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  • Entertainment - Featured
  • Updated: October 03, 2020

Singers Who Rose To Stardom Through Participation In Reality Shows

Singers Who Rose To Stardom Through Participation In Reality

Apart from entertainment values, reality shows have undoubtedly given us some of Nigeria’s biggest stars whose participation changed their lives for the better.

Without some of the shows like Project Fame, West Africa Idols, some singers might not be household names today.

If their cards are well played, their successes cannot be mentioned without giving credits to the reality shows where their talents were showcased.

Reality TV is launching careers left and right—hello, Timi Dakolo? AllNews brings you other 7 celebrities who got their start on reality TV only to hit it big elsewhere.

Timi Dakolo

Dakolo who was a student of Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, auditioned for  Idols West Africa in Calabar. He was seen as a strong contender for the prize after his vocals impressed the judges.

The “Iyawo Mi” hitmaker released his first single comprising three songs in October 2009.

In 2011, he released the song "There's a Cry". The music video was filmed in Nigeria.

Chidinma Ekile

Chidinma rose to fame through her participation in Project Fame West Africa. She was among the eight thousand contestants that went that year to showcase their talents. Subsequently, Chidinma joined 17 other contestants in the Fame Academy round. She was announced as the competition's winner on 26 September 2010 and won a number of prizes, including ₦2.5 million, a 2011 Toyota RAV4, and a production deal. In May 2013, Chidinma signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria.

Inyanya

Inyanya who cited British singer Craig David and American hip hop artist R. Kelly as his key musical influences was motivated to pursue music professionally after watching the celebrity lifestyle of 2 Face Idibia and Olu Maintain.

In 2008, Inyanya was convinced by KCee a member of the defunct KC Presh music group to partake in Project Fame. He won the competition which was the beginning of his musical career

After his win, the singer began recording his debut album My Story released by CN Media Imprint.

Praiz

Prior to coming into limelight after emerging the second runner-up in the first edition of Project Fame, Praiz, a native of Igala in Kogi State was doing well in the music. He partook in the competition alongside Inyanya who won the first edition. His performance in the competition increased his fan base making him one of the next rated stars in the Nigerian music industry.

He worked with several artistes such as Cobhams, Wizkid, MI, Bez among others.

One of his many works is "That Stupid Song" where he teamed up with Bez. The song went on to be the first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.

Praiz also has a diverse style in making other genres of music, even though he is known to be a soul and R&B artiste.

Omawumi

The sonorous singer gained prominence as a contestant on Idols West Africa. She emerged the 1st runner-up of the competition when it ended in May 2007. Since then, she has had numerous performances on the stage with musicians such as P-Square, 2face Idibia, Phyno among others. She released her debut single "In The Music" in September 2008.

Darey

Another top-notch artiste that rise to fame through Project Fame West Africa was Darey who partook in the 2004 edition coming in the third position.

READ ALSO: Top 5 Nigerian Reality Shows We Miss On TV Screens (Videos)

He has also worked as a judge and host on several TV shows, including Project Fame West Africa, Nigerian Idol, and The Voice Nigeria.

Yemi Alade

Alade, unarguably one of the top female singers in Nigeria, took part in Peak Talent Show during her university days and emerged the winner. That was Alade's debut appearance on TV and where she gained popularity.

Alade's debut studio album King of Queens was released on October 2, 2014. Alade collaborated with producers such as Selebobo, Sizzle Pro, Shady Bizniz, Philkeyz, Young D, GospelOnDeBeatz among others. The album was preceded by the singles "Johnny", which happens to be one of her greatest hits since coming into limelight.

Alade's second studio album Mama Africa was released on March 25, 2016.

Kcee

The singer born Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo was formerly in the Hip Hop duo group called Kc Presh. He and his partner Presh met in the church choir, both entered for the Star Quest TV reality show together and won. Their work together as music partners gave them both a few recognition until 2011 when they split, both chasing their own careers quite separately.

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