Heartbreak for TZ’s Nandy in Lagos

It was heartbreak for Tanzania’s Nandy over the weekend after Nigeria’s Shaapera Makepeace emerged winner of the first edition of Tecno Own the Stage.  

Tecno Own the Stage is a karaoke contest which featured 15 contestants from Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Shaapera, who was crowned at the grand finale of the contest in Lagos last Sunday defeated three other finalists; Nandy from Tanzania, Pascal and Sikin from Kenya to claim the coveted prize of $25,000 plus a recording deal.

Shaapera is a 29-year-old Nigerian teacher. A singer and a rapper, she also plays the drum set and conga in her church choir.

According to her, she is largely influenced by Lauryn Hill, and she intends to use the money to boost her musical career and to help her family.

Nandy who was mentored by rapper AY walked home with$15,000, a three-month internship at the internationally acclaimed Chocolate City, while Pascal got $10,000 after posting the second runner-up position.

The contest had engaged fans and viewers across Africa for over 16 exciting weeks of dance, singing, laughter, tears and intensive mentoring as they gave their all.

It was a glorious night for Shaapera who, apart from the fondness she received from the voting public, she was also loved by the three judges; Bien Baraza, Yemi Alade and M.I.

Unlike other music talent shows, a good voice was not the main criteria for winning. 

Rapper M.I Abaga, and head of Chocolate City record label, said that karaoke was more of performance and showmanship than just a good voice. It is true that a good voice is a plus, but it has never been the biggest thing for a karaoke star.”

“I’m proud to be part of the new ‘Tecno Own the Stage’music reality show. It is common knowledge that young people all over the world prefer to use music as their medium of creative expression and storytelling. Music also acts as a bridge, which connects people of diverse cultures and languages through sound and rhythm, creating an emotional bonding that lasts,” said MI.

The show’s host and former Big Brother Africa winner, Uti Nwachukwu of the Jara fame, has been bringing M.I, Yemi Alade and Bien Sauti Sol to the screen as 15 contestants cancelled out one another for the crown of Africa’s first karaoke champion.  According to Uti the competition was an avenue for gifted song performers from across Africa.

“Karaoke has been around for as long as the practice of recording music itself. It is all encompassing. It gives you a liberty to perform any genre of music you want to perform and what used to be a pastime is now promising an added advantage of prize money,” says Uti.

According to Tecno officials this was an opportunity for young people to show their creative abilities in a more enabling environment.

“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.” 

More about Karaoke

There may be controversies about how karaoke began or who actually invented it, but one sure thing is that the art of singing along is improving. Indeed, it is getting worldwide recognition. 

Picking its name from two Japanese words karappo, meaning empty and “oke” from okesutura, meaning orchestra, the art was only a side attraction that enhanced the experience of drinking and socializing. Initially, it was more of a platform that gave people the opportunity to have fun while ordering more drinks. 

However, its popularity now is such that it is no longer a mere Japanese pastime but an activity with huge attractions that can also make participants famous like the Tecno Own the Stage music reality show.