By Benjamin Njoku

Following the growing influence of Nigerian  Afrobeats musicians on  the world stage, Ultimate Studios , one of the  leading entertainment outfits in the country has commenced a search for the next Afrobeats king in Nigeria through a reality TV show  tagged ‘ Next Afrobeats Star.’

The show was unveiled yesterday amid excitement by industry stakeholders and fans of Afrobeats music.

The organizers also unveiled renowned music producers and experts, including Sarz, Puffy Tee, P. Prime, and Andre Vibes as judges for the reality show.

According to Olufemi Ayeni, the CEO of Ultima Studios, organizers started receiving applications from prospective contestants since yesterday, and will climaxed on June 3, when the three finalists will be revealed.

He added that the judges  will also become mentors for the contestants throughout the competition.

Contestants are to text NAS to 13013 — using only MTN line — to start the application process.

Speaking further, Mr Ayeni said the aim is not only to  spotlight on.the young talents but also, to provide them with the platform to work with world class music producers.

‘Next Afrobeats Star’ will “create many stars who will be exporting something out of Africa”

“We are not just going to create just one star, the experience, the skills, the knowledge of these guys, we are going to create many stars who will be exporting something out of Africa,” he said.

“You know when you export, you are earning dollars. When you export, you are making naira better. So one of the primary motives is to help our economy. To ensure that our naira does not continue to depreciate.

“That is one thing that Afrobeats has been doing for our economy that we do not appreciate enough

“So we need to diversify our economy from just oil. When you diversify and are selling things to the outside world, you are earning foreign exchange and you are strengthening your economy. That is one thing this show is doing. So that the whole world will see what we are starting in Nigeria.”

Speaking in the same vein,  Tunji Adebakin, Chief Operating Officer of Ultima Studios, said just like the music company organized ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and ‘Project Fame’, the new show “will make lasting impacts on the artistes and the audience”.

“Ultima has created live stories all across West Africa. Talents transformed into absolutely amazing art. I can tell you for a fact that we are going to have an awesome show. Ultima is known for well round for content that actually perfects impacts and makes a lasting impression not just on the young people that we work with but also on the audiences” he said.