Radio & TV
MTN Hitmaker: Radio competitions heat up
Radio competitions to select contestants for MTN Hitmaker Season Two are shaping up as many wannabes have gone to the studios to impress listeners with their voices and demos. New aspects have been introduced to this year’s competition. Contestants can either drop their demos at MTN service centres across the country or choose to be part of a nationwide radio selection process. If they choose the radio process, musicians will go to selected radio stations to sing their songs. Listeners will then be entreated to call or text to pick their favourites. Finalists will be invited back to the stations to sing on their instrumentals for the public to vote again. The organisers intend to pick about 30 contestants each from the radio selection and demo submission processes across the 10 regions. These regional winners will be invited to Accra to vie for a place in the final 10. So far in the Western Region alone, over 20 have been selected for the radio competition. On Firday, June 21st at the amphitheatre in Takoradi, about 10 selected musicians from Skyy Power and Melody Fm will have a final live show to impress the judges and listeners as to which two will be representing the region. In Greater Accra, Hitz Fm held its first day of competition, with Owusu Seme (Labadi); Kotor Xorlali (Tema); Amadu Mohammed Issaka (Accra); Fiagbe George (Accra); Solomon Nii Aryee (West Legon); and Theophilus Amaglo (Dawhenya) competing to represent the region. Marketing Manager of MTN Richard Acheampong said since this is the second season of the show, they want to ensure accessibility and regional representation. “We are the market leaders in digital telecommunication, so we want to ensure that even in the remotest part of the country people can take part in this novelty. It also gives a great opportunity to the radio stations to explore the Hitmaker opportunity,” he said. A presenter at Melody Fm in Takoradi, Bob Gardiner, said the musicians are very excited about the show and people are still picking up forms and submitting demos. “I see talent, passion and determination in the eyes of these guys. It doesn’t look like they are just finding ways to be famous at all. They have qualities that can make them great musicians and they see this platform as one that can help them.” The MTN Hitmaker Season Two has a prize package of a recording and artiste management deal worth GH¢100, 000 for the winner and GH¢50, 000 for the first runner-up. The third and]]>