By Benjamin Njoku

Critically acclaimed American RnB singer and songwriter Maya Azucena is poised to thrill Nigerian audiences as she headlines a concert tagged “Maya Azucena with Stars and Legends” taking place on the 14th of October, at Terra Kulture, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The concert will feature a ‘special guest performance’ by the Nigerian Army Band and host of other Nigerian artistes. This is as Maya joins the forthcoming Nigerian reality TV show, “Stars and Legends,” as a co-producer.

The Stars and Legends Reality TV show is supported in part through a public diplomacy grant from the U.S. Consulate General Lagos and showcases the United States’ strong commitment to strengthening cultural exchange between the people of Nigeria and the United States. The show is expected to captivate Nigerian audiences and inspire aspiring creative industry talents from across the country.

With her invaluable industry experience and passion for nurturing emerging talent, Maya will play a pivotal role in shaping the contestants’ journeys as they embark on a quest for success in Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment industry.

“Stars and Legends will be more than just another talent show,” says Maya. “It will celebrate Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs and nurture universal business skills through the arts. This will help to create an enabling environment for them to excel and reach their full potential.”

U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Joe Kruzich said :“We are excited to welcome Maya Azucena to Nigeria for the first time and collaborate with Stars and Legends to empower budding talents looking to break into the entertainment business.

“This collaboration underlines the U.S. government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s vibrant arts and creative industries,” Kruzich added.

Creator/Executive Producer of Stars and Legends reality TV show, Samuel Peterson, described Maya as an accomplished singer, cultural ambassador, and advocate for youth empowerment. “I believe Maya is an incredible performer and, with her diverse experience in the entertainment field, she reflects my vision for Stars and Legends. I believe she will be a huge asset to our Stars and Legends team,” he added.

Maya has toured over 40 countries including Tanzania, South Africa and Lesotho and has collaborated with stars from Croatia, Turkey, Italy, India; notably performing on a Grammy Award-winning collaboration with Jamaican-American musician, Stephen Marley.

In addition to producing and hosting many live shows in America, Maya is also a published writer, and has lent her voice to themes of women and youth empowerment with songs like “Fearless,” “Prettiest” and her latest, “I Am Enough.”

As part of the TV show, Maya and Peterson, alongside leading Nigerian artistes such as renowned flutist and former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli; and celebrated singer, producer and songwriter Cobhams Asuquo, will conduct the Stars and Legends “Becoming” Masterclass at the University of Lagos for college students.

The overarching objective of the workshops, scheduled to begin on October 6, is to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities required to thrive in the competitive creative industry