Zambia: Dreams Team Picks 16 for Showdown

FINALLY the Dreams show has reached its peak and the top 16 contenders have been selected. The 16 were selected from 20 participants, however, sad it is for the pruned four; the prize of K150 Million means one should step up their game.

The contestants had to perform duets because as TK Siyandi (famed producer) Dreams judge says, an artiste cannot be judged only by how well they sing alone.

"A lot of musicians sing what they are comfortable with but a hit can be any genre so we need people who can adapt."

TK adds that some contestants did not do a good job but there were some who had always been underestimated yet managed to surprise people.

Gemima Chuulu "Scarlet", the only female judge says that she is looking for contestants who cannot only sing but who are ready to listen, learn and work.

The question viewers have probably been itching to ask is how one can endure breaking someone's dream.

"You get used to their faces and some times I wish they had done a better job but it is a lot of money and you have to work for it," Scarlet says

Bubbly 24-year-old Nakita Katilungu was one of the lucky contestants to breeze through to the next round. Her happiness was evident and electric.

"I am so happy because this round is practically where the show begins, we get the band, the back up and the whole full works."

Nakita adds that she knows the competition will be intense so even her expectations of herself have risen.

The number of male contestants is low and it went lower with the elimination of 23-year-old, Limbikani Mtonga .

Limbikani says his downfall was the fact that he did not learn the lyrics to the song he was given, citing lack of confidence.

"The major lesson I learnt was that being a musician is not just about your voice, you need to be sharp, I blame my mistakes but I will continue singing," he insisted.

The contestants who have no form of communication with the outside world turn to each other and friendships are formed but when eliminations happen and then you lose a mate it shakes you.

Nakita admits that it is sad losing people who one has gotten close to but she says she has tried to avoid getting too close to other contestants.

Twenty two year old Henry Mwaba whose duet partner was eliminated (he made it)shares her sentiments adding that it is not easy to see someone you are close to sad no matter how glad you are to make it.

The judges have been called mean by some viewers but at the end of the day it is for the contestants' good.

And Nakawala Simwanza feels that despite being booted out, she learnt a lot from the judges and she says that she will use all she learnt in her singing career.

"I have no hard feelings at all, I didn't expect to make it because to be quite honest, the competition is tough but I will continue singing." The 29-year-old says that contestants should listen to the judges.

The contestants would do well to heed her advice because now is when the show gets intense, their fate does not lie in the judges hands alone but Zambia.

So whoever thought the judges were harsh will probably realise that the harshest critic is the viewer and the person who will buy the record.

Owas Mwape sums it up properly:

"We are looking for artistes who can deliver where art is concerned, especially performaces and they should look at music as an industry and not as a by the way thing."

Owas adds that rehearsing is vital and judging from the eliminated contestants comments, this is a vital step to elevating yourself.

