Judges chide contestants for “lackluster” show

Tusker Project Fame 5 contestants were over the weekend, reprimanded by the three judges for delivering a wanting performance at a time when the stakes are higher than ever, with a Ksh10 million-worth recording deal on the line. Just a day after Burundi’s Pacifique was evicted from the Tusker Academy, Judge Ian Mbugua sternly chided the remaining Tusker Project Fame 5 contestants’ for Sunday’s performance, terming it as “lacklustre” and “not up to scratch.” Five contestants, Uganda’s Allan Roy Sekiranda; Kenya’s Doreen Nyawira; Sudan’s, Mer Ayang; Tanzania’s Imani Lissu and Uganda’s Sharon Nahkioga were sent on probation. Fans from the six countries now have to vote to save their favourite contestants as the contestant who garners the least votes is slated for eviction next Sunday from the Tusker sponsored reality TV show.Unlike on Saturday where contestants’ glitches were shielded when they performed in groups, the Sunday show saw every contestant go out-on-a-limb to justify their stay in the Tusker Academy. The event that brought together East Africans in a night of glitz, glamour and music, saw the top 14 contestants belt out their song of choice to remain in the Tusker Academy. The three judges Juliana Kanyomozi, the Ugandan crooner, Hermes Bariki, a Tanzanian producer and Ian Mbugua from Kenya, had seemingly unkind words for the contestants. Ian unleashed his characteristic scathing verbal jibes, telling Uganda’s Sekiranda that if he was working towards going on probation, “well done.”Sekiranda was not only reprimanded for the wrong choice of song, Moze Radio and Weasel’s popular track, “Nakudata,” but also for a flat performance. Tanzania’s Damien Mihayo pulled the goof of the day when he forgot the fast-paced lyrics to Ali Kiba’s “Mapenzi yana-run Dunia.” But he swiftly and wittingly hummed the melody to smoothly cover his flaw. “I know that track pretty well and I could tell that at one point you forgot the lyrics,” noted Hermes. The emotional Nahkioga, who Ian fell short of calling ‘a cry baby’, went off key on Sanapei Tande’s “Najuta,” evoking another snide remark from the take-no-prisoners Judge Ian. “I know her for crying and would have preferred if she cried instead,” said Ian unflinchingly. Judge Ian, who has curved the character of a mean examiner since the inception of Tusker Project Fame had seemingly reserved all the scolding for his countrymen. Kenya’s Eunice Gutu was not spared after her performance of Avrial’s “Kitu Kimoja.” “You look good, but you spoiled it by singing” ranted the stern thespian. Sudan’s Mer was saved from Ian’s wrath when show hosts, Sheila Mwanyiga and Dr. Mitch Egwang skipped Ian preferring to solicit comments from Hermes and Kanyomozi, who described her performance as beautiful and mellow. Though Nahkioga electrified the audience with her energetic performance of “Gold Digger” by Jacky Chandiru, judges were of a different opinion and sent her on probation for focusing too much energy on dancing and little on the song’s rendition. Sudan’s Nancy Chan and Burundi’s Joe Christian Irankuda remain the audiences’ favourites for a powerful vocal rage and heart melting charisma respectively. Tanzania’s Jackson Kalimba; Rwanda’s Fatuma Muhonza and Kenya’s Ruth Matete equally delivered great renditions to the crowd’s great applause. Tusker Project Fame 5 will see 15 contestants croon their way to fame with the winner bagging a top prize of KSh5 million cash and a recording deal worth KSh10 million with Universal Music Group, a multinational music company. TPF

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Judges chide contestants for “lackluster” show