The Voice Nigeria Kicks Off!

Episode 1 Recap - The premiere of #TheVoiceNigeria was quite an emotional episode.

The show opened with our elegant host Ik Osakioduwa ushering us into a montage of our impressive and highly experienced coaches talking about what the show is all about! According to them, The Voice Nigeria is not about looks, status, religion etc but like 2baba put it: “Pata! Pata! Na the voice, na e matter!”
We were then introduced to how the Blind Audition works by the beautiful Stephanie Coker – Co-host and V-Reporter.
The Coaches then kicked off the very first episode of #TheVoiceNigeria with a collaborated performance of 2baba’s club banger – “Implication”. Each coach gave us a little of their style with a unique take on different parts of the song. This definitely got the audience on their feet and moving!
It was time for the season’s first talent, 17-year old law student from Akwa-Ibom, Emem, who despite her father being against her decision to drop law; she pursued her love for music. And with the support of her sister and Mother, she arrived on The Voice Nigeria to make her dreams come true. Her rendition of Waje’s “No Be You” got all four coaches to turn for her – the very first 4-turns of the season!
Emem fought back tears as she was taken aback by the coaches’ enthusiasm for her performance. Waje admits that it was one of the hardest songs of her career and as she put it: “Na my song. She kill am!” The other coaches proceeded to make their case to lure her to their team but at the end, Emem opted for #TeamWaje.

Next up was 30-year-old Zoology graduate, Tobore Ezekiel who, according to his friend, can win over any woman with his voice. V-Reporter Stephanie Coker can perhaps attest to that. Tobore took the stage, singing R-Kelly’s “If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time” and at the very last minute, moved 2baba to turn for him – automatically putting him in #Team2baba.Tobore couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome!
Benjamin “Bhen” from Edo State, who, apart from music, does runway modeling and fashion illustrations. He was optimistic that the coaches will love his high pitch vocal style but unfortunately, his rendition of Justin Bieber’s “As Long As You Love Me” got him no turns, however Waje recognized him as her ex-back up singer.
Following up after Benjamin was the very confidant 28-year-old Lagosian, A’rese who is no stranger to the stage, given that she’s a musical theatre performer. Ironically, she admits to having stage fright but she was determined to face up to her fears with Adele’s “Sky Fall”. Timi was first to turn, followed by Patoranking and finally Waje. 2baba immediately expressed regret for not turning.
A’rese was clearly overwhelmed, even Patoranking had to remind her to breath. They all proceeded to pitch for her to join their team but A’rese went with ‘girl-power’ #TeamWaje.
24-year-old Student and part-time hair stylist, Gabriel Songs had to overcome a troubling childhood with a runaway father but with the support of his single mother, his performance of Nick Jonas’s “Jealous” got him the second 4-turns of the night, starting with 2baba.
Backstage, an overwhelmed Gabriel later dropped down to his mother’s feet in tear of joy – even our V-Reporter, Stephanie Coker could not hold back the water works.
Up next was 22-year-old student and singer, Cici from Edo State.  After searching for her purpose in life, her gift in music was finally discovered in church. Now at #TheVoiceNigeria, Cici was determined to make her father proud by singing Owawumi’s “I Go Go” but according to the coaches, she played it safe and so got no turns from them. But Cici’s seemed more optimistic than ever! That’s the spirit!
20-year-old student, Elizabeth’s musical experience is a far from extensive – with a few written songs and a couple of performances at church. But Elizabeth is optimistic and loves the idea of being judge solely on her voice. Her rendition of Jessie J’s “Price Tag” was enough to get her into #TeamPatoranking.
And the final talent of the night was 22-year old Vicky from Bayelsa – who, too, is no stranger to the stage. She started doing vocals in studios to help her mother make ends meet but she came on #TheVoiceNigeria to change her fate by shining on stage. And boy did she shine with her take on Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing”.
Vicky could not believe her ear as the coaches began a pitching battle over her. Timi told her that she made the Angels look bad; 2baba said he and her could be victorious together while Patoranking told her she was already a star but he wanted to make her a superstar! In the end, it was #TeamTimi that captured the ‘songbird’ Vicky.
So in the end #TeamWaje was left with two, #Team2baba with two, #TeamTimi with one and #TeamPatoranking with one.
Don’t forget to tune in next Sunday at 19:00 WAT to see the teams take further shape – and for all the surprises and drama as #TheVoiceNigeria continue!
 The Voice Nigeria airs at 19:00 WAT on Africa Magic Showcase DStv Channel 151 and on Africa Magic Urban DStv Channel 153. Join the conversation on The Voice Nigeria Facebook page, as well as on Twitter and Instagram via @TheVoiceNaija.

The Voice Nigeria is proudly sponsored by Airtel in association with Coca Cola.