Up Southeast

THecommercial hub of the South East, Onitsha, recently got a taste of the Hilife Fest, themed ‘The Complete Experience, on Sunday. The festival, which is a highlife music competition celebrating the cultural rituals and values of Igbos through music, witnessed a host of talented upcoming artistes slug it out for a position in the quarterfinals.

The music fest, an initiative of Life Continental Lager Beer, featured stunning music performance from Obiligbo Brothers, Tipsy Kelvano, 2017 Hilife Fest King Chibest and Flavour the king of Afro hip pop himself.

The winners from Onitsha region were Don Ifeanyi Frank and Destiny Onochukwu, while Ofuobi cultural group came tops and qualified to be in the quarterfinals in the cultural dance category. The decision was not an easy one, as all contestants impressed the panel of Judges, which included David Jones, Jude Aguize, Dr Nicholas Akas, guest judge - Michael Ndubuisi and Highlife Veteran, Bright Chimezie. In Owerri Regional Final, Elendu Chuks and Dozie Arthur were Joint winners of the highlife performance, while the Asino Dance group won the competition from the dance category. Also two contestants from Nsukka region, Prince Ngwu and Chinedu Obiajuru in the highlife music category and Umuchiziri Egwu dance group qualified to be in the quarterfinals.

The winners from Onitsha, Owerri and Nsukka will now join Chukwudi Agbom, Emma Agbom and PC Nwabuzo dance group, who are winners from Asaba, Kalapi Ojuka, Kelvin Emmanuel and Kanayo dance group, winners from Port-harcourt alongside Obiora Ikechukwu, Onuoha Philip and Master Stars, who emerged winners from the regional finals in Aba, as the Hi-life Fest train moves on to other designated eastern regions.