Gospel Dreams Africa receives 7 000 entries

The competition, which closed entries on 20 July, seeks to discover gospel stars aged 16 years and above from across the African continent.

Entries were received from 21 countries including South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, eSwatini, Lesotho, Nigeria, Ghana, Chad, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Ivory Coast and Rwanda.

“We didn't anticipate such response in the first year of the competition but God is king, as he is worshipped all over the world,” Gospel Dreams Africa project manager Larry Mhlanga told Music In Africa.

Commenting on the number of entries, Mhlanga said: “It means Africa is ready and it gives us hope to continue working on more initiatives like Gospel Dreams Africa. The gospel industry needs such activities. It shows hunger for upcoming gospel artists.”

The competition, which is now Phase 2, will announce the top 100 contestants via social media on 28 July. The 100 contestants will be given a task to film a second video clip and send it via email. At this stage, the organisers will share details on how the public can vote.

Phase 3 will include the elimination stage where 50 contestants will be asked to create another clip, with a twist, and send it through. The public will vote for the top 20 contestants, after which 10 finalists will enter the semi-finals and get training from various gospel greats who will be confirmed in due course. This will include voice coaching, branding and other key elements to becoming a successful artist.

The lead judges of the competition are gospel singer Dr Tumi (South Africa), the founder and executive producer of the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards, Zanele Mbokazi (South Africa), and US-based Nigerian singer Uche Agu.

Prizes

The winner will get R25 000 ($1 500), a one-album record deal as well as a full year of publicity, branding and marketing with a reputable PR company. The winner will also get a legal contract with an entertainment law firm for the same period, and perform at the Crown Gospel Music Awards and the Trumpet Africa Gospel Music Awards.

Follow the African Gospel Foundation's Facebook page and visit the Music In Africa website for more details.