The sixth season of ‘The Dream Players’ talent competition was held in Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Motor Bike Show 2013. The two day event saw a total of 14 contestants both singers and music bands perform before a big mall audience. The audience then voted for their favorite performance/performer via a state-of-the-art touchscreen voting system provided by MyLikes, and also directly on www.thedreamplayers.com.
Tempo covered the two day grand event, and after a tough battle, the votes were tallied and Khalipha + Ayman B (featuring Ahmed M) emerged as the winners of The Dream Players Season 6!
THE WINNERS!
Khalipha and Ayman B, students of the American University of Sharjah, clinched the title of the winners of Dream Players season 6 after delivering an outstanding four tracks of rap, all original. They called in their friend Ahmed Mekki, to support them on stage.
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID:
“The Dream Players is a much needed platform in the UAE. Like The FLEX it gives emerging and aspiring talent a change to express their creativity and share their talent with the potential fans. I was pleasantly surprised with this years talent and set up.” – Sadiece Holland, Founder and Executive Producer of How We Flex, a Music and Entertainment focused TV platform, that exposes local talent.
“The competition truly was a platform for musicians of all ages and backgrounds to showcase their talent. Each act brought great showmanship to the stage beyond the level you would expect from amateur musicians. It was a wonderful forum to discover new music and musicians of Abu Dhabi. Well done!” – Nerses Sanassian, a professional audio engineer certified from the Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles who has worked with Jessie J, Flo Rida and Asking Alexandria at Beta Records California.
“It’s always fun to be involved as a judge and see the up and coming as well as established talent here in the UAE. Some amazing lady singers from the US Southern states. I thought the level of talent was very good.” – Michelle Nickelson, Managing Director of MENA CineFinance, SPC, and Co-Chairwoman of Women in Film and television, UAE
Sana Bagersh, The Dream Players Executive Producer, said: “The Dream Players has been growing by leaps and bounds, and there’s no question that the caliber of talent has also been going up. I was impressed by the diversity of genres and singing styles. This season I would say that the women singers were in absolute top form.”
Dorian “Paul D” Rogers, the show’s emcee, and ‘Articulate Café’s maestro:
“As with everything that BrandMoxie organises and Tempo supports I was blown away by the professionalism and creativity, from concept to execution. This unique competition is priceless to emerging performance talent that were diverse in age, nationality, genre of music, and talent. I was honoured to emcee the event and can’t wait for Season 7!”
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
On Khalipha + Ayman B feat. Ahmed Mekki
You are Fricking EPIC!!!!! – Myriam
On MER (Middle East Records)
Wishing you guys all the best! – Alfred Toby
On Myriam Taleb
Myriam you are amazing! so proud of you – Zahra
On Jae Franklin
Way to go Jae.. !! Beautiful and a very soulful voice. All the best to you! – Kim
On Allan Sunga
GUDLUCK!!! show them what you’ve got… win or loose it’s ok the important thing is you’ve gone this far… one of the finalist on this contest is truly a blessing from God… gambate kudasai!!! – Alicia Sunga
On Zainab Hafiz
WHOA, Zainab has an amazing voice!! It is melodic and sultry. She covers many ranges with skill. She welcomes you and your ears in and you are not disappointed, EVER! – Marcia
THE JUDGING PROCESS
Contestants were informed that the judging would be based 75% on the judges’ votes, and 25% on social media votes.
These were the results:
JUDGE #1: Sadiece Holland
1. Khalipha + Ayman B
2. Kim Glaspie
3. Alivia Muhammad
JUDGE #2: Michelle Nickelson
1. Jae Franklin
2. Kim Glaspie
3. Alivia Muhammad
JUDGE #3: Nerses Sanassian
1. Khalipha + Ayman B
2. Jae Franklin
3. Nicole Raj
JUDGE #4: Eve
1. Satirah Grant
2. Kim Glaspie
3. Zainab Hafiz
Tempo was so impressed with the quality of the performances of all the participants and expands its award to The Dream Players. It hereby extends an invitation to all of the “Judges Choices” to be interviewed in upcoming issues of Tempo.
