Airtel Trace Music Stars: Pan African Finale!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being a judge on the Airtel Trace Music Stars competition alongside Top Zambian singer Salma Sky and renowned radio personality and DJ, DJ LBC. The finale to crown the Zambian winner took place at popular live music venue The Web and was attended by many peopler from the entertainment industry as well as family and friends of contestants.

Bernard Shaluchiso was crowned the winner on the night, with runners up  Wezi Mhone in second place and Delight Haangala in third. Airtel Trace Music Stars Zambian edition saw a large number of entries from all parts of the country in its early phase, and after several weeks of deliberation, the judges narrowed the list down to the top 5.

Bernard Shaluchiso took home the first prize of K300, 000(Zambian Kwacha), while Wezi Mhone who came in at a close second took home a Samsung Note 4 smart phone courtesy of Samsung and an High Definition decoder courtesy of Multichoice Zambia. Second Runner up Delight Haangala also walked away with a Samsung S5 smart phone courtesy of Samsung and a High Definition decoder courtesy of Multichoice Zambia

While expressing his excitement, Bernard said:“I never thought I’d win or even come this far considering the quality of competition. I am grateful to the Judges and all the people that voted for me for making my dream come true”.

“With the money I have won today, I intend to start a recording studio so I may provide a platform for other upcoming artists to explore their talents,”he added.

Now it is time for the Pan African finale where the winner of the biggest music talent search competition in Africa will be crowned in Kenya by Akon. With more than 2.3 million calls made by music enthusiasts who wanted to become stars, Airtel TRACE Music Star is by far the biggest music competition to ever take place on the African continent.

During a 6-month-selection process in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Gabon,tens of thousands candidates had to demonstrate their skills and talent in their native land.

Final decision to select the pan-African winner will be made by public vote and 3 judges:

1. Akon, the multi-platinum artist/producer and the most African of the American artists
2. Devyne Stephens, the acclaimed manager of some of the best rap and R&B artists in the world (Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, P Diddy, Mariah Carey etc.)
3. Lynnsha, the multi-platinum artist from the French Caribbean

Public voting polls are open until March25 and you can vote for your favourite finalist by sending an SMS to the short code dedicated to their country, along with their key word.

The finale will be hosted by Capso and Wanjira Longauer. The overall grand prize comprises of a record deal, promotion and mentorship campaigns for a total value that exceeds $500,000.

Follow the link to meet each finalist:http://bit.ly/1BByvza

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA

Website: http://www.tracemusicstar.com

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1MxfvFb

#AirtelTRACESTar

Make sure you support Bernard and vote for him to win!

Salma Sky: Video Auditions

Are you a trained dancer? Or just a really talented one? If you are then Salma Sky is holding music video auditions Saturday the 13th of December.

Here is your chance to be a star and dance your way into the spotlight!

Details on the flyer below:

You can follow her on twitter @SalmaSings and life her Facebook page Salma Sky.

Good luck.

Non Stop Remix: Music Video Launch

Last week Thursday I had the pleasure of attending Salma Sky’s music video launch for her latest single “Non Stop” (The remix) feat Cactus Agony. It was a black tie affair at news cafe, with many of the lady in question’s industry peers, collaborators and her friends and family. Aside from a wonderful ambiance and mood set by the decor and the red carpet the room was buzzing with excitement to see the video for the song that had been all over Zambian airwaves for the past week or so.

Salma took to the stage after the video premiered to sing a few songs off her upcoming album, one song in particular stood out to me. It was a song that clearly meant more to her after the passing of her grandmother, that spoke of an older woman’s wisdom and love and strength. You could absolutely feel the emotion behind it, without saying too much about this album (because we all need to go buy it) I would definitely add it to my must have’s for 2015.

I have to say that Tivo did a fantastic job directing yet another video that is of international quality, with great production value. This video is sexy, sleek and just one of the best local videos I have seen and the best part is it was shot by an all Zambian crew. Check out the video below.

*To find out more on what to expect on her album check out my interview with her a few pages back on the blog.

Salma Sky: A Songbird Takes Flight

Zambians know Salma Sky for her sultry vocals; she began her music career in 2009 and in the last five years has released multiple singles, most recently she was heard collaborating on Sulu’s “Ruby Ruby”.

Her latest offering is the hot new single “Non-Stop” Remix which features Zambia’s very own Dancehall and Reggae artist Cactus Agony. Speaking to Salma on the eve of the video release of “Non-Stop”, she refers to the song as a no-brainer, adding, “Cactus and I had worked together on the song “Loveboat” on his album almost two years ago. Since then we have done Kariba Music Festival together and support each other’s work. It was easy for us to work together again, he heard the track and was eager to be involved.”

Listening to “Non-Stop” you have to appreciate the fact that this Zambian-Dancehall inspired song has international appeal, thanks in part to producer Tivo Shikapwashya. Salma spoke about the sound of the song and the decision to make a remix, “This is actually the remix to the original which features Cleo and is more R&B. We thought dancehall sound might be more appealing for a remix because it is more relatable to the Zambian sound. “

I had the opportunity to interview Salma for this new single and she spoke with me very candidly about the project.

Q: You are trying out a new sound with your new single, why take a risk?

SALMA: It’s a calculated risk as a businesswoman, for me it’s about being an artist. I can’t do what people expect of me in terms of Zambian music and what they know me for. There has been a shift in the last few years of people listening to more House and Hip-Hop. I feel like whether its dancehall or R&B people don’t care if its not our typical Dunku Dunku sound.

Q: What can fans expect to hear on this album?

SALMA: I think people are supportive of me and although my fan base is waiting for more R&B and English records they know there is another side of me. This album has given me creative gratification; I have a lot of other English songs on the album different to non-stop. Production wise I feel like we put in 110% and whatever feedback we get we can grow from that. I don’t think it is anything to be afraid from, I commend people who dare to be different and I can’t do that while staying in my shell.

Q: How was the collaborative experience of making the album?

SALMA: I worked with Sky Management group and as an unsigned artist I was able to work with so many different producers. I’ve been allowed to work with different writers and producers, from unknowns to great Zambian writers, especially on the vernacular songs. When people hear it there will be something on it for everyone. “

Q: How did you approach the making of the album keeping your fan base in mind?

SLAMA: I’ve been versatile, it’s a story of my journey and I needed that for my first album. My vocals are very signature so it doesn’t matter about the genre, my vocals have a style and arrangements that people connect with.”

When speaking of her career Salma says, “Looking back I have a body of work and I don’t have a project and now is the time to give people an album. This album has clean songs that little kids will be able to enjoy and find catchy, I found my six year old son catching onto songs.” It also appeals to teenagers and older people because of the themes explored in the music. You can expect this album to be diverse in terms of genres, “I want to part of bringing R&B back but I also have diversity, I have a house track, Zed Beats and even something Kalindula inspired.”

Don’t forget to download “Non-Stop” here and check out the video promo below or on youtube