Airtel foresees tough battle in Airtel Trace Music Star
Airtel Malawi has said that the battle in the Airtel Trace Music Star season 2 which was launched early this month in Lilongwe will be tougher than last year.
Airtel Malawi Brands and Communications Manager Isabel Kachinjika said this yesterday after looking at the calibre of entries which have pitched up.
“The calibre of entries is very impressive and I foresee a very tough yet exciting battle. The response this time has been phenomenal I think after witnessing the fruits of last year’s competition, everyone is out to try their luck,” said Kachinjika.
She then announced that as of next week they will start giving out weekly and monthly prizes for different milestones.
She said the weekly and monthly prizes would cater for the most humorous song, best karaoke and most distinct voice.
“We have included more prizes to increase excitement. We want to encourage customers to practice karaoke to improve their performance and stand a chance to win,” she said.
Kachinjika further disclosed that there would be another lot of lucrative prizes for best male and female recordings.
“This season we are geared to amplify our game to another level. We learnt a lot in our previous edition of the contest and pretty much it is from that, that now we are spicing things up even more,” said Kachinjika, adding that each week, the highest voter would also earn a prize.
In the previous edition of Airtel Trace Music Star competition, over 20, 000 people auditioned via their mobile phones.
Last year Lilongwe-based singer and keyboardist Sam Mjura Mkandawire emerged winner on the local front pocketing K14 million and represented Malawi at the Pan African contest in Kenya where he came sixth.
Last year’s Pan African winner was Tanzania’s Mayunga Andrew Nalimi.
Mayunga won a record deal with Universal Music, mentorship from Akon and promotion for a total value exceeding US$500,000.
This year on the local front Airtel Malawi has put up K15 million for the competition which will see the top three pocketing K10 million, K3 million and K2 million respectively.
To enter the competition Airtel subscribers need to dial 59911 and record a song. They can also practice by singing Karaoke on their phone.
The audition lines will remain open until March 27 and the contest on the local front will take place in April.
The official mentor for the competition’s season two is American singer, songwriter, actress and record producer Keri Hilson.
Last year’s mentor was multiaward winning musician Akon.
Niger is a new recruit this year joining Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia.
The organisers said that the best singing talent in each territory will be identified, rewarded and put in competition to run for the title of best African music talent.
Last year the grand finale was held in Kenya but this time it will be held in Lagos, Nigeria.
The grand prize comprises a mentorship programme with Hilson in Atlanta, USA.
The winner will not only star in their own music video alongside Hilson but he or she will get an opportunity to record a duet with the ‘Knock You Down’ songstress, as well as receive a signed contract with a major music label and worldwide media exposure through various Trace’s platforms.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
