Afro-beat legend; Dede Mabiaku, award winning signer/songwriter; Darey Art Alade and Nigerian-German singer-songwriter; Nneka Egbuna were unveiled as this year's judges to the delight of the audience at a star-studded media launch which held on Wednesday February 25, 2014 at Rhapsody Lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The multi talented Ill Rymz continues his reign as host for the third time on Nigeria Idol.
Rotimi Pedro, C.E.O Optima Media Group emphasised that the all-star panel comprising Dede Mabiaku, Darey Art Alade and Nneka Egbuna fully reflects the passion, synergy and true commitment to talent that has strongly resonated in Nigerian Idol in over three years of dominance of the Nigerian entertainment scene.
"The 4th season of Nigeria Idol will be an even more exciting television experience as we have three brand new judges this season. The last three seasons of the show garnered enormous viewership, especially with the youth demographic, more than any other music reality show - re-emphasizing the power of the Idol brand across the globe." The C.E.O confirmed.
Nigeria's king of R&B, Darey Art Alade, will be offering his wealth of experience as one of Nigeria's most versatile performers and notes that, "It promises to be one of the most exciting highlights of my career. "You're literally watching stars unfold and discover their greatest potential. It's an extremely exhilarating and profound period for us all- judges and performers."
"I'm looking for the things that separate the true artiste from all others: diction, ability to own a song, exceptional and rare talent and I know I'm going to find it on the Nigerian Idol stage."
Exciting highlights at the launch party included a sneak preview of season 1-3 of Nigerian Idol. This was followed by Yeka Onka, Nigerian Idol season 1 winner, who dazzled the audience with an acapella version of "Hello" by Lionel Richie, Mercy Chinwo season 2 winner performed her song "Testimony" while Nneka, judge for Nigerian Idol season four rendered an acoustic sample of her song "My Home" to rousing cheers from the audience.
Moses Obi-Adigwe stole the night with an outstanding performance of "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley and his song "Number One" as he seduced the crowd to the sound of his soulful voice.
Guests in attendance were Ayo Animashaun, Sam Umukoro, Enitan Denloye, Moses Obi-Adigwe, Mercy Chinwo & Yeka Onka winner of the first and second edition of Nigerian Idol and many others.
The grand prize is N7.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry, an iPod and a brand new SUV car. The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, Blackberry and iPod; and the 2nd runner up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod.
In addition, each of the finalists from 4th to 10th place will also receive N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod.
Nigerian Idol season 4 is sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria with support from Pepsi.
Nigerian Idol Season 4 will debut this Saturday March 1 on NTA(6-7PM), STV(9-10PM), ONTV, SOUNDCITY, SUPERCREEN TV(5-6PM), OODUA TV (7-8PM), WAP TV (9.30-10.30PM), AMC(8-9PM), DRTV WARRI(10.30-11.30PM) & HIP TV(9.30-10.30,PM)
