Enter Nigerian Idol’s Top 8 With Songs Trom The Legend

Nigerian Idol contestants

By  Ada Igboanugo
The top eight contestants on the Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol competition last week took audiences back in time when they individually rendered songs from chart-topping international bands of all time. From Westlife to The Temptations to the PussyCat Dolls, the contestants showcased their vocal prowess as they sought to win the hearts of the judges and, of course, viewers’ votes.

On hand to witness the show was celebrity guest judge on the night, Nigeria’s first female rap artiste and multiple award-winner, Sasha P who said she was impressed with the quality of talent on display. Resident judges Femi Kuti, Yinka Davies and Jeffrey Daniels echoed similar sentiments, saying that the contestants have indeed raised the bar in terms of their performances, but pointed out that there was still room for improvement.

First performance of the night was by Dani Angus who sang “My Girl”, the 1964 classic by the iconic Motown band, The Temptations. One of the judges believed he could have done more to “own” the already well loved classic. Next was Port-Harcourt-based Abasiakan who sang the 1972 hit by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes “If You Don’t Know Me by Now”, which Yinka Davies acknowledged as a “job well done”. Kome stepped into the late 90s when she rendered KC & Jojo’s “All My Life” but her nerves got the better part of her as observed by Femi Kuti and guest judge Sasha. Party starter, Jay Feel brought UK boy band Westlife to the competition when he performed their song “Larger Than Life” and ended his performance by smashing his guitar on stage – a “rock star” performance, Femi Kuti called it.

Safeeyah, the fifth contestant to hit the stage, did a rendition of “This I Promise You” –a song released in 2000 by N’sync. Jeffrey Daniels thought it was the best he had heard her sing in the competition. In stepped Debbie Rise, who was full of emotions when she sang Westlife’s “Soledad”, another great song of 2000. Although she missed a couple of notes, the judges agreed that she had one of the most powerful voices in the competition. Next on stage was Moses, fondly referred to as the Teddy Bear for his velvety voice. He did the popular hit track of Maroon 5 from 2004, “She Will Be Loved” and this earned him a resounding applause from the audience. The last performance for the night was by Efezino, who sang “I Hate This Part Right Here” by pop female group PussyCat Dolls from 2008 bringing the show to an exciting end.