In October, Airtel Africa launched the first continental The Voice Africa, a show modelled in the same format as The Voice UK and US, will be looking at discovering talent or elevating talent on a continental level.
After Project Fame’s debut edition in 2004, this is the first singing competition that brings together contestants from different parts of the continent. In the past, there have been regional competitions such as Idols West Africa and Tusker Project Fame, but all these competitions were tailored for specific regions.
In November, potential contestants submitted videos of themselves singing for a chance to be on the show.
According to a source at the telecom company, more than 5,000 Ugandans auditioned and in Nigeria, where the show has had a number of seasons, more than 15,000 people auditioned.
The Voice is an adaptation of the Dutch show The Voice of Holland. In December 2010, American network NBC announced the show under the name, The Voice of America, it was soon shortened to The Voice.
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It has been said the name Voice of America had to be abandoned since it was already in use by the US government for its overseas radio service.
The Voice has over the years managed to become the most watched singing contest and reality show.
The show launched in Africa many years ago through Nigeria, however, this is the first time it is a continental showcase.
The first African showpiece is going to have contestants from 14 African countries such as Nigeria, Seychelles, Tanzania, Malawi, Niger, Zambia, Gabon and Kenya among others.
Following the video auditions, another private audition was held in Kampala for the selected ones and from these, more will be dropped as more auditions and screenings are happening.
At the end of the year, activations were held in Gulu and Kampala, these were build ups for the revelation of seven Ugandans who will represent Uganda in the show that will be produced and televised from Nigeria.
The Voice Africa will be shown on NTV Uganda and Spark TV, alongside Airtel TV that will screen much of the behind the scenes daily.
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