The night kicked off with a stunning performance of Ric Hassani’s “Moving Train (Isokuso)”, accompanied by a vibrant dance ensemble that immediately set the tone. Host IK Osakioduwa, as always, kept the momentum going promising even bigger moments ahead. He welcomed the all-star judging panel, returning judges Ric Hassani, Iyanya, and Omawumi were joined by iconic dancer and choreographer Dr. Kaffy, who brought a fresh perspective and high expectations as the guest judge for the night.
In true Idol fashion, the elimination segment was full of suspense. IK teased Mikki and Lawrence with the judges’ comments before announcing their safety. Purp also made it through after some playful build-up. Raymu’s last performance had won hearts, and IK confirmed he was safe as well , which left Kristopher and Brammy in the bottom two.
With a recap of the judges’ previous feedback still fresh in everyone’s mind, the tension peaked as IK finally delivered the verdict that Kristopher was the one leaving the competition. In Kristopher’s exit speech, he remained composed and said “I’m grateful for the whole experience, I stayed true to my artistry throughout, and it doesn’t end here for me.”
Here’s How the Top 5 Performed:
Mikki performs “Spirit” by Beyoncé
Opening the night with a bang, Mikki delivered a performance full of soul, movement, and vocal power. His choreography was bold, and his voice carried conviction. Ric was deeply impressed and said “This song is called ‘Spirit,’ and we all felt your spirit, that was fantastic.”
Raymu performs “Titanium” by Sia
With breathtaking vocal control and seamless choreography, Raymu turned in one of his strongest performances yet. His control and emotional delivery added layers to the song that resonated with the audience and got applauded by all four judges.
Lawrence performs “Black or White” by Michael Jackson
Lawrence embraced the legend’s energy with a thrilling stage performance. He sang, danced, and had the crowd completely engaged. The judges applauded his confidence and range.
Purp performs “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
Purp channeled the Queen of Soul with power and poise. Her performance was theatrical and vocally strong, earning her rave reviews. Ric said: “This was absolutely flawless,” while Kaffy added: “I’m proud of you, Purp.”
Brammy performs “Yeah 3x” by Chris Brown
Brammy brought the house down with an explosive, dance-packed performance. From acrobatic stunts to crisp vocals, he gave it his all and left the audience screaming. All four judges loved it and he proved once again why he’s still in the competition.
As the show drew to a close, IK gave special shoutouts to the judges for their consistent guidance, to Dr. Kaffy for her impactful mentorship throughout the week, and to the Top 5 contestants for stepping out of their comfort zones and putting on a truly memorable show.
The judges reflected on the night, praising the contestants for embracing growth, bringing boldness to the stage, and finally coming into their own as full performers and not just singers. To wrap up the night, Kristopher returned to the stage for a farewell performance of “Where Have You Been” by Rihanna. It was bold, confident, and a strong reminder of his growth throughout the competition. The judges praised his artistry one final time, commending him for staying true to himself.
The Top 5 are bringing their A-game, but only the audience can decide who moves forward, fans are encouraged to vote on the Africa Magic website at www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-
Catch Nigerian Idol every Sunday at 7 PM on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Ch. 151, GOtv Ch. 8), Africa Magic Family (DStv Ch. 154, GOtv Ch. 7), or stream live on GOtv & DStv Stream apps and also on Showmax. Stay plugged in because GOtv has got you covered from now until July 31st, simply reconnect or renew your subscription and enjoy an automatic upgrade to a higher bouquet at no extra cost.