Glo Battle of The Year Evolves Into 13-Episode Reality TV Series

BY FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

In line with its commitment to promoting the Nigerian entertainment industry and youth talent development across the country, telecommunications service provider, Globacom is unleashing the unlimited potential of Nigerian dancers and provides the platform for them to showcase their abilities on the global stage with the sponsorship of the world’s biggest dance reality television show, Glo Battle of the Year, in Nigeria.

The Battle of the Year is an annual international breakdancing competition that began in 1990. It has been regarded as the premier b-boying competition and the “World Cup of B-Boying”.

The dance reality show regional auditions kicked off on 30 November, 2021 in Kaduna, while subsequent regionals were also successfully held in Abuja on 4 December 2021, Enugu on 7 December 2021, Port Harcourt on 11 December 2021, Benin on 14 December 2021, and Lagos on 18 December 2021.

Thousands of budding dancers stormed all these various venues to showcase their dancing skills for the auditions with regional champions emerging, the quest to select the winner of the on-going Glo the Battle of the Year Nigeria is moving to a next phase.

At a media interactive session held in Lagos on Thursday, 30 December, Mr. Sola Mogaji, Senior Manager, Events and Sponsorship, Globacom revealed that a total of 1191 entries were received for the dance competition and after the rigorous auditions, the next steps would involve a dance mentorship programme for all regional winners that would be compete at the semi-finals and finals.

Mogaji disclosed that fans and judges present at the various venues of the regional auditions were delighted with dexterous dance moves, with local and international dance legends such as Poco Lee, Pinky Debbie, Izzy Odigie, Big Flo, Maxbuck, Dunamis, Franc Okwara, JC Jedor, Poxy (Cameroon), Gidnasty (USA), Menno (Netherlands) and Manuela (Germany) all took part and they are also set to feature at the next stage of the competition.

Some contestants at the regionals expressed their joy and appreciation at the opportunity to express their talent. Festus Kalu, who participated in the Enugu regional auditions, said he was a first time participant in a dance-focused contest. He expressed optimism that he would continue to pursue a dance career after the competition. 

“I saw the advert on Facebook and decided to come and try. I will love to open a dance studio if I win and pursue my dance career fully,” he said.

Judah Wilson, a dance instructor who participated in the Lagos auditions, said it was his first time auditioning and he did not know what to expect. He added that it would be awesome to make it to the finals so he could show the nation his full talent.

Another contestant at the Abuja auditions, Mariam Lawal, stated that she has been dancing since she was 10, and she is currently working as a dance teacher in a private secondary school in Kaduna.

“It will be awesome to make it to the semifinals and finals in Lagos. If I win, I would use the money to help the less privileged,” Mariam enthused.

Mogaji announced Globacom’s plans to condense the entire show including the finals into a 13-episode biggest dance reality television show —with collaborations from House of Royalty and Red Pepper Production— to be aired live on national cable and terrestrial TV platforms to Nigeria and global audience comes 5 February 2022.

Also speaking at the press conference, the CEO, House of Royalty, and Project Coordinator, Jolomi Kendaboh, noted that Glo Battle of the Year is the preliminary to the annual International Battle of the Year breakdance championship. 

The Battle categories include Crew Battle; Bboy 1 vs 1 Battle; BGirl 1 vs 1 Battle; Popping 1 vs 1 Battle; Locking 1 vs 1 Battle; Krump 1 vs 1 Battle and Afro Dance 1 vs 1 Battle.  

As the best dance crews and individuals in the country go head to head and battle each other to see who will emerge the winner of the Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria competition, among the mentors for the show would be renown Nigerian dancer and choreographer, Kaffy, and Bimbo Obafunwa. Others like energy god, Do2tun, Rapmania Tha X, Frank Okwara, Manuela Zamounda (Germany), Menno (Netherlands) and more would be playing key roles on the show.

Winners of the Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria will take home total prize money of N84 million and a rare opportunity to represent Nigeria at the global stage of the international competition in Japan later in the year. 

With a theme song for the Glo Battle of The Year produced by the duo of Legendury Beatz with Glo ambassador and singer, Simi voicing it, let the Battle begin!