Just as the first episode showcasing the first group of the Top 30
contestants of the music talent show, Nigerian Idol, aired on Sunday, 23
March, Darey Art Alade, R&B star and one of the Season 4 judges
lost his cool and lashed out at a contestant after a woeful performance.
Royal
George, a contestant from Benin, performed Rihanna’s all time hit song,
‘Diamonds.’ Aside from having pitch issues, George also made a mess of
the lyrics of the song.
“That was a royal mess. Messy lyrics, pitch issues, you know you didn’t do well,” said a disappointed Darey.
Irrespective
of Darey’s outburst, it had been a hard-won battle to make it to the
top 30 for the Nigerian Idol contestants who have struggled with
exhaustion, nerves and against thousands of other hopefuls also looking
for their ticket to fame and stardom.
Ten of the Top 30
contestants selected had to battle it with stellar and impressive
performances for an opportunity to win the hearts of both the judges and
the viewers at home.
Performing songs from various international
artistes, the first group of 10 had four golden tickets from the
audition phase. Only three of the acts in the group were able to impress
the judges.
When asked to sum up his experience for the day,
Darey said Evelle, Daniel Buba and Elvis Jay, were the three contestants
that did it for him that night.
“Unfortunately, the judges don’t
get to decide which contestants go on to the next stage, only the votes
of viewers at home will determine who goes home or stays back to battle
for the coveted Idol crown,” Darey said.
Meanwhile, Afrobeat
musician Dede Mabiku, another of the judges, brought back the legacy of
the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti during the recording of the first group of
Top 30 contestants of Nigerian Idol Season 4.
“Fela influenced who
I am today greatly, so though he is no more in body, he constantly
remains in my heart,” said Dede, who dressed in a black T-shirt that had
a painted picture of Fela Kuti in front with the legendary Fela pose
and an inscription behind saying ‘United We Stand’.
Hosted by On-Air Personality, Ill Rymz; International soul singer, Nneka Egbuna, made up the trio of the judges.
