Contestants take to the stage during the elimination round on July 20, 2013 at UP's Cineplex. Photo: VINO

Judges (L-R) Andre Braithwaite, Dr Drexel Glasgow and Dr Allison Flax-Archer) observe a performance during the competition. Photo: VINO

Follow The Movement (FTM) members including, Kevis Hughes (left) and Craig Lake speak with judges during the competition. Photo: VINO

The contestants moved to the next step following the first elimination event held at UP’s Cineplex by the Follow The Movement (FTM) group for the upcoming annual Top 7@7 Music Award Show to be held in March, 2014.

Of the twenty entrants that performed, those that made it to the final round were Kassandra Malone, Sasha Wintz, Calden James, Jahieel Howe & TJ Henley – YBA, Hashim Lewis, Jamila Stevenson, Keje Hendrickson, Jamori Blaize, Kamyce Penn, Epik & Neeks, NJAR, Marvin Bramble and Rochel Lewis.

Howe and Henley of YBA and Hashim Lewis were tied with the same score.

President of FTM, Mr Craig Lake said the team had taken this initiative as an answer to the call made by record labels for a ‘step up’ in the game with the introduction of this much talent to the table.

“They feel it’s unfair for them to come to the BVI and they’re seeing the grassroots talent,” he stated, “they’re not seeing the talent that has been nurtured or has gone through the refinery that is close to or has become the actual finished product.”

As a result of this, he announced that the team had partnered with judges such as Dr Drexel Glasgow, Dr Allison Flax-Archer and Mr Andre Brathwaite, all of whom have extensive musical backgrounds that can contribute significantly to the cause.

The judges graded contestants on criteria such as vocal quality and technique; pronunciation; stage presence; interpretation and overall execution.

FTM Team member, Kevis Hughes said the judges would be able to help pinpoint the right elements and persons to choose in selecting the persons that would advance to the next level of the competition.

Instead of advertising the competition, the FTM group went through alternative avenues such as schools, churches and youth groups to narrow their selection of persons who would enter the competition’s talent pool.

The selection process was initially supposed to have reduced the number of entrants to ten before the final segment. Lake said, “Those persons who make it to that ten will actually go through a training process”

According to Hughes, “A lot of the performers did really well. I was actually shocked.” He also added that the performances were quite impressive an stated that the judges were rendered speechless at many points.

“They gave very good criticism as well and they gave good encouragement to those that probably won’t make it,” he said of the judges’ reactions.

The sponsors for the program included Shan Mohamed of NAGICO Insurances, Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn and the BVI Tourist Board.

Lake disclosed that there will be a final elimination event in December, 2013 that will capture the top seven contenders. These persons will then perform at the award show in March, 2014.