Nigerian beer brand, bank launch music reality show

The companies will be giving cash awards of up to N150 million ($450 000) to the winners of the search. The show is intended to create opportunities for talented artists around the country.

“Both our brands share a long history of creating excellent musical experiences for not just our customers but the wider Nigerian audience, and this is us expanding on that,” Access Bank group managing director Herbert Wigwe said. “Access the Stars comes from the desire of both brands to continue to connect with people through one platform they both have in common – music. Access Bank and Star Lager Beer share a long history of creating excellent music experiences for not just their consumers but for the wider Nigerian audience.”

Wigwe said the initiative was born out of the desire to keep connecting people through music.

Nigerian Breweries managing director Jordi Borrut Bel said: “We have done this before but this time we want to bring something new and more entertaining to our consumers, where they not only enjoy good music but get the opportunity to have their own voices and music showcased to the rest of the world. We are really excited about this.

“Star Lager Beer is a well-known name in the Nigerian music scene, with hit concerts like Star Music – The Trek, Star Mega Jam and famous talent show Star Quest, which was a launch pad for the likes of Kcee, DJ Switch and many more. With these concerts, we took stars around the country and gave them a platform to entertain fans in different cities.”

Access the Stars will feature performances from such acts as Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Phyno, Flavour, Olamide and Kcee.

Nigerian singer Dare Art Alade and radio personality Olive Emodi will co-host the show while choreographer and dancer Kaffy, producer Tee-Y Mix and local artist Seyi Shay will be the judges.