Right now the Nigerian TV screen is littered with a few music TV reality shows that are nothing but borrowed concept from international ones like X-Factor, Pop Idols and others, but with Special Icon, the world may just be set to give Nigeria a thumbs up for being innovative.
Special Icon is a music television reality competition involving musically gifted special (blind, cripple and/or lame) contestants (derogatorily called disabled) living in a house called “The Conservatoire”, managed by a director, and various teachers to groom them in several musical disciplines. Once a week, the contestants have to face a live studio audience in front of whom they will sing the songs they have prepared during the week before, as well as recapping their trials in “The Conservatoire” from the past week.
The live show will often feature special guest stars whom some of the contestants will have an opportunity to sing with. Based on the judges’ verdicts and viewer voting, the contestants with the weakest performance are dropped. The eventual winner is awarded a brand new car, record deal and cash prize.
Special Icon which is a noble idea from Splendor International Media, a fast growing, Nigerian entertainment outfit, according to Godwin Okwuelum is borne out of the company’s desire to change the public’s orientation about the physically and ably special people in the society and demonstrate to the public that those that have talents for singing among them can become music superstars like the likes of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and even our own Yinka Aiyefele.
“This is proudly a Nigerian event. Once again, we want to demonstrate to Nigerians and the world that we are a good people and a great nation. In the entire world, there has never been any musical TV reality show for the physically challenged. We are not trying to pity these people because we see them as normal and they have abilities like everyone else. I will encourage everyone, particularly corporate organisations who want to be part of this to visit Splendormagazineonline.com to get full details. By the time this show begins in a couple of weeks, I bet you, reality TV shows will never be the same again,” Mr. Okwuelum promised.
?