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By Johnson Adebowale
Hi-Life Fest, a music talent platform, that has been used to identify and promote young Igbo people in the highlife genre of music, giving them the motivation they need to progress in their musical journey, has produced its 2023 winner.
After seven weeks of intense competition, Umunnakwe Nwajiaku emerged winner of this year’s edition of Hi-Life Fest. Nwajiaku beat Chisom Henry Okeke and Onyia Ogugua Ransom, who finished second nd and third, respectively, at the grand finale held last Sunday in Ikeja, Lagos.
As the winner, Nwajiaku received a cash prize of N10 million, a N7 million video production deal, a N2 million album recording deal with some of Nigeria’s finest producers and other exciting prizes. The first and second runners-up also walked away with N3 million and N2 million, respectively.
Themed ‘Turu Ugo Lota,’ this year’s edition of Hi-Life Fest, which kicked off on May 15, saw the budding singer serenade the audience with his voice, confidence and unrivaled stage presence, which the judges and viewers of the show admired from the beginning of the competition. These qualities set him above other contestants, as he warmed his way into the hearts of judges with his lyrical dexterity, his smile and his charisma.
This year’s show, hosted by talented Nollywood actor and model, Jideofor Ekene, began with auditions held across major South East cities: Aba, Enugu, Onitsha and Awka, where hundreds of music talents displayed their vocal dexterity, stage art and love for highlife music.
Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Brands, NB Plc., Ita Bassey, said: “It’s been a tremendously exciting journey in the past seven weeks preceding the grand finale and no doubt our winner is deserving of the crown. In the last six years, Hi-Life Fest has produced highlife music stars that have continued to make waves in the music industry and we’ve added yet another feather to our cap by crowning a new king.
“Life Beer will not stop telling the story of the Igbos; we will keep promoting the values of hard work, brotherhood, tradition and progress because we are proud of the audacious and resilient spirit of the Easterners.”
Nwajiaku’s journey to emerge as the winner of Hi-Life Fest 2023 was no easy feat. He, alongside Chisom Henry Okeke and Onyia Ogugua Ransom, were among the 16 finalists who made it through the regional audience, which saw at least 10,000 entries from indigenous musical talents nationwide.
The amazing show judges, David Jones David, Tipsy Kelvano and veteran actress Jennifer Eliogu, had their work cut out for them as the young act eulogised the indigenous beer brand, portraying its values of progress and brotherhood in Igbo.
