16/06/2017
What is Imilonji Star Search????
Imilonji Star Search is a contest of great Port Elizabeth musicians that compete for a Recording worth a maximum of R250 000 that includes the following:-
• A quality well- produced live music recording
• Professional album Mixing and mastering
• Professional photo shoot
• CD Packaging
• Musician Brand Development
• Music Video shoot
• EPK (Electronic Press Kit)
• Music Business Training
• Publishing
• PR and Marketing
• CD launch
• Media listening session
• Performance in E.C festivals such as: Ebubeleni Festival, Imilonji Music Summit etc.
Imilonji Star Search is a search for, and identification of excellence in young musicians, which is a precursor to the Imilonji Annual Summit to be held in the beginning of October. The Imilonji Summit is a three day summit where music industry role players and industry great minds will converge at Dopparoz in PE.
The summit's aim is to tackle issues affecting the music industry in the NMB in particular and the Eastern Cape Province in general and to look at effective ways we can grow the creative industry as a whole whilst celebrate and preserving the heritage of the music industry's fallen stars ensuring a better livelihood and well-being of living music legends.
Imilonji star Search component of Imilonji has been prompted by the developments of artist dissatisfaction that have been manifesting themselves in a number of protest actions by artists due to inadequate or lack of opportunities created by government and the private sector for the Creative Industries and also the generally poor state of arts and culture in and around the Bay. In this regard, creatives and Creative Industries SMMEs have decided to, by themselves develop a threefold programme that will:
a) Identify; reward and support youth excellence
b) Find ways to support practising artists especially the living legends
c) Honour the fallen artists
The Imilonji Star Search is adjudicated by the legendary Mr Sizwe Zako; the legendary Ms Nomhle Nkonyeni and PoeticSoul accompanied by the Radio personality Mr. Mafa Bavuma of UW-FM "BEE” IBreakfast Eyondlayo Ekuseni" as the host of the talent search.
Mr Sizwe Zako is a winner of MTN South African Music Award (Sama) Lifetime Achievement Award for production in project of great musicians such as Vuyo Mokoena, Ebony, Pastor Khaya Mayedwa, Rebecca Malope and Peter Mokoena to mention but a few. Mr Zako also is partnering with Imilonji by availing the studio that he has just launched and his expertise for the benefit of the youth who will have shown excellence at Imilonji Star Search
PoetiSoul is a multi-award winning young poet who has released a music and poetry album that is play-listed in national and community radio stations. She has been an arts activist who also has experience in radio.
Ms Nomhle Nkonyeni a multi-award winner as an actor and multi-award winner of many Life-Time Achievement awards. This arts veteran has landed roles in Mzansi; Tsha Tsha; queen mother on Mzansi Magic’s Igazi; Duma ka Ndlovu’s The Game; E.TV’s Scandal and many other TV and theatre productions.
Each of these great individuals brings unique elements to their team as judges. Poeticsoul, because she has been in the music industry as a physically blind artist, her blindness works as an advantage as she will be concentrating on the aspects of song presentation that have to do with how the song connects with the mind and soul of the audience. Mr Sizwe Zako ‘s contribution as a judge will be to primarily focus on technical and creative aspects of the delivery by contestants while the Legendary Ms Nkonyeni will be looking mostly at performance based aspects such as delivery; artistic aspects; and stage presence.
The Top Twelve of the Imilonji will record a tribute CD which will feature songs of fallen musicians with a touch of youthful creativity from contestants. These twelve will be the ambassadors of Imilonji that will be involved in many Imilonji activities and tours.
There will be a number of other prizes to be won by the Top 12 which will assist them in unlocking doors in the cut-throat music business. Below are a few benefits that the Top Twelve will receive:
• Will be featured in IMILONJI Tribute Album, a 13 track compilation CD which
• Performance at the Grahamstown Arts fest (July 2018)
• Performance at the Imilonji benefit concert to be held in Port Elizabeth (October 2017)
• Performance at Ebubeleni Music Festival Port Elizabeth (December 2017)
