By Olu Victor
It was trills and frills as the audition for the maiden edition of Naija Street Champ- the street talent show aimed at discovering new acts in the Nigerian music industry kicked off last week with the first round of auditions which was held at Kuwait Playground Gowon Estate Ipaja for Ipaja/Ayobo zone on Saturday May 10, 2014 and at Emmanuel School Playground Ojota for Ketu/Ojota zone on Sunday May 11, 2014.
The atmosphere was filled with lots of energy and excitement as budding street talents took to the stage to perform and trill the crowd to the admirations and cheers of the audience. The talents were tasked to freestyle to a pre downloaded beat produced by D’tunes -one of the renowned producers who are a partner to the organizers of the project while the audience judged them based on the best delivery.
At the end of the auditions six street champs; Shanuolu Adesola, Arekong David and Destiny from Gowon Estate audition and Victor Ugboko, Yusuf Tayo and Adenuga Abiodun from Ojota audition were selected to go to the second round.
First-rate producer, ID Cabasa who was present at the Ipaja auditions addressed the audience by sharing his experience on getting recognition in the Nigerian music industry. “I was once like you because I came from the streets of Bariga. There are many of you here who will be bigger than 2face, 9ice, Olamide, D’banj and others all you have to do is showcase your talent and tomorrow you could be the next big act in the Nigerian music industry” he said.
At the Ojota auditions, another ace producer Terry G encouraged promising acts to take on the Nigerian music scene with no holds barred.