Nigerian Idol Kicks Off It’s Eighth Season 

The eighth season of Nigerian Idol began with auditions on Sunday, April 23, 2023. So far, it has included a mixture of exceptional talent, bedroom singers, and musical jesters.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Judges Simi, D’banj, and Obi Asika separated the excellent from the okay before the live events began, and they already seem very promising. However, many artists from the preliminary round of auditions stood out. We are compelled to look back.

The entertainment sector, notably Nigerian music, is setting records, winning accolades worldwide, and making a name for itself.

Statista’s analysis and projections indicate that the Nigerian music market will increase to 44 million dollars this year. Many people who consider themselves talented will use whatever methods are necessary to break into the field.

On the one hand, winning Nigerian Idol would offer them a foot in the door, but even if they choose not to attend the live performances, there is a possibility that a music fan may see them on the program.

The skills were excellent when the season began, and 52 individuals received golden tickets on the first day.

After the first day of tryouts, acts like the blind, immensely gifted singer Ben Phillips stood out. Ben would be the first vocalist with vision impairment to pass the first round of auditions. He missed the live performances but still had the opportunity to perform for two of Nigeria’s top artists.

Some artists made a comeback this season after quitting during the theatrical week the year before as atonement. Making it through the initial audition and into theatrical week must have seemed familiar to Emmanuel Chisom and Saviour, a.k.a. Savvy since they had advanced fairly far the previous year.

In the last top 10 drafts, Savvy was dropped. Interestingly, they entered the live competitions and are currently competing for the finals.

While certain performers, like Chisom and Savvy, are returning seeking payback, others, like Franklizkid, are back to dish out hilarious gold. He was a finalist for Nigerian Idol’s “Wooden Mic” category, which was for the poorest group of vocalists when he went in for an audition in 2022. This season, his rendition of Wizkid’s “Reckless” is again up for the award.
We were also on the edge of our seats, cheering for the little ones. Some vocalists like Constance, 17, and Semilore Eniola Tabitha, 16, won the judges with her stunning performance of Adele’s “Love in the Dark.”

Precious Mac, the younger sister of Nigerian Idol season 6 top 11 participant Faith Mac, has shown unequivocally that music runs in her family. Constance and Precious are en route to the live performances, prepared to engage in a vocal duel to determine who will remain standing.

Viewers are already enjoying excellent music despite the tryouts’ mixture of talented vocalists and musical jokers. After Nigerian Idol is over, viewers rush to stream songs because of the show’s powerful sing-along impact.

After the program, viewers are urged to continue listening to music to fully appreciate the participants’ new and undeveloped musical abilities. Nigeria’s music streaming income is anticipated to increase between 2021 and 2025 at a compound annual growth rate of 25.5%, according to a PwC analysis.

This season’s candidates have been very diverse, with singers competing from many regions of the nation and musical genres. With each contender bringing flair and flavor to the program, it has created an entertaining and diverse competition.

Viewers will eagerly anticipate witnessing how the top 10 perform and if they are superior to their forerunners throughout the live events as the season develops. They have their work cut out since Progress and Zadok were prior finalists.

The live shows’ viewers may also look forward to progressively stronger performances each week, a demonstration of Nigerian culture, and the development of the next Nigerian Idol. This year’s winner will walk away with prizes worth up to N100 million after beating off over 10,000 auditioners to advance to the live competition.

Nigerian Idol will have a big influence on the Nigerian music scene, helping to find fresh talent, boost music sales, and spread awareness of Nigerian culture among listeners throughout the continent.

Everyone eagerly awaits the ‘becoming’ of a new Nigerian Idol as the live events get underway. The winner will be included in the live performances every Sunday at 7 p.m. on all Africa Magic channels, one popular song at a time.