SpotMedia has officially selected 39 contestants for the inaugural SpotMedia Spotlight Open Mic Series, a live talent competition created to discover, develop, and showcase emerging creative talents. The competition will provide a platform for participants to demonstrate their abilities through a series of live performances, with the top five contestants earning a coveted performance slot at the Feel the Rhythm Grand Finale scheduled for August 2, 2026, in Lagos.
The Spotlight Open Mic Series forms part of SpotMedia’s broader commitment to talent discovery and creative development, offering participants exposure, audience engagement, mentorship opportunities, and a pathway to perform on one of the platform’s biggest stages.
The journey from social media to the Feel The Rhythm stage begins now.
Between April 8th and May 30th, 2026, aspiring talents submitted public performance videos on Instagram and TikTok, tagging @spotmedia.online as part of the entry process. Following an internal review of submissions, 39 contestants were selected to advance to the live competition phase.
Now, the real challenge begins
Over the coming weeks, contestants will perform before judges and live audiences across multiple stages, including auditions, performance rounds, mentorship sessions, and eliminations. At the end of the competition, only five finalists will remain. By reaching the Top 5, they will have secured a performance slot at the Feel The Rhythm Grand Finale, where they will compete against one another for the grand prize.
Competition timeline
June 13, 2026 — Live Audition (Selection Stage)
June 20, 2026 — Stage One
July 11, 2026 — Stage Two
July 18, 2026 — Semi-Finale
August 2, 2026 — Feel The Rhythm Grand Finale
The competition structure
Phase 1 — Submissions (Closed): Artists submitted performance videos publicly on Instagram and TikTok, tagging @spotmedia.online. Submissions closed May 30, 2026. Following review and screening, 39 contestants were accepted.
Phase 2 — Competition Starts: The 39 selected contestants will compete across four weekends, from June 13 to July 25, 2026, performing before a judging panel and audience voters. Throughout the competition, contestants will showcase their talents while battling for advancement to the next stage.
Phase 3 — Selection: At the end of each stage, contestants will be evaluated based on judges’ assessments and audience voting. The competition field will be progressively narrowed each weekend, with some contestants eliminated and others advancing, until only the five strongest performers remain.
Phase 4 — The Grand Finale: The five finalists will earn the opportunity to perform live at the Feel the Rhythm Grand Finale on August 2, 2026, in Lagos, sharing the stage with headline acts Buchi and GT da Guitarman. Following their final performances, one contestant will emerge as the overall winner of the SpotMedia Spotlight Open Mic Series and receive prizes valued at up to ₦1,000,000, which includes a ₦500,000 cash prize, free studio recording sessions, promotional support across SpotMedia platforms, and other career development opportunities.
The selected contestants
The identities of the 39 selected contestants were officially unveiled on June 6, 2026 across SpotMedia platforms. Their original submission videos are available on SpotMedia’s Instagram page: @spotmedia.online.
Speaking on the selection, Omamuzo Samson, CEO of SpotMedia, described the initiative as more than just a competition:
“Thirty-nine people took a chance on themselves and stepped forward. That deserves recognition. But selection was only the beginning. The real story now unfolds on stage. Every performance matters, every round counts, and only five will make it to the Grand Finale—with one ultimate winner emerging at the end.”
The Spotlight Open Mic Series is part of SpotMedia’s broader mission to build a sustainable platform for talent discovery and live entertainment, bridging the gap between emerging creatives and wider audiences through digital media, live events, and community-driven storytelling.
Follow every step of the competition
Fans and audiences are invited to follow the journey across SpotMedia platforms for live updates, performance highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and elimination results as the competition unfolds.
Contestant videos, competition updates, results, and Grand Finale announcements are published live on all SpotMedia channels and Festaconline.
Follow @spotmedia.online & @festaconline on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to follow every step.
Full press release and media assets: spotmedia.online/press-release
About SpotMedia
SpotMedia (spotmedia.online) is a Nigerian music discovery and live entertainment platform connecting emerging artists with audiences through streaming, live events, and community-driven cultural experiences. The Feel the Rhythm series is SpotMedia’s flagship live event initiative for 2026.
Media Contact
Omamuzo Samson: CEO, SpotMedia
Alexis Egenti: COO, SpotMedia
spotmedia.online
