There is something about the African drumbeats and music that speaks to your soul, stirs you to the point where you respond by dancing, nodding your head or tapping your feet. It always calls you to action.
That was the mood on Friday, May 11, 2018 as the contestants for Ariya Repete talent hunt put on their best acts for the final leg of the competition.
That day would remain indelible in the minds of Ashafa Olushola Martins, Ayodele Olatunji and members of Oludare Cultural Group as their energetic and creative performance won them the coveted first prize, respectively, in the three categories – Fuji, Juju and drumming.
The grand finale was a culmination of three months’ display of superb music, dance and drumming talent by about 5,000 up and coming acts across the South-West region and Ilorin. Before then, an initial rigorous selection process by the judges held at the Trans Amusement Park in the ancient city of Ibadan.
Indeed, the road to the finals was an arduous one as each contestant progressed from the audition stage to rigorous grooming and mentorship sessions at the Ariya Academy. Eventually, after much pruning, only 16 progressed to the finals out of the 40 that slugged it out in Lagos during the semi-finals.
For the Fuji category, only six contestants – Ayomide Ode Omotola, Saheed Akangbe, Abiodun Saheed Oloto, Sulaimon Ajibola Destiny, Mohammed Adewale and Asafa Olushola – made it to the final. Another four, Wale Crown, Bukola Ahmed, Ayodele Olatunji (a.k.a Femi Bright) and Ayegbayo Oluwaseun, qualified from the Juju music category. They were joined in the final by the six dance groups Ifesowapo Cultural Group, Sakuba Cultural Group, Oludare Cultural Group, Igba Iwase African Entertainment Cultural Group, and Eniafede Dance Group.
It was a blend of fun and serious business as all the finalists entertained the audience to rich renditions of their severally rehearsed and composed songs. Their performances were very impressive making the selection of the eventual winners even tougher for the judges.
In the end, after long periods of result collation and consultation among the judges, Ashafa Olushola Martins, Ayodele Olatunji, and Oludare Cultural Group emerged winners. The trio received N2 million each. An interesting fact was that the Oludare Cultural Group was led by a pregnant woman, Olubunmi Sadiq.
Meanwhile, consolation prizes ranging from N1 million to N250,000 were given to the first and second runners up in all the three categories.
Franco Maria Maggi, marketing director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, told journalists at the event, that as Nigeria’s first indigenous brewery, Nigerian Breweries Plc’s pro-Nigerian orientation is evident in its various initiatives.
“The Ariya Repete roundtable and talent hunt is a reflection of our commitment to promoting the Nigerian brand, specifically the Yoruba culture, especially through music,” Maggi said.
“Music and language are two very important elements of every culture; hence by promoting Juju, Fuji and traditional Yoruba drumming, we are not just promoting Yoruba music or the talented acts that have been unveiled here today, but the beautiful culture of the Yoruba people.”
An excited Ayodele Olatunji, a National Diploma certificate holder from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti could not hide his joy.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I give glory to God for this win. It didn’t come by my power,” Olatunji said.
“I just want to appreciate God and Goldberg Lager Beer for this great opportunity. With this N2 million, I will buy some of the music instruments needed for my shows and make significant change in the life my family economic-wise,” he said.
In addition to the beautiful performances by the contestants, there were also several scintillating performances by Fuji and Juju greats.
Juju maestro King Sunny Ade with a master delivery of several of his evergreen Juju songs reminded all why for decades he has remained active in the music scene.
Not to be outdone, Fuji Lords K1 The Ultimate, King Osupa Saheed and Taye Currency all represented the Fuji genre well with amazing performances that got the audience raving as they engaged them in endless sing-along.
“We live for nights like this: beautiful music, beautiful people, smiling faces, cash prizes to reward excellence, a promise of a very bright future for the new talents discovered here and, of course, an endless supply of Goldberg Lager beer,” said Emmanuel Agu, portfolio manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout, Nigerian Breweries Plc.
“I am impressed by the quality of talent displayed by the music acts discovered in Ariya Repete 2018 and can’t wait to see them excel in the music scene out there,” Agu said.
The event was attended by Tayo Arulogun, Oyo State commissioner of Information, Arts and Culture, Bolaji Repte, special assistant to the Oyo State governor on youth and sport, top Nollywood stars Yemi Solade, Sanyeri, Wakili, Adedamola Olatunji, Dele Fagboyo (anchor of Aajirebi) and Odunlade Adekola who anchored the event, among many others.
Ariya Repete returns March 2019.
CHUKS OLUIGBO
