EXCLUSIVE: Meet Five Rising Stars in Africa!

I am fairly an amazing singer unaccompanied ! I only go off key when a second somebody shows up. That’s why my GF has never asked for a verse, she knows.

But these (now) stars were more or less like me a couple of weeks ago. Five exceptionally talented amateur singers with no previous stage experience!

They all sang into a phone not knowing weeks later they’d be ‘poured’ cash and crowned stars by one of the leading global telecommunications company, Bharti Airtel in partnership with Trace. Hik!

Let me introduce you to my 5 favorite Airtel Trace Music Stars from five Pan African countries.

Sandra Suubi Nakitto [Uganda]

Sandra believes that her music can touch lives in different ways and she is confident she has what it takes to win the Airtel Trace Music Star Competition. Bagged 100M Uganda shillings.

Samuel ‘Mjura’ Mkandawire [Malawi]

“I envisage a day when the music industry will become one of the major employers and even foreign exchange earners through export of music and talent. Other countries are doing it and succeeding, so why not Malawi? Nankhumwa extendeding his appreciation to Airtel for pumping 14 million Kwacha into his account.

Benjamin Webi [Kenya]

“Music has been part of my life and my only hustle. I flexed on daily and it’s the consistency that has kept me ahead". Kenya Airtel Trace Music star, Sh 2.7 million richer and representing Kenya among 13 Pan African countries in the competition. Read some of the most-fun facts about webi here http://mdundo.com/news/3869

Enajite Oketete [Nigeria]

Popularly known as 'Jitey'. Won ATMS in Nigeria and took home 4,987,500 Nairas.

Bernard Shaluchiso [Zambia]

"I am the first winner of the Airtel Trace Music Star Zambia edition. I can’t wait to get to the next level,” 22 y.o college student. Bernard pocketed 300 000 Zambian Kwacha.

Known as the largest mobile musical competition in Africa, Airtel TRACE Star competition is an opportunity to develop the African music industry by creating a platform for the exposure of African music and musicians to the rest of the world.

The competition recognizes talented young singers who are dramatically and musically convincing in a wide range of repertoire.

The overall grand prize comprises of a recording deal with Kon Live, a distributed label through Universal Music Group, and an intense mentorship programme with Akon in the United States of America.

PETER N: Digital Media Mdundo.com