10:55 PM
Evelyn Namara
Thousands of East Africans tune in every year to one the best talent shows that we have in the Region to see a star being born, but what happens when the cameras stop rolling?
This is a question that I have always pondered but I have never got the answer.
The Tusker Project Fame academy is one of those places where we see talent being developed through an academy, hopefuls being coached and taught everyday, and week by week we see these young people improve and become better singers.
But I guess the question is, do these talent shows have a place in Uganda? Can we develop real talent through such a show?
I love talent shows and I have seen them being successful for instance in the US, American Idol has produced talented guys like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrimo, to mention but a few.
Even the X- Factor in the UK has born great talent like Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent, and the list goes on.
Tusker Project Fame stars on the other hand have left me not very impressed.
While they all strive to be the best on the show, get that record deal and start producing music, once they get out there, we hear nothing much from them.
Season one winner, Valerie Kimani was the first.
Well I could say she has had some bit of success, at least I have heard a few songs done by her and one of my favorite from her being 'village boy' that she did with Maurice Kirya but still not enough from what we really expected.
Season two winner, our very own Esther Nabaasa has also been a great disappointment, I haven't heard any serious song from her since she was crowned. Key word here is *serious.
I have heard a song or two, but is that really enough from these guys who receive all that cash prize and record deals? Why don't they give us more?
Alpha from Rwanda won the third series, and I won't speak too much about him because I do not know what is going on in Rwanda and then last but not least, one of my all time favorite winner and contestant, Ntare Hillary Davis.
I had too much faith in him, and I thought he was going to be different, but am disappointed that I haven't heard a song from him either!
He had the style and zeal to be like Maurice Kirya who is my favorite male Ugandan artist, and I was looking forward to his music but am disappointed that so far nothing has been done.
What changes after the cameras stop rolling? Why don't these stars use the stage given to them to become much bigger stars?
Is it that we are not really that ready for talent shows in Africa?
My desire to see these guys that we watch and support make us proud by producing music and using the platform given to them to be better, which I haven't seen from the talent so far.
The current situation needs to change.
Just my 2 cents!
5 comments:
Does that speak for the musicians or the industry in East Africa? With music piracy unpoliced, many artist do not find their efforts to be rewarded so they may opt to do shows instead of releasing albums. You see what I mean?
BTW--do you know who the producer of TPF is?
Hey @empowerkenya, you have a valid point I guess, our industry here does little to help these guys via policies so it becomes hard for the artists moving forward.
My problem however is, I haven't heard a lot of their music out there, even if it is played in concerts, shows etc. I hate to see all that talent go to waste. What is the point of the show then?
I have no idea who the producers of TPF are!
Hey Evelyn
Please check out SHEKA SHEKA on youtube. Davis's first single is out and about right now.
Hey,
Yeah I did check out his first single and it is fantastic, I knew he had traits of being a great guy! All I pray is that he never stops, He is a talented lad.
Good luck to him.
It's true...n its very sad indeed!!u see these guys gettiing all this exposure, money, quick fame and you think, this guy will make it big, then the show ends and u wait, and u wait......and wait!!really annoying!!
I for instance sing as well, and my vocal coach once told me, it takes more than just a great voice to make a great artist. And that's why there are great artists with average voices....I think that's a major cause for the lack of success of these fellas, they gat the voices...but do they have the art that can make them the stars we expect them to be??
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