Stars remake?

The reigning Tusker Project Fame 4, Davis Ntare burst onstage singing his heart out. Although vocally gifted with silky voice, which wowed the audience, the Uganda singer’s choice of outfit was far from exceptional. Davis tried to dress African in Kitenge outfit, which was not glamorous as expected from a singer who bagged Sh5 million almost a year ago.

The glittering performances also saw Tanzanian singer Hemedy, TPF2 finalist, finally come of age. Looking bulky, Hemedy’s weight did not catch attention as much as his fine singing did. The show hosted last Sunday by Eve de Souza and Gaetano Kaggwa marked the end of the dry spell in music reality shows.

The glitzy show saw eight musicians including Kenya’s Patricia Kihoro and a bulky Ng’ang’alito thrill audience. Rwandan soulful singer Alpha proved why he was the finest in the past contest while Tanzanian rising star Msechu was exceptional.

Unlike the Tusker Project Fame, the Tusker All Stars is not an academy with teachers and judges. They have been replaced with super fans in Radio Africa’s Arjun aka Vipul Doggy Dogg and rapper-cum-radio presenter Joey Muthengi.

The eight winners are battling out for three slots, which will see them perform alongside Usher and Keri Hilson on August 20 at the Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi.

Hemedy Suleiman

Tanzania, Age: 25

TPF2: 2008

The musician left the academy hoping to make a name and cause ripples in the Tanzanian showbiz industry. Here is his scorecard.

Pulse: Did you achieve your goals after leaving TPF academy?

Hemedy: I think I’ve succeeded 80 per cent. In fact, I already released my 12-track debut album with hit songs Ninachotaka, Brown Colour and Alcohol. The single Alcohol earned me a nomination for Best Reggae Song during the Kilimanjaro Music Awards last year.

P: Tells us about your foray into Tanzanian movie industry…

H: I’m a big movie star having featured in 21 movies already released. There are many more still in production stages. My top picks are Crazy Love, Boat Ride, Life-to-Life and Wrong Number.

P: Have you always been an actor?

H: I never thought I would appear in a movie but after my ‘antics’ in the academy, a comedy producer saw my potential. He requested me to star in his production.

P: You went on probation nearly all the time during TPF, how did you feel?

H: It was a strategy because the more one was on probation the more they practised and performed. Probation also created a lot of vibe all over the Internet, radio and TV, which increased my popularity.

P: Tell us about your weight gain…

H: Back then I was hustling but now I’m one of the top four most sought after actors in TZ. I have also featured in Nollywood movies.

Patricia Kihoro

Kenya, Age: 25

TPF3: 2009

After leaving the academy, the talented songstress hoped to take her acting and singing to a higher level. She has since collaborated with Harry Kimani in  Stranger Girl and featured in M-Net drama Changes, as Pet. She’s also a news anchor with One FM.

P: So you were budding actress even before you appeared in TPF. Tells us about it especially in Sauti Sol’s video Coming Home…

P: I guess I’m a refined actress but as a far as my music is concerned I feel that I haven’t done much as expected. Well, now I’ve found a producer and I’m ready to work.

P: What do we expect from Patricia in TPF All Stars…

P: During TPF3 I was reserved, and sang to impress the judges. This time I’m out to have fun and to let it all out! Here is a chance to be an entertainer than just a singer.

Amileena Mwenesi

Kenya, Age: 23

TPF4: 2010

P: It’s been a few months in the music industry. How did you find it?

A: It’s tough. You know it’s not TPF where everything is brought to you; the glamour, the fans and music connoisseurs among other stuff. It’s hard work out there.

P: What particularly posed a challenge to you?

A: Figuring ways to maintain the hype as my own musician and not a TPF contestant was quite a challenge.

Davis Ntare

Uganda, Age: 26

TPF4: 2010 Winner

P: You displayed deep emotions last December when you were pronounced winner, how are you feeling now?

D:Let me tell you it did not sink in until my account balance clocked over a million shillings.

P: What’s the first thing you did?

D: I invested a portion and with the remaining amount bought equipment for my band. I’ve relocated to Kenya.

P: How has life been for you as the reigning TPF winner?

D: My life has changed, I’m now a public figure, it’s tough to move around. Can you believe there’re people who would walk up to me and say:  “I voted for you, buy me xyz or let’s go to the bar!” There are crazy fans out there.

P: Why did you come back to the Tusker All Stars?

D: Getting a chance to share the stage with notable international musicians such as Keri Hilson and Usher is a great opportunity that I would not let pass me by. I will also take this chance to promote my recently released songs such as Shekasheka. Besides, I love being on stage more than anything.

Alpha Rwirangira

Rwanda, Age: 25

TPF3- 2009 Winner

After leaving the academy… He expected to succeed in music. He did not work with Gallo Records due to personal reasons. He has obtained a President’s scholarship to study Music and Business at Fulbright University in US.

P: Do you think you achieved what you hoped to?

A: With talent search shows one wins in a period they had not planned to and so it can be tricky. I’m comfortable with where I am, though I believe there’s always room to grow. I thank God, my fans and EABL. There’re people with the same talent as me, but are not on my level now.

P: What have you been up to?

A: I’ve completed my 10-track album One Africa and done many singles like Songa Mbele with AY. I was glad to be nominated in the Uganda PAM Awards last year for the Best Hit East Africa for my song Come to Me with Bebe Cool.

Caroline Nabulime

Uganda, Age: 27

TPF3: 2009 2nd Runners-up

P: Why do you think you made the cut to the All Stars?

C: My performance always created a buzz; the singing coupled with the dancing.

P: What have you been doing since leaving the academy?

C: I travelled to Denmark to do a musical with theatre director Alex Mukulu where I’ve been until recently. We worked on a play about greed and it had a lot singing, dancing and acting.

P: What next?

C: I want to record my music. My songs Nkwesunga (I long for you) and Njakubeera Naawe (I will be with you) are doing well in Uganda. Financial constraint is my main challenge. I will perform my songs this time on All stars.

Peter Msechu

Tanzania, Age:23

TPF4- 2010  1st Runners-up

After leaving the academy… He planned to join the university to study music.

What have you been up to?

My life has changed a lot. I do lots of shows nowadays, I’ve travelled widely across Eastern Africa and I’ve met lots of people. I’m also closer to my government (having met my President Kikwete) and my lifestyle is upgraded. I’m currently in the studio working with Juliana Kanyamozi and also with Kidum at RKay’s studios. I’ve been recording with TPF judge Hermy B.

P: The size increase of the ‘one-pack’ explains it all… Do you still plan to go back to school?

M: Yes, I plan to go to UK for three years. I’m looking for a sponsor.

P: I thought you said the money is flowing?

M: Yes, but that’s because I’m working, when I go to school, I won’t have direct income.

P: Don’t you think that will make you detached from your fans?

M: I will wait for my fame to go down, may be next year. It’s a stage every musician goes through. I can’t go now because it would be suicidal career wise. When I come back I believe I will be better, with my own studio.

Bernard Ng’ang’a

Kenya, Age: 25   TPF3- 2009 1st runner up

P: The name Ng’ang’alito…

N: Came about at the start of TPF3 when I was introducing myself to fellow contestant Illuminata. She said she was from abroad, and to counter her jokingly, I told her I was Ng’ang’alito from Spain.

P: Apart from weight gain, what else has changed about you?

N: I’m a proud father of a seven-month-old daughter, who gives me psych to work harder. I’m settled now, financially and family-wise. I’m no longer struggling. I’m a production assistant for Power Breakfast at Citizen TV where I work Monday to Friday and I perform over the weekend.

P: A month after TPF you recorded your first album…

N: Yes, it sold more than 15,000 copies. I distribute them in River Road. My song Tuwabebe has been number one in Rwanda for the last three months.

P: Are the songs in vernacular?

N: I sing in Gikuyu, English (like the song Mama) and Swahili (like the song Tuwabebe).