More upsets on Naija Sings
Previously, Ovie and Dannie’Love lost the prize sum $100,000 (about N14 million). Ovie’s performance of Mosorile by I.K. Dairo did not meet the expectations of voters. “What affected me was the kind of songs I did. I did Mosorile by I.K. Dairo and I didn’t have a grab of it. If only I chose a […]
Previously, Ovie and Dannie’Love lost the prize sum $100,000 (about N14 million). Ovie’s performance of Mosorile by I.K. Dairo did not meet the expectations of voters.
“What affected me was the kind of songs I did. I did Mosorile by I.K. Dairo and I didn’t have a grab of it. If only I chose a better song”, she said. But the show cannot be reversed. “I feel sad that I am leaving the competition now but I am honoured to have competed and I was optimistic I would win”, she told journalists, adding: “I know I am a great singer; if you listen to me sing, you would know what I am talking about but voters decided otherwise. But I know where I am going.”
The Economics student at the University of Ilorin would love to do songs with Beyonce, Ego, D’banj and Whitney Houston in future.
Dannie’Love could not believe he left at the time he did. He felt voters did not appreciate his efforts at the show. “I had put in so much effort for this competition; it’s just unfortunate that voters are not recognising my efforts.”
On what next, he says its music all the way. On who he would want leave the show, he said everyone in the house was good and could win; “it would be cruel for me to desire that someone else should go”. For the ex-banker who resigned to contest for $100,000, it’s no use regretting at all.
“I have no regrets leaving the show now. One thing is certain, I had fun. Naija Sings has introduced a good platform for upcoming singers and I have greatly improved with the little trainings I was given. I am going into full time music because I’m a good singer”, he says adding that he would love to do songs with his role models like Faze, 2Face, and J Martins. Fourteen finalist were shortlisted and just six are still singing.
The disappointment experienced by the fans may have however been short-lived as Fela Anikulapo Kuti, one of Nigeria’s foremost music legends and entertainers came alive on Naija Sings when the top six contestants entertained DStv audiences across the continent. As part of the Felabration, the contestants were treated to an awe-inspiring visit to Fela’s home, The Shrine, where they were welcomed by none other than Femi and Yeni Kuti, children of the Abami Eda. Riola from Kaduna could not contain her excitement at being at The Shrine and meeting the “handsome Femi Kuti”. When she gave Femi a preview of her performance, the award winning musician looked in awe. Yeni asked if she was allowed to clap for her. They definitely would not have been disappointed at her stage performance either as she gave what was the perfect opening to another grand hour of entertainment when she performed Fela’s “Water E No Get Enemy”.
Victor was up next. When he performed privately for Femi and Yeni at The Shrine, Femi applauded. He totally nailed “Gentleman” leaving the audience to question if Fela had not been resurrected in this Calabar boy. The fans in the audience thought he gave a flawless Fela impression and were thoroughly entertained.
Tamara’s private performance of “Zombie” for Femi and Yeni met with gentle criticism. They counselled her to add a little more power to her voice as it was a song borne out of Fela’s frustration with the government at the time and her singing ought to reflect that.
Next was 18-year-old John from Abuja, who sang one of Fela’s most popular classics “Lady”. The song got off to a slow start but just before he could lose his audience the singer supplied his voice the needed energy and the right dose of showmanship to keep all duly entertained and excited.
When Shim informed Femi she was doing “Follow Follow”, he said the song was borne out of the immense pressure Fela was facing at the time, hence the song carried a distinct message he hoped she would pass along clearly. Though Shim looked like she was way over her head in her Fela attempt, she did put up a good performance and the audience thought she was quite entertaining.
Rounding off the performances for the evening was Tarila from Enugu. He also was enthralled by The Shrine and when he performed for Femi and Yeni, Yeni counselled that since Fela was such a good dancer, people would expect the same from anyone doing his piece.
With a night tribute to the Afro King completed, Olisa asked the celebrity judges, Benson Idonije and Yeni Kuti herself, what they thought of the performances of the top six. Benson Idonije, one of Nigeria’s best known music critics and former Manager to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, thought they all did a fine job of bringing Fela to life but thought Riola delivered the most creative performance adding that she did not just try to imitate Fela but made the song her own. His low light for the evening was Shim whom he thought was off the tune most of the time. Yeni also loved Riola, adding John and Victor to her list of highlights. She thought Tamara responded well to corrections but added that she was off key at certain points and that was something she ought to take seriously.