TPF 6: A launch night of surprises

Certain things have stayed the same, but there were changes with Joey replacing Sheila Mwanyiga as the show’s host

The Tusker Project Fame 6 took off to a great start with a whole new studio, new principle and above all a fabulous performance from the contestants on the first night that ushered in the new season at the Dome.

In the next eight weeks, the ‘chosen ones’ will go through a journey that is set to change some of them forever as the eventual winner walks away with Sh100 million .

Pitting the wits of 15 contestants from six countries, there was laughter andcheers, and to those who went home, heartbreaks, as the academy couldn’t accommodate all of them.

Tanzania perhaps was worst hit by the final decisions as two of the four contestants who had made it to the top 25 had to board the next flight home.

They were difficult moments as even the new principal Eric Wainaina admitted that the decisions were difficult to make.

 His appointment to replace Helen was something that the producers maintained as a well kept secret that viewers only learnt during the opening gala.

In his own admission, the celebrated singer said he was sad about the eviction of Dubart, who in his opinion, was one performer that never forgot his smile while on stage.

 He, however, agreed that he had a number of cutoffs while he was performing and also made some mistakes that did cost him a place. And the surprises were not in short supply by any means as he later learnt that Peace had been evicted to the extent that he thought the judges had made a mistake in reading out the names!

But such are the trials and tribulations of such reality shows, some people just have to drop off, you sometimes need Lady Luck’s smile to hang in there.

Adding more twist to the season is the fact that groups have been allowed to participate and this time around two groups, Kenya and Uganda made the cut. The final act left Tanzania with two contestants in Hisia and Angel, Uganda with four contestants including the Under Cover Brothers, five from Kenya, two from Rwanda and  one each  from South Sudan and Burundi.

As the academy changed in many aspects including the décor and personnel, certain things remained the same.

Vocal coach Kavutha retained her position, Aaron Rimbui remained with the band and so did choreographer Edu.

After the transition as Tusker’s local office officially put it, Hermes Bariki returned to the bench of judges to replace Zahir Ally Zorro who had handled the position.

This brings back the team that has handled the show for the past three seasons with Ian Mbugua and Juliana Kanyomozi featuring prominently in a more relaxed judges’ bench.

For some reason, Ian seems to have grown slightly older, that is if the greying beards are anything to go by, but all the same he remains controversial as he has always been.

The host, Dr Mitch Egwang, has also returned with the usual glamour and swagger.

There is definitely plenty to look forward to during this season as representatives from countries like Tanzania look forward to breaking the winless streak.

However, as the contestants role their bags into the spacious academy and begin their lessons into stardom, there are some questions that continue to baffle viewers and even some of the academy staff.

With over 60 graduates, not many of the academy’s products turned into musical forces to reckon with in their respective countries.

It is this weakness that Coach Kavutha says the academy intends to address during this season.

“In the past these young men have been blamed for not doing music that resonates with their people, this is something that we are working on because at the end of the day they need the fans,” she says.

According to her, the training that these people receive in the academy should be enough to propel them to greater heights after their days at the Dome are over.

“We give these lads our all and if anyone has the musical desires to succeed then I don’t see why they shouldn’t,” she says.

But even with such assurances and commitment it remains an interesting prospect how this is going to be reshaped, they have a Sh200 million record deal cushion to start with.

Prior to the opening gala the media had been treated to a rare taste of the academy which has taken a whole new look similar to that of Big Brother Africa.

We had made an effort to beat the short travel notice to make it to EABL headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi.

The recent events in the Kenyan capital haven’t made things easy for travellers, from the changed arrival terminals after that wild inferno to the tight security that is quite visible on your arrival. Nothing is taken for granted!

According to the producers they wanted us to get the first hand experience on what happens in the academy.

We were ushered into the spacious Dome with a hands-on experience of newly restyled stage and even the redesigned house fitted with everything to make life comfortable.

As part of the requirement our watches and phones were taken away meaning we had no connection with the external world; in short, we were disoriented.

The beers flowed, the rants went on, comedians tried their things as everyone tried to prove who they were and without such gadgets it was difficult to really trace time.

 At that point I longed for one dearly!