1ST THEY WERE 30, THEN LATER 9, NOW JUST 3. WHO WINS THIS YEAR'S EDITION OF THE NIGERIAN IDOL?

MUSIC MADE IN HEAVEN!  NIGERIAN IDOL CONCLUDES SPECTACULAR WILD CARD SHOW AS CONTESTANTS BATTLE FOR THE LAST 3 SPOTS ON THE SHOW

Ill RHYMZ, SASHA P & TIWA SAVAGE

Ill RHYMZ & SOPHYN

Ill RHYMZ & TIWA SAVAGE

Last weekend, Nigeria’s biggest music reality show Nigerian Idol gave audiences and fans the times of their lives as they presented the wild card show that determines the last set of three finalists to make it into the finals of the show. Joining the judges table last weekend was none other than Nigeria’s first lady of rap Sasha P. The show presented nine contestants handpicked by the judges from the top 30 contestants to take another chance at the Nigerian Idol finals.

“I have never had this much fun in Nigerian Idol, international choreographer and judge Jeffrey Daniel exclaimed excitedly. “The talent is so good; it appears as if I am watching the top nine stages of the show and not the wildcard. Really, Nigeria has an incredible amount of talent and Nigerian Idol appears to have collected the cream of them all!”

The electrifying show kicked off with a performance by Tega who reprised her role as a woman afraid to lose her man as she sang Mary J Blige’s ‘Be without you’. Ebbi Paul Otti who once again showed his vocal dexterity with a brilliant rendition of KC &Jojo’s ‘All my life’ followed her. The charming Byno upped his last performance with an irresistible mix of vocals and drama as he sang Bruno Mars hit ‘The way you are’. After him, G Circuit gave the performance of his life with an outstanding performance of Usher’s ‘There goes my baby’. The booming Joe Blue was next and he outdid his last try with a superbly mastered presentation of Michael Bolton’s ‘How am I supposed to live without you’.  For Phunky Sings with Vanessa Williams ‘Save the best for last’, Jeffrey Daniel renamed her ‘Phunky Smooth’ for the flawless performance she gave.

Soon it was impromptu duet time again as a Yinka Davies favourite, Stephen Onochie performed Peabo Bryson’s duet ‘Celebrate my love’ with the star judge. Sophyn also got a duet with Yinka as she sang Diana Ross’s ‘Endless Love’. The audience’s applause was deafening as they acknowledged the spectacular music coming from the Idol stage and the judge’s table. Sly 1 ended the performances with an R&B tinged version of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘I can see clearly’.

The wild card allows three winners into the Nigerian Idol finals. The contestant with the highest number of votes will be the first to get into the final stages of the competition while the judges will select two other contestants for the final stage.

“This season, there will be a top 12 final on the show,” Project Manager Tiwa Medubi pointed out. The voting public gets to choose one, while the judges will be picking two more. The real contest begins on February 12, in the Nigerian Idol finals, then a whole team comprising of a music director, voice coach, stylist and others work together to craft the Nigerian Idol who can stand on his or her own amongst other Idol alumni worldwide.”

The winner of the show goes home with a brand new SUV and total prize money valued at $100, 000. Other top ten finalists also win mouth-watering prizes. The winner of season two will be announced at a grand gala in April.

Nigerian Idol is proudly brought to you by Etisalat in association with Pepsi and Sony. It is also supported by Air Nigeria, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Megalectrics (owners of Beat FM, Classic FM and Naija FM