Rap Sensation, Ikechukwu Stars as Nigerian Idol Judge

By Uche Peter

Lagos, Nigeria; May 26, 2015: Nigerian rap sensation, Ikechukwu real name Ikechukwu Onunaku was at the weekend a guest judge in the on-going season five of the Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show for the second time ever, where he joined celebrity judges, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Darey ‘Art’ Alade to oversee proceedings during the top 4 show.

The tall, dark-skinned rapper who is famous for the hit single, My Name is Ikechukwu, was an instant hit with the audience who had given him a rapturous welcome following his introduction by Show anchor, Illryhmz.

He later took a break from his judging assignment to entertain the audience with a performance of his latest work ‘Ololo’ featuring Olamide and which recently shot video is enjoying mass viewership.

Ikechukwu showed his understanding of music genre as he was seen time and again critiquing performances by each of the four contestants.

Meanwhile, the fight to stay and contend for the N7.5 million cash prize in the on-going season five of the Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show continued at the weekend with some rounds of musical performances by the four remaining contestants.

The contestants competing for the top prize include the quartet of K-Peace, Preye, Dolu and Nex2. They had scaled through the last eviction hurdle which claimed Classic Tunez, who had a rather disenchanting and forgettable performance the previous week.

In what appeared like a repeat of last week’s template, the contestants were scheduled on a run of two solo performances from each, and also two duets centred around the themes Social change and Love. And on a night that expectedly had promised much, only Dolu showed up with such an overwhelmingly convincing performance to the delight of the audience and judges.

The 25 years old from Ondo was a refreshing reminder of Whitney Houston in her prime as she performed the late diva’s hit song, I Will Always Love You. She had raised the bar for herself in the first round of performances and subsequently salvaged a night filled with inconsistent performances from the other contestants when she rendered Sam Cooke’s A change is gonna Come.

Celebrity Guest Judge, Ikechukwu could not hide his admiration for her performances as he singled her out as the leading light on the night.

And speaking about this while commenting on her rendition of Sam Cooke’s A change is Gonna Come, the rapper confessed to being brought to tears.

“Before you started the song, I had whispered to the judges here that I would like to see if you would do enough with the song to bring out tears from my eyes. And girl, you did that. I can take off my glasses for anyone to see that it is true.

“The performances tonight were great, but someone stood out more than the others. Dolu was just above the others tonight. She is the complete Nigerian Idol we are looking for, this is how I feel. I hope she carries it across with votes,” said Ikechukwu.

Ikechukwu also offered some advice to the contestants, urging them to scale-up on their performances.

He said, “They have to up their game, and to buttress this a bit more, they should relax too because the only way they can up their game is to be able to naturally embody what they are trying to do. It is not just to come and sing.”

Nigerian Idol season 5 is sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, Payporte, Cool Fm, Tantalizers, Cadbury Nigeria, Zaron, Dabur Toothpaste, So-Klin, ORS and Ellis Suites.

Nigerian Idol season 5 is aired on Saturdays and Sundays on the following terrestrial and satellite TV Stations: NTA National (2.30–3pm on Saturdays and 4.30-6 pm on Sundays), STV (both DSTV and Terrestrial, 9.30-10pm/Sat &8.30-10pm/Sun), TVC (8.8.30PM/Sat & 7-8.30pm/Sun), Hip TV on DSTV(4-4.30pm/ Sat & 4-5.30pm/Sun), Superscreen (8-8.30pm/ Sat & 9-10.30pm/Sun ) and Smash Tv (8-8.30pm/Sat. & 8-9.30pm/Sunday on CONSAT).

Others stations on Startimes are WAP Tv (9-9.30pm/Sat & 9-10.30pm/Sun), AMC (7-7.30pm/Sat & 7-8.30pm/Sun), Rave Tv (7pm), Cool Tv (7.30-8pm/Sat & 9-10.30pm), Wazobia Tv (7.05-7.30pm/Sat & 8.30-10pm/Sun), Real Star Tv (10-10.30pm/Sat & 9-10.30pm/Sun) and Planet TV on GoTV (10-10.30pm/Sat & 9-10.30pm/Sun).

For updates and videos on Nigerian Idol season 5, log on to www.nigerianidol.com . Also connect on twitter with the hash tag #nigerianidol; sign up on facebook at facebook.com/nigidol and on Instagram @nigerianidol.




ۻNIGERIAN IDOL S 5- IKECHUKWU, PREY E, K-PEACE, DEDE, DOLU AND NEX2


NIGERIAN IDOL 5- IKECHUKWU PERFORMING ON STAGE DURING THE TOP 4 SHOOT AT OMG'S DREAM STUDIOS


NIGERIAN IDOL 5- IKECHUKWU SHOWING OFF HIS DANCING SKILLS ON STAGE DURING THE TOP 4 SHOOT AT OMG'S DREAM STUDIOS


NIGERIAN IDOL 5- IKECHUKWU(2ND RIGHT) FLANKED FROM LEFT BY NIGERIAN IDOL 5 JUDGES, DAREY, YINKA AND DEDE ON SET


NIGERIAN IDOL 5- IKECHUKWU(RIGHT) WITH SHOW ANCHOR, ILLRHYMZ ON SET DURING THE SHOOT OF TOP 4 PERFORMANCE AT OMG'S DREAM STUDIOS


NIGERIAN IDOL SEASON 5 TOP 4 CONTESTANTS-PREYE, K-PEACE, DOLU AND NEX2