The trio of Ashafa Olushola Martins, Ayodele Olatunji and members of Oludare Cultural Group have emerged overall winners at the grand finale of the Ariya Repete Talent Hunt 2018 in the Fuji, Juju and Drumming categories.
The event took place on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Ashafa Olushola Martins got N2 million prize for emerging tops in the Fuji category, while Ayodele Olatunji a.k.a. Femi Bright also went home with N2 million cash prize after winning the Juju category while Oludare Cultural Group, led by a pregnant woman, Olubunmi Sadiq, came first in the drumming category and won N1 million cash prize. Consolation prizes ranging from N1m to N250,000.00 were given to first and second runners-up in all the three categories.
Speaking, Franco Maggi Maria, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc said: “As Nigeria’s first indigenous brewery, our pro-Nigerian orientation is evident in our various initiatives. The Ariya Repete roundtable and talent hunt is a reflection of our commitment to promoting the Nigerian brand and more specifically Yoruba culture especially through music.”
Thanking Goldberg, Olatunji, a National Diploma certificate holder from the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, said: “With this 2 million naira, I will buy some of the music instruments needed for my shows and make significant change in the life my family economic-wise.
Veterans like Juju maestro King Sunny Ade, Fuji Lords K1 The Ultimate, King Osupa Saheed and Taye Currency added spice to the event.
“I am impressed by the quality of talent displayed by the music acts discovered in Ariya Repete 2018 and can’t wait to see them excel in the music scene out there.” said Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout, Nigerian Breweries Plc.
The event was witnessed by Oyo State Commissioner of Information, Arts and Culture, Mr. Tayo Arulogun, Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Youth and Sport, Hon. Bolaji Repte, Nollywood Stars including Yemi Solade, Sanyeri, Wakili, Adedamola Olatunji, Dele Fagboyo the Anchor of Aajirebi and Odunlade Adekola who anchored the event.
The Ariya Repete, a yearly talent hunt is an initiative of Goldberg Lager Beer, a product of Nigerian Breweries Plc. It aims to discover, develop and promote talents in the indigenous Yoruba music of Fuji and Juju genres, including Drums, as a way of helping to preserve the Yoruba rich musical and cultural heritage. Ariya Repete returns March 2019.
