TIPTOPSTARS

Those who have witnessed the recording of the first two editions of the TV contest, aimed at selecting five talented singers to make up a gospel band can at least begin to know who these future stars will be. Relying on their individual talents, the 20 contestants have been convincing the audience and potential voters in their various rights. Even after the first recording, many were those who carved out their band. "The contest can end with this first recording. I have my band already drawn up," said one fan of the five he thought had performed best. This reporter was tempted to name his as well, for, the five were just too irresistibly good. But for one thing, all the young singers were convincing and one would quickly have the impression that the pre-selection was carefully done.

Perhaps the jury's comments have helped the audience to decode certain complexities that characterize singing. Via such remarks, they audience has understood how rich and enriched the musicians are. Also such comments as "To me, you're a professional singer", "A little bit more and you're perfect", "Your style is what many musicians are looking for and can't find", "even the artiste whose song you're interpreting is unable to perform the way you do" have been common from the chairperson of the jury, renowned gospel artiste Odile Ngaska and her team comprising of Papa Rolland Dipita, Terence Pharaltee aka T-Boy .Ngaska who is also Board chair of SOCAM (Cameroon's corporation in charge of music copyright issues) has been quite impressed that there are young people who would not only join them in valorizing songs of praise, but would do it in a spectacular manner.

The contestants have been interpreting popular gospels songs from renowned musicians including R.Kelly, Espoir 2000, and a host of others

Meanwhile, TV presenters will be put to task when Gopsel Musical 2010 finally goes on the airwaves. This is because the moderators have been doing their thing so nicely. "They are doing a great job and I must congratulate them on that," said Nforgwei Rogers, the initiator and pilot of the project.