The ongoing Ariya Repete competition is in its semi final stage, and today at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, 32 up and coming fuji and juju music artistes will slug it out to determine who goes into the final.
Also, frontline musicians such as Adewale Ayuba, Adekunle Gold, Taye Currency, Saheed Osupa and Sir Shina Peters will thrill the audience. Organised by Goldberg lager to promote and develop indigenous Yoruba music, the talent hunt recently had its quarter finals at Midas Arena, Ado-Ekiti, and it featured a fantastic display of music and drumming talent by various acts who were mentored at Ariya Repete Academy in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Today’s contestants are Ayegbayo Oluwaseun, Akinlabi Johnson, Korede Daniel, Wale Bravo, Bukola Ahmed, Prince Ade Michael, Femi Bright and Adebayo Adetayo, all juju artistes. In the fuji category are Ashafa Olushola Martins, Saheed Akangbe, Remilekun Olukotun, Mohammed Adewale, Ishola Ade Eric, Ode Ayomide, Suliamon Asibola Destiny, Olayemi Kehinde, Sodiq Ishola, Sulaimon Ajao, Adewale Oderinde and Abiodun Olotu.
Expressing joy on reaching the semi-finals, Ashafa Olusola Martins from Ibadan region, gave kudos to the organisers for the opportunity afforded young people to showcase their talent to the world. He was particularly thankful for the grooming and mentoring sessions at
Ariya Repete Academy. This, he said, has impacted positively on his performance in Ado-Ekiti.
For Bukola Ahmed from Sango Ota region, it was another opportunity to prove herself, as she had previously participated in the Ariya Repete 2017 edition. She said: “This time, I am looking forward to giving a better account of myself in Lagos during the semi-final. I have my eyes on the N2 million.”
Commenting on the competition, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands, Emmanuel Agu, said: “We are deeply impressed by the performance of the artistes so far and can’t wait to reveal the latest future Juju and Fuji music greats to the world. That is what Ariya Repete is all about: developing and promoting indigenous Yoruba music, artistry and drumming talent, and Nigerian Breweries is glad to be leading the charge in that regard.”
Also commenting on the performance of the contestants, Senior Brand Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni, said he was pleased with the quality of artistry displayed by the artistes.
Ayeni further encouraged the contestants to do a lot better in Lagos while charging the judges including Champion Kunle Opio, Adebayo Faleke, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola – SK Sensation, to select the very best among the participants for the grand finale.
The grand finale of the show will hold at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan on May 11, 2018.