To discover and nurture young gospel music talents, the House of Freedom (HOF) has launched the Rising Stars Gospel Talent Hunt.
According to the Project Coordinator, Emmanuel Etim, the Rising Stars Gospel Talent Hunt is a platform aimed at celebrating faith, music and community, while providing aspiring gospel artistes with the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“The talent hunt is more than just a competition, it is a movement to uncover hidden talents and elevate them to new heights. Inspired by the vision of Dr. Tony Rapu, Rising Stars is open to individuals from all backgrounds that have passion for gospel music. The competition, which will span 12 to 16 weeks, promises to be a transformative journey for participants,” he declared.
The competition is structured into several key stages such as Online Auditions where contestants will submit a one-minute video of themselves singing a Nigerian gospel song on Instagram, tagging @hof_talenthunt. The videos with the highest engagement (likes, comments and shares) will proceed to the next round.
Physical Auditions: Shortlisted participants will perform live before a panel of judges for a chance to make it into the Top 20. The Top 20 contestants will compete for a place in the Top 10. The Top 10 will battle for a spot in the final five. The Top 5 contestants will compete for the ultimate prize, with one winner emerging as the Rising Star.
Winners will receive life-changing prizes such as cash rewards, recording contracts, and opportunities to perform at major gospel events. The prizes include ₦3 million for the grand winner, ₦2 million for the 2nd position and ₦1 million for the 3rd placed winner. Additionally, winners will receive mentorship from renowned gospel artists and industry experts, helping them refine their skills and navigate the gospel music industry.
However, to ensure fairness and excellence, a distinguished panel of judges including gospel icons, Mike Abdul, Tosin Martins, and Lala will oversee the competition. Auditors from the HOF Music Board will maintain transparency, while industry professionals will guide contestants through their musical journey. Two live shows will be held during the competition, giving fans the chance to witness the rise of Nigeria’s next gospel music stars.
Expressing his excitement, the visionary behind the initiative, Dr. Tony Rapu, stated: “The Rising Stars Gospel Talent Hunt is not just a competition, it’s a celebration of faith, music and community. We are committed to uncovering hidden talents and creating opportunities for growth in gospel music.”
Pastor Dele Balogun highlighted that the competition is designed to foster both musical and spiritual growth, with contestants receiving guidance on leadership and navigating the industry. He added that the talent hunt is backed by sponsors, local businesses and community organizations whose support will ensure its success.