Call for auditions: Bidii Music Talent Search

Bidii Music Talent Search, a contest facilitated by Nairobi-based studio Pacho Entertainment, seeks to provide an opportunity for young musicians from all 47 Kenyan counties to compete while receiving guidance and training. The programme will provide artists with a competitive platform to secure a studio recording session and result in a compilation album comprising young artists.

Additionally, those selected are expected to benefit from the international music networks of the mentors and judges, who come from radio, TV, print and record labels. They include Justus Ngemu of Ngemu Music, The Kasanga from Hitscore Studios, Eric Musyoka from Decimal Records, John Okidi and Totti from KeyD Records, Gerishom Walaka of Asaph Records, Tabu Osusa of Ketebul Music, Dan Aceda from TAB Studio and Eng Wuod Fibi from Barikiwa Studios.

"Those who join and register to be part of this will get an experience we never had starting out in the industry – a platform and willing mentors to give you proper guidance on how to navigate, not only the Kenyan music industry but the global music business. These are indeed different times," said Dan Aceda.

Eight contestants forming a shortlist will each get a dedicated website to promote their music and brand, a music video, a photo-shoot session with a leading photographer, training on how to handle media and stage performance training. They will also undergo a business course.

"Our aim is to discover new talent and nurture it into the music industry,” said Pacho Entertainment director Cedric Kadenyi. “We intend to do this by helping the participants create content as well as learn about copyright and music business as a whole.

“We will manage the winners until they deliver their albums. This will involve writing songs for some of them as well as engage in marketing of the artists and content through strategic partnerships The main unique thing about this talent search is that the selection team is going to the regions to find the talent, unlike others that have been done at a central place in Nairobi.”

To register, contestants need to:

• Register by M-PESA
• Paybill: 900900
• Amount: 500 Kenyan shillings per person
• Account: Enter your name

Audition dates:

• 8 July – Nairobi
• 22 July – Machakos
• 5 August – Mombasa
• 19 August – Meru
• 2 September – Nyeri
• 16 September – Kisumu
• 30 September – Eldoret
• 7 October – Nakuru

For more information write to [email protected]