Mayunga wins Airtel Trace Music Stars Africa title

TANZANIA’S representative to the Airtel Trace Music Stars Africa competition, Nalimi Mayunga, has emerged winner.

The final of the biggest pan-African music competition involving contestants from 13 African countries was held in Naivasha, Kenya.

“I’m overwhelmed to see incredible talents displayed by all 13 contestants,” global recording icon and one of the event’s judges Akon said when announcing the winner.

“Moreover, I’m so delighted and pleased with the representative from Tanzania for he has super vocal tone and is talented. Mayunga reminds me of my early days and I believe if he continues with this pace and through coaching and training, he will become a great superstar in the music industry.

“I promise to offer relevant trainings, including vocal and music techniques and also record a single with him. Should he perform better, I promise to record an album with him.”

Speaking during the screening of the Airtel Trace Music Stars Africa grand finale at High Spirit, IT Plaza in Dar es Salaam, Airtel Managing Director Sunil Colaso said they launched the competition last October to identity, nurture dynamic music talent and expose the local rising music stars to the rest of the world.

“Through this competition we have enabled youth across the country and Africa to participate and showcase their talents. We would like to congratulate Mayunga for winning the African title,” he said.

“We believe an intense mentorship programme with Akon is a great start of his journey and exposure to the music stakeholders across the globe.

“We are happy to be part of live transformation of many and we promise to continue to provide a platform for Tanzanians to realize their dreams through our various corporate social responsibility initiatives, while offering quality and innovative telecommunication services to Tanzanians across the country.”

National Arts Council (BASATA) Executive Secretary Godfrey Mungereza said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Nalimi Mayunga for representing our country well and for emerging the winner of the biggest show in Africa.

“We have seen how tough the competition was and it’s very obvious that Tanzania has got talents but we have not provided adequate platforms for our upcoming artist to display and expose what they have. I would like to thank Airtel for enabling our youngsters to showcase their talent and excel.

“Airtel Trace Music stars programme doesn’t only empower youth, but promotes our music and our country to the rest of the world.

I once again congratulate Mayunga and wish him all the best on his journey to the United States for further training and record his first release with Akon.”

Speaking after he was announced the winner, Mayunga said: “First and foremost I would like to thank God for the competition was very tough.

This is a golden opportunity for me and I must say I’m humbled. “I want to thank my fellow Tanzanians for voting for me, my trainer and Airtel for providing this platform. I look forward to working with Akon and I believe this is the beginning of my success and fulfilment of my dreams of becoming a superstar.”

Countries that participated in the grand finale are Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The judges for the grand finale were Akon, renowned music executive Devyne Stephens and top-selling French Caribbean singer Lynnsha).

Thirteen contestants were narrowed down to six. Uganda, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Nigeria and Congo Brazzaville qualified for the second round of three contestants -- Tanzania, Nigeria and Congo Brazzaville.

Tanzania emerged winner, followed by Nigeria, while Congo Brazzaville was third. Mayunga got a record deal with Universal Music, mentorship and promotion for a total value exceeding $500,000.

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