Tusker Project Fame 5: Allan not So Lucky as Doreen is On the Chopping Board Yet Again

The search for East Africa’s newest super star continues unabated in the region’s undisputed premier talent search, Tusker Project Fame season 5.  After dangling onto the academy by a thread through a string of consecutive nominations, Uganda’s Allan Roy Sekiranda finally succumbed to the axe alongside Kenya’s Eunice Guttu on the Saturday Eviction Night.

The two were lucky enough however to have the opportunity earlier last week to record their original compositions, which will feature in a compilation album that will be produced by Universal Music Group.  The album, which features tracks by the top ten contestants in the current season of Tusker Project Fame, will be launched towards the end of the month of July 2012.
Eight contestants now remain in the running for the top prize – a KShs 5 million cash prize from East African Breweries Limited, and a one year recording deal worth KShs 10 million from Universal Music Group. 

For Kenya’s Doreen Nyawira and Steve Homes, Southern Sudan’s Nancy Chan and Burundi’s Samantha Nyezimana, it will be a week of mixed feelings as they stare possible eviction in the face this coming Saturday. Doreen was crowned the ‘Probation Princess’ by TPF Host Dr. Mitch and it will be interesting to see whether her luck and seeming popularity will keep her in contention.

The four were placed on probation, Sunday evening by Tusker Project Fame Judges Ian, Hermes and Juliana, after solo performances under the unique theme “Independence”.  
While Steve’s  performance of  Louis Armstrong’s “It’s a wonderful world” received a standing ovation from the audience and fairly good reviews from the judges, his inclusion on the probation list came as a surprise and disappointment to many who felt that he had delivered the song brilliantly.  
The judges were unanimous that Doreen had made remarkable improvement, as captured in her performance of John Lennon’s classic “Imagine”.  Her performance however failed to match up to the competition, earning her a fourth stint on the probation list.  Could be that she’s taking over the mantle from evicted Allan?

The judges felt that Samantha and Nancy failed to deliver on Lucky Dube’s “Different Colours” and Miriam Makeba’s “Aluta Continua” respectively, in an edition which clearly had the audience most polarized over their decisions.
Kenya’s Ruth Matete and Burundi’s Joe Irankunda have so far managed to stay off the probation list, since the Tusker Project Fame kicked off early last month.  The other two contestants in the running – Uganda’s Sharon and Rwanda’s Jackson Kalima have both been on probation once. All four delivered landmark performances on Sunday night, earning the approval of the tripartite judges, the faculty and studio audience.
With the fifth edition of Tusker Project Fame in mid-stream, it has become increasingly evident that the efforts of the Academy’s Faculty are bearing fruit, as attested by the judges and fans.  The faculty comprises Principal Hellen Mtawali, Voice Coach Kavutha Asiyo, Dance and choreography coach Edu Ooro and Music Director Robert RKay Kamanzi.

Here’s the video to the third eviction night which saw Eunice and Allan out…