With the final episode that aired this past weekend, the first season of MTN Y’ello Star came to an end. We know. We’re bummed out too. But instead of being sad that it’s over, be glad it happened and that the show gave us the opportunity to be blessed with such amazing talent.

Before we say goodbye, let’s talk about everything that happened in that insane final episode.

The show began with a smooth performance of Burna Boy’s ‘YE’ by the top six that highlighted the growth and experience the contestants have gained all season.

After that, the hosts, Tobi Bakre and Hilda Bacci, called on Stephen Budd — a representative of the Henley business school and berkeley college of music partners of Afrinolly creative hub — to present all 14 contestants with certificates as a result of all that they learned in the hub. It was glorious watching the contestants receive their certificates with with beaming smiles.

This show also marked the first appearance of guest judge, Malik Yusef.

Following the distribution of certificates was another group performance by the top 6. They performed Shakira’s 2010 hit, Waka Waka.

Then it was time for the top 6 to give us solo performances. Up first was Gideon with his rendition of ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by AI Green. Second was Dotti performing ‘Cherry Oh, Baby’ by Eric Donaldson.

• Gideon – ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by AI Green
• Dotti – ‘Chery Oh, Baby’ by Eric Donaldson
• Freeborn – ‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Dion
• Storm – ‘Please Please Please’ – by James Brown
• Ceaser – ‘Sweet Mother’ by Nico Mbarga
• Fayfay Diamond – ‘Unbreak My Heart’ by Toni Braxton

For the 3rd group performance of the night, the top 6 gave a rendition of the MTN Y’ello Star theme song.

Then came the time to announce the top 5 who will go on to join the 2021 Berklee summer program. Gideon, Caesar, Fayfay Diamond, Storm, and Dotti all made it into the top 5. And Freeborn didn’t.

But Freeborn got a surprise. She was still given a ticket to join the 2021 Berklee summer program and got the chance to see her kids.

After this, the contestants’ final positions were announced.

• 5th – Fayfay Diamond
• 4th – Ceaser
• 3rd – Gideon
• 2nd – Storm
• 1st – Dotti

There you have it, ladies & gentlemen. Dotti is the winner of the 1st season of MTN Y’ello Star.

See you in season 2!

The MTN Y’ello Star competition has been an amazing ride so far. The contestants have entertained and dazzled the audience with their amazing voices, but more importantly, they have demonstrated a considerable level of professional and musical growth since the time they stepped into the house and now.

What then comes next?

A LOT!

But first, who among the bottom 5 will be saved, and who will leave?

You all voted, and the doors will tell us who gets to stay and who leaves. Purple means NO, and Yellow means YES.

David Garland – Purple (NO)

Jesse – Purple (NO)

G Isaac – Purple (NO)

Storm – Yellow (YES)

Oiza and Meyi – Purple (NO)

It was so emotional to see these special talents go, but the votes sealed their fates. Even the judges admitted this, and wished them the very best because, according to them, the contestants were special stars and would certainly go on to do great things.

We’re rooting for them too.

The remaining contestants performed again. This time, they’re giving everything they can to finish strong. The final race matters a lot.

So, what did our Y’ello Stars sing?

Ceaser performed Symphony by Clean Bandits and Zara.

Freeborn performed Khona by Uhuru and Mafikizhona, which she improvised with lyrics from Omawunmi’s Bottom Belle.

Gideon performed Mama Eh by Sean Tizzle.

FayFay performed This Is What You Came For by Rihanna and Calvin Harris

Dotti performed The Money by Olamide and Davido.

Storm performed Get Up by DJ Tunes, Flash and Sarz.

Whew, chile, it was the best experience ever.

At this point, anyone of the contestants could walk home with the prize. They’ve all given their all.

Let’s not forget:

The winners and the runners-up of the MTN Y’ello Star competition will go home with a lot of prizes.

An apartment with an in-built house studio, a Honda hrv, N5million cash and a recording contract. There is also the opportunity to record and produce songs in Berklee world-class studio in New York.

And now, the question remains:

WHO WILL BE THE ULTIMATE Y’ELLO STAR?

---

Yes! We’re back again with another juicy recap of the hottest reality show on TV right now, MTN Y’ello Star. It became clear with this past weekend’s shows that the contestants have been getting top-notch training in the Y’ello Hub because they all came through with powerhouse vocals. Let’s get into it.

Week 3 started with the contestants singing their renditions of iconic highlife and folk songs.

All the contestants did the best they could but in the end, it was up to the judges to give their scores.

By the end of the night, the contestant leader board was displayed with their scores based on their scores in the 2 gala shows so far.

No surprise who the top 2 were. They gave the best performances of the night.

And then, the bottom 5:

The contestants were informed that they still had one more chance to impress the judges the next night.

Sunday night saw the contestants perform a mix of pop and RnB hits from artists like John Legend, Rihanna, and Alicia Keys.

After a night of full of improved performances, Melody, Rael, Dave Willz, Uzezi, and G-Isaac became the first 5 contestants in MTN Y’ello Star to be put up for exclusion. All five of them need your votes to stay in the competition.

To vote for G-Isaac, Uzezi, Dave Willz, Melody and Rael Text “VOTE 001”, “VOTE 003”, “VOTE 008”, “VOTE 011” “VOTE 012” to 50061 respectively on MTN and 9MOBILE networks at N30 naira per text.

Voting will end on Wednesday evening. The contestant who gets excluded at the next gala will no longer be able to perform at live shows but will remain in the Y’ello Hub and continue learn alongside the remaining contestants.

Day after day, the contestants in the MTN Y’ello Star competition are waxing stronger in their dedication to both the craft and the business side of music.

This week, the contestants put many of the things they were being taught to good use. They had a business masterclass on the concept of Resonance, taught by Barry Van Zyl of the Henley Business School.

They also had a Vocal masterclass where they discussed the rudiments of Enhancing Tonal Quality. This showed very much in the mesmerizing performances they gave the audience.

Every contestant brought their A-game. This performance is what determines who stays and who is nominated for elimination, and you bet nobody wants to be put up for elimination.

So, how did our Y’ello Stars do?

Dotti performed Just The Two of Us by Bill Withers. He got 18.3 points.

Freeborn came on by It Must Have Been Love by Roxette. She got 19 points.

Storm performed I Got You by James Brown. He got 14.3 points.

Ceaser’s performed Halleluyah by Jeff Buckley. He got 17.6 points

Gideon performed Your Smile by Tjan. He got 19 points.

David Garland performed Promises by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith. He got 16.3 points.

FayFay Diamond performed All Of Me by John Legend. She got 17.1 points.

Oiza and Meyi performed Playing Games by Summer Walker. They got 16.5 points.

Jesse performed Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye. He got 14 points.

G Isaac performed 7 Years by Lukas Graham. He got 14.5 points.

Each contestant acknowledged that the other contestants had their own unique features, but this didn’t stop them from bringing their own uniqueness to the stage.

Let’s not forget:

The contestants will be scored on a 20 point scale, and the total score of the contestants will be the average of the judges total score. That is, 60 ÷ 3. Five contestants with the lower score will be put up for elimination.

So, who got into the next round and who needs saving?

At the top of the leaderboard, we have Freeborn and Ceaser

And now the Bottom 5:

• Oiza and Meyi

• G Isaac

• David Garland

• Jesse

• Storm

To vote for Jesse, Oiza and Meyi, Storm, G Isaac and David Garland, text “VOTE 006”, “VOTE 014”, “VOTE 007”, “VOTE 001” “VOTE 010” to 50061 respectively.

Voting lines are open from 8pm on Sunday to 12pm on Wednesday. Available to MTN and 9Mobile subscribers.

How can you vote for your favourite contestants? Click here for how to go about it:

Voting lines are open from 8pm on Sunday to 12pm on Wednesday. Available to MTN and 9Mobile subscribers.

Major takeaway from the show:

The hosts, Tobi Bakre and Hilda B asked an important question: What is the cut-off mark for a celebrity in the music world? That is, what metric does a singer have to pass before being considered “blown”?

Here’s how the judges answered:

Olisa Adibua: The cut off for celebrity is when the audience laps up your song, when there is a hunger for an anticipated release. Getting to this point needs quality in terms of songwriting, production, and your team.

Banky W: A hit song that the general public sings along to is also a sign of being blown. But this consistency has to be maintained with more quality.