Over $100,000 at Stake in MTN’s New ‘Next Afrobeats Stars’ Talent Show
MTN Nigeria has officially unveiled Next Afrobeats Stars, a high-impact music talent show designed to discover and elevate future Afrobeats icons, offering a $100,000 grand prize and a full record deal through partnerships with ONErpm and Ultima Studios.
Launch & Vision
At a media event in Lagos, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna‑Emeka, emphasized the show’s mission: to transform raw talents into global stars. She painted it as more than entertainment, it’s a platform where Nigerian rhythms meet global reach, with winners receiving a $100,000 production and marketing package.
What’s Up for Grabs
Grand prize: $100,000 music deal via MTN, ONErpm, and U‑Records
Finalists: Additional deals ranging from $25,000 to $75,000, with mentorship, marketing, and distribution support included.
Judges & Mentors: Heavyweight Producers
The judging roster features top-tier Afrobeats producers—and they’ve prepared instrumentals for contestants to record on:
Puffy Tee, a veteran with hits like “Yahooze”
Andre Vibez, known for Rema’s “Calm Down” and Ayra Starr’s “Rush”
Sarz, behind Wizkid’s “Jaiye Jaiye”
P. Prime, producer of “Loading” (Olamide) and Fireboy’s “Bandana”
Beyond the Show: A Career Accelerator
This isn’t just a performance contest, it’s structured to empower contestants with lasting career tools:
Original song creation and studio recording support
Mentorship from A&R executives and established industry pros
Guidance in branding, promotion, and music distribution
Built on Solid Partnerships
The show is produced by MTN Nigeria, Ultima Studios (the producers behind Project Fame), and ONErpm, blending brand power with creative industry expertise. MTN positions this initiative as a key step toward making Nigeria Africa’s creative hub by 2030.