The Lagos auditions will take place on November 9 and 10 at Bamako Studios

After a second season that saw Mercy Chinwo emerge the current Nigerian Idol, the show returns for its third season and steps up with Afrobeat legend, Femi Kuti, as judge.

Kuti who is known to be very conservative, TV shy, and rarely leaves the Shrine save for select performances in Nigeria and world tours, joins other judges, Charly Boy’s alter ego-Linda, Yinka Davies, and Jeffrey Daniels.

The Project Manager of Nigeria Idols, Tiwa Medubi, said, “It’s a whole new package and cycle this season .We keep bringing in new twists and turns to make the show more interesting, two brand new cities made the audition train and most exciting is our own living legend, three-time Grammy nominee and Afrobeat king; Femi Kuti as one of our judges.”

“Femi’s input in this season hopefully will definitely take the show to new frontiers, we are excited!” he said.

In his response, Kuti said, “I am honoured to be part of Nigerian Idol, a show that discovers talents across the country in music. Saying I love music is like saying snow is white. I am beyond passionate about music which is why I single-handedly thought myself to play four instruments. I play the Sax twelve hours in a day training myself to get better. So an opportunity to be able to impart on the lives of the future of Nigerian music is one I will never say no to.”

He added further, “I was very proud when I watched Mercy Chinwo the last winner give a remarkable performance of Felas Zombie when I was a guest judge on the show last season. Many times you see people murder the songs or over act with the moves and make the man look like a caricature but she got it just right with guidance from the coach and judges. I’d like to be part of moulding many more talents with Nigerian Idol, this year.”

Meanwhile, auditions for Nigerian Idol continue at specific locations in Port Harcourt, Owerri and Benin. Lagos auditions will take place on November 9 and 10 at Bamako Studios. This season’s prize is valued at $100,000 (N15 million) and the elements are N7.5 million cash, a recording contract worth N7.5million, and an SUV.