Coca-Cola Rated Next: Excitement as probation contestants survive axe

Apr 29, 2014

The Coca-Cola Rated Next Sing It competition has taken a pretty interesting twist, thanks to the heavily-coveted jackpot of sh50m and a recording contract with Swangz Avenue.

By Nigel Nassar

The Coca-Cola Rated Next Sing It competition has taken a pretty interesting twist, thanks to the heavily-coveted jackpot of sh50m and a recording contract with Swangz Avenue.

Every week brings forth unprecedented fun and excitement. And to the contestants, it is getting tighter and raising adrenaline levels so high.
 

That was the state of events last Sunday at the second live show, held at the National Theatre. The live shows, too, come with pomp, glitz and all. Still, for the contestants, it is always judgment day.
 

The show promptly kicked off at 7:00pm with the official host, Urban TV’s Denzel Mwiyeretsi, ambling onto stage and calling upon the contestants.

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Joshua Rukundo, Lillian Apio and Charles Ssekitoleko

The hopefuls, dressed to the proverbial nines, swaggered onto the stage, and performed to the best of their abilities.
 

Last week saw three contestants go on probation. The three: Winnie Nakanwagi, Joshua Rukundo and Jim “Pages” Lubwama, knew they had to impress. They knew, at the back of their minds, that it was judgment day, and they had to lift the ante in order to save themselves.
 

Last week saw the hopefuls perform indigenous songs by Uganda’s music greats, but this week saw them spread their wings to a much bigger task. They spread their wings across the face of the African continent, and it was indeed a hefty task for all, let alone those on probation.

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Eseri Nabulime, Lillian Nabuuma and James Lubwama

First on stage was Sharifah Kayondo, who performed Oliver Ngoma’s “Adia” and was followed by Pages. Though on probation, it didn’t stop him from doing well with Ringo Madlingozi’s Sondela. Actually, the judges: Siima Sabiti, Sharpe Ssewali and Benon Mugumbya, gave him a standing ovation.
 

The towering tall and elegant Eseri Nabulime performed Monique Seka’s “Missouwa” before Lillian Nabuuma nailed legendary Oliver Mtukudzi’s ‘Todi.”
 

The judges, slouched in their seats, knew that they had a workload slung over their shoulders, as everyone seemed to nail it. Hudson performed Papa Wemba’s “Rail”, as Winnie, who too was on probation, went to South Africa and did Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s “Makoti”.
 

Thereafter, Ruth Grace Namatovu sauntered onto the stage amidst chanting from the audience, and did what she does best – wow them with Mafikizolo’s “Ndihamba Nawe.” It’s just that it wasn’t her best singing day, although she had the fans ululating.
 

Charles Sekitoleko did Papa Wemba’s “Show Me the Way”, while Lillian Apio sang Angelique Kidjo’s “Wombo Lombo”.
 

The night culminated in Joshua Rukundo performing San Fan Thomas’s “African Typic Collection.”
 

This is when the surprise of the night came on, as the judges, upon being impressed by the performances of those on probation, decided not to send anyone home.

But then again, at the end of the show, five contestants were put on probation. Jim Pages and Winnie still didn’t survive the list, along with Sharifah, Lillian Nabuuma and Lillian Apio.
 

The exciting drama continues. Stay glued on Urban TV and know how to save your best contestant.


 

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