VOM TALENT SEARCH EP
En'Duata
MAASAI DREAM
En'Duata
Official EP
Three winners out of 89 eager contestants share their dreams on latest Afropop EP by Voice of Maasai. Nai Yohana, Jonas Eliya and Lamayani Tangwai's convictions are rooted in Maasai traditions and spiritual love as their vocals unite to create this uplifting album fusing Gospel and Chakacha, a traditional music and dance style of the Swahili people of coastal Kenya and Tanzania. The inspired lyrics paired with composer Alex Lobulu's visceral rhythms will have your hips swaying and conversations playing.
EP includes 4 songs:
En'Duata ft Nai Yohana, Jonas Eliya, Lamayani Tangwai, Pendo Moringe
Enkai Torikoyoki ft Nai Yohana from Narakawo
Ainoto Nanu Olchore ft Jonas Eliya from Lobosiret
Kanyoo Naarishe Enyoroto Engai ft Lamayani Tangwai from Lobosiret
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Recording Details
Dream was the theme, or unifying concept, for the collaboration between Alex Lobulu, Nai Yohana, Jonas Eliya, Lamayani Tangwai and Pendo Moringe. The vocalists wrote one group song and each wrote their own song that encapsulates their essence and individual dreams. Alex provided vocal guidance and the composition, Pendo provided mentoring and vocal support. A specific, relevant, and inspiring theme, the vocalists share their dreams through music. Lyric translations are included with music download
Jonas Eliya
This opportunity was a dream
I had to reach the Maasai community as a representative for them
To be a war hero holding a spear, a sword, a mic,
to fight for our land that was taken
Nai Yohana
I thank God for giving me this opportunity
through Voice of Maasai
To give a Maasai a voice to share
about the love we have in our community
The love of helping each other
By doing this we show true love
Lamayani Tangwai
I want to express the dream that is in my heart
That I have had for many years
Which will become a blessing to me
To become a great singer
And to be able to reach the whole world
And learn what is good
And what other nations are doing
Pendo Moringe
My dream is to be a help to our community,
especially the Maasai youth
I will be their spokesperson
Let’s leave the bad things
that we copy from other communities
Let’s hold on and take care of the good things that exist in our traditions
Serengetidipity Story
I crafted 2024 with a tickling theme of Dream, a guiding phrase to help us reveal new layers of our studio, our label, and ourselves. Our first talent search in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region Tanzania, far surpassed our dream of going straight to the people as part of the solution to bridge the gap between opportunities and realities.
Eighty-nine eager contestants auditioned throughout Lobosiret, Narakowa and Kimotorok, all swelling with community support and excitement. Some shuffled in out of curiosity, others walked great distances to compete, but the majority responded to our call for talent with pre-registration and preparation.
Contestants were asked to perform the following three criteria to help the judges determine vocal abilities, range, pitch, harmonization, timing, interpersonal skills and other essentials.
1) freestyle song of their choosing w/out music
2) sing common hymn with pre-arranged music
3) improvise a song to pre-arranged music
From here, training and mentoring were arranged for the amateur vocalists. Alex calmly applied his years of practice and professionalism to take the appropriate time to prepare the artists for the upcoming recording session at the new studio. He rounded-up Pendo Moringe to assist with group practice, cultural negotiations and studio rehearsals. His excellence was felt by all, soothing any nerves of the newcomers.
His profoundly multitalented character is a true gift when it comes to keeping an open-mind and adapting to new situations. Acutely applying his interpersonal skills with his musical gifts, his creativity flourished in composing an integrated, uniquely balanced and highly rhythmic East African sound with the new recruits.
Accepting one another's differences is part of existence, the path to peace, the door to a multitude of opportunities that continue to allow us all new friendships, new understandings, new travel, new business, and new dreams.
All contestants were given a fair shot in being selected as one of 10 finalists that proceeded onto the winners challenge for a chance at the grand prize package; profile on VOM, media interviews, transportation stipend, award certificates, medal and our sweet recording package that includes mentoring and publishing.
Judges scrutinized, noted and laughed their way through the productions of gifted vocalists and other comics, dancers and performers in their own right.
Day 1 auditions hosted in Lobosiret resulted in 4 finalists, day 2 in Narakawo resulted in 3 finalists and day 3 on Kimotorok resulted in 3 finalists, all received food and transportation stipend to attend winners round in Lobosiret on day 4.
The final 10 arrived to Lobosiret by 9:30 AM to kick-off the winners round. Micro-expressions were a bit different this day as the winners package was in close grasp but only 3 could win. Fidgeting and stiffness subsided as VOM team invited the contestants to do something natural, like jump, leap, or yell, which helped everyone laugh and loosen up.
After another full day of audtions, representing the best of Simanjiro, the winners were announced and celebrations began:
Jonas Eliya from Lobosiret
Nai Yohana from Narakawo
Lamayani Tangwai from Lobosiret
Of course none of this would've been possible without the help of our amazing dream team. Special recognition to VOM VIP for their unflinching commitments and seeing this vision to life, a special thanks to all the men and women of the community with distinguished acknowledgements going to:
Producer/Organizer/Musical Composer/Instructor/Judge:
Alex Lobulu
Community Facilitator/Radio:
Ting'ide Olopano
Community Facilitator/Registration/Judge:
Pendo Moringe
Radio:
Orkonerie FM Radio staff
Spirit Captain/Organizer:
Judy Lobulu
Photographer:
John Daved
MC:
Barnabas
Sponsor/Content/Reporting/Arusha HQ:
Jessey Jansen
The power of collaboration and teamwork is demonstrated time and time again and we hope this competition will inspire more talent and fans to become part of our incredible community.
Read more:
VOM Talent Search Surpassed Expectations
Most Ambitious Project Yet VOM Talent Search
Album Art by Jessey Jansen Inspiration
Enduata is a story of gumption and big ideas. From dusty bomas to a doorway of dreams, three amateur vocalists set way to advance their skills and produce an album as result of winning VOM Talent Search 2024 in Simanjiro Tanzania.
The album art conveys a sense of new opportunities, discovery and transition. Bright colors fused with bold graphics carry the energy, pride and enthusiasm of all who were part of this unique and special celebration. One of my most ambitious projects yet, I am beaming with happiness as a result of this community-scaled event where some participants walked for miles to audition their talent.
~Jessey Jansen
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Really Cool Art
Limited edition (5) artwork made from vibrant layers of cut Neenah paper, numbered and signed by Jessey Jansen.
Inner Circle of Collectors receives exclusive art, password protected access to full music catalog, lyric translations and more!