With more than 2.3 million calls made by music enthusiasts who wanted to become stars, Airtel TRACE Music Star is by far the biggest music competition to ever take place on the African continent.
During a 6-month-selection process in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Gabon, tens of thousands candidates had to demonstrate their skills and talent in their native land.
To enter the competition, the contestants called an Interactive Voice Respond system with their phone and recorded their songs. Then, in each country, TRACE selected 5 finalists who went head-to-head to win the national title and the right to represent their country at the pan-African finale in Kenya.
The winner of the Airtel TRACE Music Star competition will be crowned in a spectacular pan-African Grande Finale filmed at Enashipai Resort & Spa on March 28 and will be televised starting on April 18 at 8pm all over Africa on TRACE music channels and national leading Free to Air TV networks.
Final decision to select the pan-African winner will be made by public vote and 3 judges:
1. Akon, the multi-platinum artist/producer and the most African of the American artists
2. Devyne Stephens, the acclaimed manager of some of the best rap and R&B artists in the world (Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, P Diddy, Mariah Carey etc.)
3. Lynnsha, the multi-platinum artist from the French Caribbean
Judges will each retain twenty five percent voting power, leaving the public with an additional twenty five percent leverage. Public voting polls are open until March 25.
You can vote for your favorite finalist by sending an SMS to the short code dedicated to their country, along with their key word. For Example to vote Sandra Sssubi Uganda’s winner, SMS SANDRA send to 162
The finale will be hosted by Capso and Wanjira Longauer.
The overall grand prize comprises of a record deal, promotion and mentorship campaigns for a total value that exceeds $500,000.