By Our Reporter
The Voice, the world’s biggest musical competition series, has come to Africa. The inaugural edition of the Voice Africa was officially launched in October 2022. Previously, the competition has only been held in Nigeria, but for the first time ever, the musical contest has been extended to 13 other African countries. This after Airtel Africa moved to sponsor the singing competition.
Uganda will participate alongside several other countries including Niger, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Republic of Congo, Chad, Rwanda, DRC, Nigeria, and Gabon.
Participation Criteria
The first stage was a Video Audition, in which entrants registered at www.thevoice.africa.com and uploaded a one-minute video of them singing. Successful applicants were invited to attend a Live Audition.
Following the live audition, the seven strongest vocalists from Uganda will be flown to Nigeria to film the show, alongside seven other contestants from each of the other 13 countries.
The next stage is the unique and show-stopping Blind Auditions, for which The Voice is internationally renowned. Decisions from a high-profile panel of expert coaches will be based solely on voice, and not on looks.
The coaches will hear the contestants perform, but they will not get to see them – thanks to rotating chairs. If a coach is impressed by the contestant’s voice, he/she pushes a button to select the artist for his/her team. Once the teams are set, they enter the Battle Round, where coaches will dedicate themselves to developing their team of artists, giving them advice, and sharing the secrets of their success along with the help from their celebrity advisers.
At the end of various vocal challenges, only the strongest members of each coach’s roster remain and proceed to the new Knockout rounds. Here, coaches will decide who to take forward to the Live Shows.
In this final phase, 16 potential singing superstars from across Africa – including two from Uganda will compete each week against each other during a live broadcast, taking place in March 2023. The television audience will vote to save their favorite artists and one grand winner will ultimately be named ‘The Voice Africa’.
In Uganda, The Voice Africa will be aired on NTV Uganda and KFM radio every Sunday at 8pm.
Prize Money
The grand winner will be rewarded with USD $100,000 prize package and a recording contract with Universal Studios – the leading music producers in the world. Each of the selected participants from each country will also be rewarded USD$5,000 and some Airtel goodies.