Judges for the MTN Liberia Y’ello Star National Singing competition have a tough job selecting 10 candidates to enter the Y’ello Star Academy.
Two-Hundred and Ten amateur singers from eight of Liberia’s counties: (Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Nimba, Maryland, Grand Kru, and Montersaddo) submitted music videos in the hopes of entering the MTN Y’ello Star Academy and becoming the Y’ello Star.
MTN Liberia Y’ello Star is the first-ever nationwide singing competition in the country specifically created to empower to discover young people’s musical talent and launch their talent to the world.
Chris Wolo, CEO of Capital FM in Monrovia and one of the MTN Y’ello Star Academy judges said, “The show is designed to groom musical talent by providing a unique opportunity for them to learn about the music industry, incorporate that knowledge into their competitive performances and hopefully, turn their dreams and aspirations into reality. The Y’ello Star Academy is where the magic happens.”
MTN’s Y’ello Star Academy, located at RLJ Resort in Paynesville, incorporates three weeks of intense training. Contestants will receive master classes on vocals, dance, stage performance, music production, brand and marketing, entrepreneurship, Copywrite and publishing. In addition, they will also attend interactive sessions with established well-known artists.
Radio personality Master Queen said that the MTN Y’ello Star competition is a platform that uplifts upcoming artists. As a judge, she said, she’s looking for raw, honest talent.
“I want to see people who are hungry to be in the spotlight and are willing to listen.”
Elimination rounds begin during the second week of the Academy. Then, the contestants will perform specific tasks evaluated by judges and audiences. If tasks or performances are found wanting, the contestants will be evicted during the upcoming live eviction show on social media.
Five contestants will leave the MTN Liberia Y’ello Star Academy and enter the final round of the competition.
Cypher D’King, Co-owner of HOT FM and believes that even if contestants are evicted or lose the competition, everyone is a winner.
“They had a chance to know more than before. In addition, their name and brand get out there on social media. That may lead to other connections,” he said.
Jonathan Baker, the project’s lead organizer said, “ As Lonestar Cell MTN, we continue to promote Liberian talent starting with the MTN Liberia Music Awards for established artists. We’ve always felt that we also needed to provide a platform for up and coming artists. MTN Liberia Y’ello Star does just that.”
The winner of the MTN Liberia Y’ello Star Competition will win a NEW Nissan Almera, have their songs uploaded on the CBRT platform, receive a 1.5 million LRD record deal along with 350,000 LRD. In addition, the winner is awarded a one-year performance deal with Lonestar Cell MTN and 100 GB of data monthly.
Lonestar Cell MTN will announce the ten contestants who made it into the MTN Liberia Y’ello Star Academy on Thursday, August 5, 2021. All can follow the events on Lonestar Cell MTN’s Facebook page or using the hashtag #MTNYelloStar.
