When I heard Chidinma was ready to launch into the entertainment industry, I kinda like many others looked out for what she had to offer... "the makeover is superb" was my first thought when i looked at the pictures all over the net. The first single she would release had the oddest name "JANKOLIKO" and I was reserved. Worse off i thought, she featured veteran Sound Sultan, I automatically thought "another desperate one trying to launch in - you have to be careful not to allow yourself get swallowed up in an already established act's prolonged hype *PR Tip for you newcomers* - and then i listened to the song; and i have it on repeat... get that? REPEAT. Distinct start, Beautiful melody, Clear voice, Positive message, unbiased feature (for Sound Sultan), the whole song is brief enough for you to love and long enough not to bore you. She does remind of good old beautiful Nigerian music from the days of Onyeka Onwenu, Lauraine Okotie, Evi Edna, Christy Essien and Co; I hope she maintains the momentum. Then the video; was directed by Clarence Peters... Nuff said!!!
Chidinma is the winner of MTN Project Fame's season 3 edition; she first started experimenting music at the early age of ten, in her church choir having lived most of her life in Lagos, she discovered MTN Project Fame West Africa music reality TV show on television in 2009 and followed the maiden edition keenly from the television in her living room, wishing to be part of the huge show someday. Her dreams began to take shape when a close friend of hers encouraged her to go for the Lagos auditions of the third edition of Project Fame. She caught a bus from Ikorodu to ULTIMA Studios, the audition venue and joined the long queue of over 8,000 contestants, with only four hundred naira in her pocket. All she had was Belief..
Chidinma was short listed amongst the last eighteen contestants to go into the Fame academy. For the next ten weeks, she lived under strict tutelage from the Faculty comprising voice coaches, choreography, inspirational visits and sessions with established musicians and music business service providers, tough rehearsal drills etc. On September 26, 2011 Chidinma won the third edition of Project Fame West Africa, alongside the hearts of millions of Nigerians who grew to love the petite and endearing twenty one year old girl. Her prizes included the sum of N2.5mm cash, a 2011 Rav 4 and an album production deal to cater to her album recording, plus music videos.
She is currently finalizing her debut album which boasts of production from notable producers like Cobhams Asuquo, Teey Mix, WazBeat, Oscar Heman Ackah etc. Her first single is titled JANKOLIKO! and features Nigerian music veteran Sound Sultan. The video was directed by award winning cinematographer Clarence Peters. Her album is scheduled to drop before the last quarter of 2011. Musical influences for the young songstress include Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Fela Kuti, Omawunmi, Onyeka Onwenu etc. Her style is predominantly afrocentric pop music, with a lot of Nigerianness to it, clearly evident in her song writing and thematic range.
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