The Voice Africa is the number one competition format music and entertainment show in the world, airing in over 180 countries. Building on the success of The Voice Nigeria, Airtel Africa partnered with the executive producers of seasons three and four, FAME Studios Africa, to roll out the award-winning concept in countries where it operates.
The show is expected to attract and showcase the brightest of African musical talents, alongside a high-profile panel of coaches and TV hosts, and act as a launch pad for global recognition.
Speaking to Kampala Sqoop, Ms. Noela Byuma, Airtel Brand Head and Comms assured of top notch selection process where only the best competitors will be sourced out and will proceed to the next level.
“The process of selection is absolutely genuine and high level, The first stage was a Video Audition, in which entrants registered at www.thevoice.africa.com and uploaded a one-minute video of them singing. Successful applicants were invited to attend Live #AirtelVoiceTrain held blind auditions which were hosted in Gulu and at Legends bar in Kampala.”
Since its inception in 2015, The Voice Africa has only been held in Nigeria and for the first time ever, the musical contest will be featured in other markets where Airtel operates.
Over 14 countries will be participating in the Voice Africa competition including; Uganda, Niger, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Rep of Congo, Chad, Rwanda, DRC, Nigeria and Gabon.
Byuma added, “Following the live audition, the seven strongest vocalists from Uganda will be flown to Nigeria to film the show, alongside seven other contestants from each of Airtel Africa’s 13 other markets in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, DRC among others.
The next stage is the unique and show-stopping Blind Auditions, for which The Voice is internationally renowned. Decisions from a high-profile panel of expert coaches will be based solely on voice, and not on looks.”
According to Byuma, The coaches only hear the contestants perform and can not get to see them – “Thanks to rotating chairs. If a coach is impressed by the contestant’s voice, he/she pushes a button to select the artist for his/her team.”
Once the teams are set, they enter the Battle Round, where coaches will dedicate themselves to developing their team of artists, giving them advice, and sharing the secrets of their success along with the help from their celebrity advisers.
In this final phase, 16 potential singing superstars from across Africa – including two from Uganda will compete each week against each other during a live broadcast, taking place in March 2023. The television audience will vote to save their favourite artists and one grand winner will ultimately be named ‘The Voice Africa.’
The grand winner will be rewarded with USD $100,000 prize package and a recording contract with Universal Studios – the leading music producers in the world.
Each of the selected participants from each country will also be rewarded USD$5,000 and some Airtel goodies. Yes. We had a couple of activations across the country to guide our intending participants on how they can partake in the competition.
Airtel is keen on empowering its community and The Voice Africa presents a platform that will help to discover and champion the musical talents of Ugandan Youth. This will enable them to achieve their full potential on the regional and global stage.
The Voice Africa, will feature high-profile coaches who help the participants shape their musical career journey and if we are lucky and a Ugandan wins, they will have a life-changing opportunity of a recording contract with Universal Studios, which is the leading music producer label in the world. In addition, they will get a cash reward of with USD $100,000.
Kampala Sqoop understands that the successful participants will be announced in March 2023.
