For the first time, there will be three Rwandan contestants in the East African Breweries talent search show "Tusker Project Fame”.

The Rwandan auditions that were held over the weekend at Sports View Hotel saw over 32 contestants screened for the show that is built on the M-net’s Big Brother Africa concept. 

Speaking during the auditions, the company regional manager, Paul Byamugisha, said that Rwanda’s inclusion in the show was aimed at tapping into local talent.

"Rwanda, like others in the region, has music talent that needs to be nurtured,” he said.

"The show presents a chance to develop musical talent for the youth and to learn while at the show.”

To qualify for the show, the present 32 contestants were required to have passion for and talent in music as well as fluency in English.

One of the judges, local musician Miss Chanel noted that despite the low turn up, the successful candidates will fully represent the country at the show.

"Today, we were looking out for a star, talent and good personal presentation. We are contented that we found the people who can later go to Kenya to represent Rwanda. We are hopeful that the country will have at least three qualifying contestants,” said Chanel.

She remarked that many contestants could not express themselves in English, a requirement that would hinder them from qualifying for the show.

At the end of the auditioning, a total of 12 contestants representing the four countries will go to Kenya’s Tusker Academy, a music school where for eight weeks they will have vocal, song-writing and performance coaching.

The contestants will then perform weekly in a show that will be aired on TV Rwanda and other regional TV stations.
Members of the public will vote through SMS to keep in a member in the academy or to evict contestants every week.

By the end of 12 weeks one person will be left in the academy who will, in October, be crowned the Tusker Project Fame 3 winner.

At stake is RWF 40,000,000 in prize money and a recording deal with Gallo Records, among a host of other presents. East African Breweries is investing over USD 2.6 million in this initiative.

Tusker Project Fame is a reality television show in which 12 competitors from East Africa will have an opportunity to perform their way to stardom over seven weeks.

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