Ugandans were introduced to the
show in 2004 when a couple of promising artistes like Bebe Cool, Maurice Kirya
and one Nabeta competed to enter the academy.
Maurice and Bebe didn't make the
cut and thus giving way for little known Nabeta to represent Uganda, her
rendition of Beyonce's Baby boy didn't secure her a longstay in the musical
academy as she was evicted first.
That project fame was a platform
for many East African acts like the soulful Digde and Karen Lucas from Kenya,
the show was won by one Lindiwe Alam.
However, the real feel of the
show was when it premiered in East Africa in 2006 under the brand name; Tusker
Project Fame.
Then Uganda was represented by
Melton, an Elvis Presely impersonator, as you may know, he was evicted for
that.
That show introduced us to
Tanzanian rapper Nakai, Kenyan's eventual winner Valerie Kimani as well as
judges Hamedi and the tough talking Ian Mbagua.
Over the years, the show has
showcased talents of boys and girls like Ngangalito, Msechu, Amelina, Gaga,
Ugandans; Allan, Rachael Namubiru, Naava Grey, Jacob and Sharon Peach among
others.
Since Valarie Kimani, the show
has been won by two Ugandans, Esther Nabaasa and Davis Musinguzi, Rwanda's
Alpha Rwirangira and Kenya's Ruth Matete.
Word on the street is that Tusker
Project Fame is back to fulfill those music dreams around East Africa. The new
season of the show is set to kick off with auditions next month and premier in
September.
According to an interview of the
show's meanest judge and mentor Ian, this show is expected to be bigger with
his definition being “watch this space”.
Ian also shed light on the
previous contestants and the gaps the sponsors opt to cover this season.
“this time we want the
contestants to take home more than just winning”, he said.
However, he confessed that the
previous contestants reflect redundancy in the music industry. In his view,
this is due to poor management skills and finances.
“They lack support in sponsorship
and honest record labels and that is going to change this time round”, he
promised.
In the past, the show has faced a
lot of backfire from former contestants accusing the sponsors of simply using
them and never sponsoring their careers. In 2008, pioneer contestant refused to
appear in a would be Tusker Project Fame success story claiming the show never
helped her career in anyway, last year, season three winner Alpha too banished
the show sponsors for never fulfilling their pledges.
The show producers however have
promised better this time round, if we are to take their face book post
serious, may be this season is worth a try.
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