Tusker Project Fame was a breath of fresh air in a region previously lacking in reality television programming. Tusker Project Fame only ran for six seasons from the start and was canceled in 2013. The enticing program that produced music stars in the East Africa region was not to be missed. In the beginning, Tusker Project Fame was an East African singing competition sponsored by Tusker Malt Lager.
The reality show brought together the most talented singers from Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. The winner of the singing competition, which would last 8 weeks, got great cash prizes. At the beginning of the competition, 15 participants usually compete against each other in front of an audience and judges. Each week, the judges, along with the audience and fans, decide who will be evicted from the house. This article features six of the Tusker Project Fame winners.
1.Valerie Kimani
Valarie was from Kenya and was the first Tusker Project Fame season one winner. She was the first contestant to walk away with Sh5 million, a deal from Gallo Records, Medical Cover along with other goodies. Throughout her stay in the house, throughout the first season of TPF, Valerie worked diligently to please the judges and beat the other contestants in the house. Basically, after becoming the winner of TPF 1, Valerie released several songs, became part of a band and later started acting before disappearing from the scene.
2. Esther Nabaasa
Esther was apparently a Ugandan woman who possessed a voice similar to that of an angel. It is said that Esther came to TPF 2 as a naive engineering student. Still, she managed to appear as the winner of the second season of this reality program with her magical voice. At the time, she was 21 years old and completing a Bachelor of Telecommunications from Makerere University. During the finals, she beat three talented finalists – Wendy, David and Victor to emerge victorious.
3. Alpha Rwirangira
The Sh5 million grand prize during the TPF 2009 singing competition went to Alpha Rwirangira from Rwanda. There is no doubt that Alpha’s music career began when he won the East Africa TPF 3. His victory was not accidental; This gentleman was talented and had great singing. Rumor has it that Rwirangira’s victory at TPF 3 gave him an opportunity to collaborate and record with AY from Tanzania and they released some songs. Alpha released a debut album titled One Africa in 2010. The aim of the album was to promote unity and reconciliation.
4. Davis Ntare
Not having made the cut during the previous David was crowned king during TPF 4 in 2010. His success was similar to that in films where the underdogs achieve victory, but through hard work. During his last performance, David performed the Billie Jean Dance All-Time Hit. He was also allowed to perform with Bongo’s best Anita and Vaileti. David’s performance during his stay at the academy was brilliant and it’s no surprise that he ended the season with the most votes in East Africa. Not only has he won TPF 4, but he is a multi-talent and one who has a great love for music production, photography, abstract art and songwriting. David has a diverse musical background, including playing the home trumpet in a marching band.
5. Ruth Matete
Ruth was a 26-year-old Kenyan from Daystar When she was crowned Queen of Tusker Project Fame 5, she had the most votes in East Africa, becoming first after Doreen, Jackson and Joe. There were rumors that Matete later collaborated with her second runner-up, Jackson, and collaborated on a wedding song together. She was the second Kenyan to win Tusker Project Fame since its inception in 2007 after Valerie Kimani.
6. Hope, Iraqoze
I hope Irakoze has beaten popular contestants like the Kenyan duo of Amos and Josh, Daisy and Hisia, to his own amazement, become TPF 6 winners. He went down in history as the first Burundian to win the competition. Although he started out as the least likely candidate to win the grand prize, he became a fan favorite and grew into the show, putting on stunning performances as the competition went on. The Bwiza-born gospel singer was later signed by American music giants Sony Music for his debut album.
In fact, these are among the 6 Tusker Project Fame Winners not to forget. Her ambition and desire to sing was evidently seen in the academy. In addition, most of them have also become music industry icons after the Tusker Project Fame competition.