Call for applications: TV singing contest in Rwanda

Heads Up will premier via Genesis TV on 12 September and seeks to identify talented artists to provide them with opportunities to jump-start their careers.

Public voting will constitute 30% of the overall votes, while the jury's votes will make up for 50%. The remaining 20% will be awarded based on the contestants' recording and live performance sessions. The jury will comprise producers, journalists and established musicians.

Interested artists have until 31 August to submit their applications here.

Applicants can apply in the following categories:

• R&B
• Gospel
• Hip hop
• Gakondo
• Afrobeats

Applicants should note:

• The applicant must be aged between 18 and 35.
• The jury will select 80 applicants.
• The first elimination round will take place on 6 December and will reduce the number of contestants by half.
• The second elimination round will take place on 13 December where 10 contestants will be selected to compete in the grand finale on 26 December.

Prizes

• Winner – 1 million Rwandan francs (about $1 000) along with an album recording deal and a production shoot for two music videos.
• First runner-up – 500 000 Rwandan Francs.
• Second runner-up – 300 000 Rwandan francs.

"We believe new musicians can be discovered through this contest and they go on to make good music in the future," Heads Up producer Marie-France Niragire told The New Times. "I am a music fan and I love to see new faces coming up and thriving, and it's for that sole reason that I came up with an idea to bring this music competition on board to contribute in detecting, developing and nurturing new talents in this fast-growing music industry."