, telling him “You hypnotised me. The juju wey you use hold my hand, must have been powerful because with all the other contestants who came out, I was writing notes!” Sefeeyat sang Omawumi’s ‘If you ask me’. It seemed to please the judges. Jeffrey said to her, “You did a great job, your performance was great. There were a couple of notes here and there, but overall, it was
a nice performance.” Yinka agreed telling her, “I loved the way you sang that song!” Raindrop by Tuface Idibia was the last song for the evening and it was Abasiakan who tried to do justice to the song. Yinka seemed to enjoy it
thoroughly telling him that she loved his vocal tone. Femi Sowoolu told him that, “I heard about you before I came to this show—people told me that you were one of the best on this show. You kind of proved it; what I see in you is natural talent but you need to become supernatural.”
So there you have it. The six contestants have sung on the show, and for one, it will be his/her very last time as a contestant. Who will be the last contestant left standing? Watch who makes it to the next stage on Saturday on NTA at 3:00pm, Sound City and ONTV at 7:00pm, Silverbird at 7:30pm, Superscreen at 6:30pm, TVC at 9:30pm and Real Star TV on Startimes at 9pm, to watch the results show.
Then, catch all-new performances on Sunday on NTA at 3:30pm, Sound City and ONTV at 7:00pm, Silverbird at 8:00 pm, TVC at 8:30 pm, Superscreen at 9:30pm and Real Star TV on Startimes at 9pm.
The top prize for this season is worth a superb $100,000, in which the lucky winner will get: 7.5 million naira in cash, a recording contract also worth 7.5 million naira, and a brand new SUV. Runner-ups will not be left out as they will be given prizes to the tune of 10 million naira.
Visit www.nigerianidol.com for compelling back story videos, juicy behind the scene news, and get a taste of what is coming. For the latest information, Like the Nigerian Idol Facebook page www.facebook.com/NigIdol, and follow Nigeria Idol on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NigerianIdol, and you could be eligible to win some fantastic prizes, including the opportunity to be live in the studio for a recording.
Nigerian Idol is the biggest music show across Africa and it is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and supported by Beat FM.