After a week's stay in the Academy, it was time for the contestants to prove what they have learnt so far on stage. They treated the whole of West Africa to a delightful cocktail of musical performances.

 

The evening kicked off with Didi, Marvellous, and Musulyn singing Michael Bolton's 'Lean On Me, 'So Amazing' by Luther Vandross and Alicia Keys' 'If I ain't got you'. They opened the floor with their individual performances easing everyone into the show fully.

 

Ayo, Kemi and Chinyere did not dull at all. They upped the game as each of them performed Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song', 'Best Thing I Never Had' by Beyonce Knowles and 'Someone Like You' by Adele.

 

After these six phenomenal performances, came Adetoun, Tega and Grace beautifully pulling 'Listen' by Beyonce, Toni Braxton's 'Unbreak My Heart'and 'Can't I Live' by Toni Braxton.

 

The next set of contestants sang their way into everyone's heart effortlessly as they took our musical journey to the next level as Oyinkansade sang 'So Sick' by Neyo, Edward performed 'All Night Long' by Lionel Richie and Brenda's energetic display of Beyonce's 'Hello'.

 

After these twelve awesome performances, the last three contestants took up the challenge and beautifully brought the day to a climax with Vanessa William's 'Color of the Wind', 'My Girl' by The Temptations and Reuben Studdards' 'Flying Without Wings'. So with Sonia, Joshua and Christian rounding in such manner, the judges and faculty took time to express their views.

 

While Brenda got a lot accolades from the faculty after mentioning that they all seemed to have sang in their comfort zones, the judges also felt the contestants were good but advised them to bring something exceptional to the table because only the very exceptional will survive.

 

Tomorrow, they will all be singing again but this time to escape being put on probation. As the contest toughens, the drama and twist begins!

 

A pitch perfect vocal expert, music coordinator (both spiritual & secular), vocal arranger, voice-over artiste and “KING OF MEAN” of the Project Fame Academy. As a choir boy in the Catholic Church, an opportunity to audition for the STEVE RHODES VOICES opened up for him. The late Elder Steve Rhodes took him through the rigours of professional vocal training in the contemporary and jazz genres and he has since not looked back in this rich field of commercial and personal choice of career.

In order not to lose track of these genres, he joined the LAZ EKWUEME CHORALE to fortify his stand in the industry. Uncle Ben as he is popularly known as, is the leader of the acapella group CHORDWEBS and head of ADRENALINE, the first band to be engaged in a music reality show (MTN PROJECT FAME WEST AFRICA). This die hard talent hunter will stop at nothing to bring drama, tears and blood in order to make you the best you must be in the industry. For Uncle Ben, “IF YOU CAN’T FACE THE PAINS THAT COME BEFORE SUCCESS, YOU DON’T DESERVE THE ENDLESS GAINS IT BRINGS”.

Straight to serious business, the faculty-Mummy J, Ige, Kaffy and Uncle Ben made their way into the Academy for a formal introduction.




Mummy J introduced each faculty member and in what areas they will be working to improve and polish the contestants. She was curious about why they chose Project Fame. While most of them ranted about coming to learn, and would be happy even if they don't eventually win (yeah right); Oyinkansade confessed emphatically that he is here to win. Guess time will tell.



Mummy J's session, saw her asking Grace the Academy captain for the week to take her on a familiarization tour of the Academy. They started off from the guys room, where Mummy J encouraged them to clean their carpet daily so that dust does gather and affect their voices and also to lay their beds in the morning before they are set to go to class. On getting to the girls' room, she had issues with luggage everywhere and also clothes hanging everywhere (guess that's girly). She scolded some of the girls for bad bed-making habits and immediately made sure they fixed their rooms.

Dupe Ige Kachi, popularly called IGE (pronounced ee-gay), is an all-round performer. She has been singing since she was seven years old. Born into a family of art lovers, she has always appreciated all forms of music and dance, from classical to jazz and R&B. She honed her art in the several singing groups and choirs of the various churches that she attended as the child of a clergyman, which include Laz Ekwueme Chorale, Steve Rhodes Voices, Chosen Treasure Choir (HOTR), Covenant Christian Centre Choir, MUSON, and several Anglican Church choirs.

Kaffy whose real name is Kafayat Shafau is the Guinness book of world records holder and a Nigerian youth from the city of Lagos who has a great passion for setting goals and seeing them through. This has seen her become one of the most influential youth in Nigeria.

Kaffy who holds a diploma in Data Processing from Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State was involved in diverse extra-curricular activities all through her schooling; ranging from dance, sport to debate. After school, Kaffy continued to be involved in a lot of sporting activities, playing basketball for Sea Rovers in Lagos, and was at the time captain of Ogun State Basketball team and a swimming instructor.

Ibadan has God talents indeed. The ancient city of Ibadan also played host to Project Fame crew as the search for the next music mega-star hit the city. Will they find another Roy? Will there be another Yetunde-omo Ibadan, or big, bold and beautiful Krimi? Guess time would tell.

Very early in the morning, Tafo-Arena, W.A.E.C. Junction, Eleyele, Road, Ibadan witnessed  an overwhelming assembly of 'wanna-bes'. While some took solace in the restroom to rehearse, some others chose to dance to the blaring tunes from the loud-speakers at the waiting arena and some others clustered in groups preparing for the day, some aged men were not left out with their traditional musical instruments. It was a rich assemblage of diverse music talents all for one goal.

 

The judges were - Sholla Allyson a well known musical icon, ace broadcaster Damola Tinubu popularly known as Dammy T. and Ibadan based O.A.P. Tony Roland Awobode (Don. T.) had a filled time hearing out everyone who cared to sing and took the onerous task to select the ones that would make it to the next stage.

 

While we had the good, the not-so-good, and of course the funnies; the judges were able to pick out those that would make it to the next stage of auditions. How far will they go? Will they be able to compete with contestants from other regions?

 

The search goes on...

Liberia produced the much celebrated Nickolas Buiger in season 2 and the likes of Sametta also of season 2, Princess of season 3. Again the search for another talent pulled by Liberia.

 

Yesterday was Azonto fiesta in Ghana, and today the audition train stopped by Calabar, the city of Etighi. This was where the Kukere crooner-winner of Project Fame season 1 was discovered. Will another winner emerge from here this season? Let the search begin...

 

Very early in the morning, Marian Hotels received a huge influx of hopefuls who like Iyanya once upon a time came to be auditioned. While we can safely call some of these budding stars masters of dance, others just should just be christened super clowns.

 

 

After searching through major cities in West Africa, twenty-four contestants made it to semi-finals. And to make it to the next stage, they had to face the huddle of impressing the judges.

 

With music veteran Ade Bantu as the newest judge, the show kicked off with Uncle Ben visiting the contestants at home with the good news of making the final 24. They joy of these contestants knew no bounds as they prepared for the heat show.

 

Day 4 in the Academy All the contestants except Ochuko had it rough with the faculty on their fourth day in the Academy, because they were not present at the early morning task master’s class. Christian was so unlucky to have walked away seconds before the early morning task master came in. Uncle Ben most especially did not spare them as he tongue-lashed them all. Rhoda was worse for it as she came in late after Uncle Ben called them in, with the excuse of coming from the restroom, sure the experience never left her the same. He also advised Ochuko to carry others along next time. Later in the evening, Gold was caught crying like a baby just because she felt she was not performing up to expectation, her fellow girls (association of comforters) were right there to comfort her …hmn, are they so nice, time will tell!