Raising a voice for African talent
China extends its proven business models in the continent beyond infrastructure to providing a competition platform for young, ambitious musicians, Xing Wen reports.
Hunan Satellite TV has a long-standing tradition of producing sensational gender-based talent shows, such as Super Girls (2004), Super Boy (2007), Riding Wind, and Call Me by Fire. Building on this proven successful format, the TV station's international channel is now extending its reach to Africa with the launch of the new talent competition, Sing for Africa.
The male-only talent contest made an immediate impact, attracting over 500 participants to its recent open audition day at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Among the contestants was 22-year-old Shimon Kinyanjui, a content creator and model known for producing creative comedy sketches and lip-synch videos on Instagram and TikTok.
Encouraged by his followers to audition for the talent show, he reflects, "Joining the show is something I never thought I would ever do, and so far, I'm like, wow, this is fun, this is amazing."
