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Kenyan judges for Trace Music Star unveiled


Musician Atemi Oyungu, reggae sensation Wyre and producer Chris Adwar will form the panel of Kenyan judges for the second edition of Airtel Trace Music Star.

The trio were unveiled on Wednesday night and will choose who will represent Kenya at the event which will be held in Lagos, Nigeria later in the year.

American R&B superstar, Keri Hilson, will succeed Akon as the mentor of this year’s edition of the event.

Now in its second season, the competition will see Niger join the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia as the newest African territory.

To participate, contestants will need to call in a short code number with their mobile phones, record their songs to stand a chance to become the next big music star in Africa.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

The Airtel Trace Music Star (ATMS) talent search is the biggest music competition to ever take place in Africa. It won the Best Pan-African Initiative accolade at the prestigious AfricaCom Awards held in Capetown, South Africa.

Last year’s winner was Tanzanian, Mayunga, who won a record deal, promotion valued at more than Sh5 million ($50,000) and a mentorship programme with Akon.

This year, the grand prize comprises a mentorship program with multi-award winning American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson in Atlanta.

In addition to starring in their own music video, alongside Keri Hilson, this year’s winner will also get an opportunity to record a duet with the Knock You Down songstress, as well as receive a signed contract with a major music label and worldwide media exposure through various Trace platforms.