Nigerian Idol S9: New Set Of Challenges Await Contestants

AFTER three weeks of grueling screening, listening to brilliant singers with huge potential, some not- so- good crooners who have honed their skills in the bathroom, and some outright terrible pseudo- singers, the judges on the Nigeria Idol show have decided on the contestants that get to continue their journey at the theatre week.

For the past three weeks, Omawumi, Ric Hassani and 9ice joined by Emem, DJ Neptune as guest judges, have been on the painstaking effort of finding Nigeria’s next music superstar.

Now in its ninth season, the music reality show has proven to be more challenging as the best of the best showed up. There are also contestants from previous seasons who have come back hoping to improve their lot this season.

The third day of auditions was a battle for the much- coveted golden ticket as many contestants gave their best to impress the judges. Gracia received a golden ticket after three ‘ yes’ from the judges when she sang Jennifer Hudson’s One Night Only. In Omawumi’s words “she ate and left no crumbs.”

After only reaching the top 29 at the eight edition of the show, 25- year- old Maio makes a second attempt at becoming the next Nigerian Idol. He used his smooth voice to win the heart of the judges with the way he sang beautifully. His rendition of Sam Smith’s Stay With

Me earned him a pass to the next stage.

Not all the auditions ended in a golden ticket. General Makinde, who believed he had what it took to become the next big thing in Nigeria, was the very first contestant of the episode to blow the judges away. His performance of Jesus You No Joke With Me was not impressive to the judges, particularly 9ice, who did not mince words but told him that he was the one joking with Jesus. It was a ‘ No’ from the three judges, hence he walked away empty- handed.