The announcement made during a media event held at the MTN Rooftop Event Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, came almost 20 months after it failed to tags off as planned.
In January, 2024, Ultima Studios announced NAS, a pop-culture talent discovery shows to begin in April 2025, but the project was botched due to lack of sponsor and support from stakeholders.
This year, it received the backing of Telecom giant, MTN Nigeria, in partnership with Ultima Studios and ONErpm.
Celebrated producers, Andre Vibez, Puffy Tee, Sarz and P. Prime will be the judge for the show.
For the show, participants audition by singing using about the 10 tunes the producers put on the website nextafrobeatsstar.com or can join by texting NAS to 13013 using an MTN line.
300 participants will be selected and 48 of them will make it to the next state.
24 persons from the 48 will be voted and the number will be reduced to 12. The 12 will be split into group of four, with three each attached to each of the four judges. One contestant will emerge from each group and move to the final.
The winner will receive a $100,000 music deal made possible by a collaboration between ONErpm and U-Records. The remaining four finalists will also walk away with music deals ranging from $25,000 to $75,000.
Speaking during the unveiling, , Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said: “Next Afrobeats Star is a bold initiative to discover and elevate the next global icon of Afrobeats. At MTN, we believe in progress, not just as a brand stance but a purpose.
“We believe that every Nigerian, regardless of background, location, or education, deserves a chance to be connected, seen, heard, and celebrated. That is why we are taking this message to every corner of Nigeria, from the bustling cities to the most remote villages so that no youth is left behind. Because talent knows no boundaries, and neither should opportunity.
Today, Afrobeats is a global force, filling stadiums, topping charts, and inspiring millions. But the journey is far from over. NAS is our commitment to the future of this movement. It is a platform where raw talent meets real opportunity. Where the rhythm of Nigeria meets the reach of the world.”
Executive Producer, NAS, Olufemi Ayeni- Nigerians should expect something massive, bigger and better than any other music reality show that ever witnessed in Nigeria. This is our own creation for Afrobeats.
Afrobeats is not just about voice and the four judges and mentors are the beat makers who have produced some of the biggest music in the world.
This will be streamed live to the whole world.
The prize and recording contract is not just for the winner. Top three will have a recording.
The live audition will start in September 2025.
When asked about Project Fame, Ayeni who is also the creator of NAS, said: “We created Project Fame. The sponsor decided not to sponsor it anymore and we need big sponsors but we didn’t push too much because we had already been pushing for Next Afrobeats Star. We left Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and we are doing Family Feud instead of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
On why NAS failed to take off in 2024, Ayeni said: “It didn’t take off because we didn’t have a sponsor. We have been on this journey for about five years ago and it has come to stay with the support of MTN
After a successful run with flagship shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Project Fame and Family Feud, prominent production company Ultima Studios is back with a pop-culture talent discovery show dubbed, The Next Afrobeats Star.
