adminRutendo Kanogoiwa Showbiz Reporter
OVER 70 singers, poets, rappers and dancers yesterday converged on a Bulawayo hotel to try their luck at the Starbrite talent search competition. The search for Bulawayo talent which ended yesterday, started on a low note on Monday, with few participants attending. It picked up yesterday, with contestants saying they were excited to have been part of the auditions.
Barney Mpariwa — Starbrite founder said the shortlisted hopefuls would be revealed at a later stage once they have concluded auditions in all the country’s provinces. So far, they have scouted for talent in Gweru, Kwekwe, Norton, Nyanga and Chinhoyi with auditions for Hwange, Victoria Falls and Harare being held later this week.
He said Bulawayo had a lot of untapped talent and was looking forward to more great performances in the remaining towns.
Afro-fusion group, One Stand Band member Novuyo Dube stole the show at the auditions on Monday as she exuded her powerful music talent with a strong voice, confidence and high energy.
“I attended this audition as I’ve never gone solo and wanted to boost my confidence. I’m hoping to make it through to the final stage as I’m passionate about music,” Dube said.
The competition which is credited for launching the musical careers of singers like Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Matthew Kaunda and CJ Besa was last year won by a singer, Blessing Chidzura. This year’s semi-finals will be held in Harare in September with a date yet to be set for the finals.
“The finalists will have a boot camp where they will be groomed and coached on their talents in preparation for the finals which will be held later this year,” Mpariwa said.
Online Reporter