National contest provides platform for aspiring musicians

Bliss Brands, the manufacturers of MAQ washing powder, is searching for a new, original song that resonates with the MAQ brand. The show will be presented by celebrity Mr Vusi Langa and the contest is an opportunity for acapella/Isicathamiya groups to showcase their talent.

Ms Jacqueline Jacobs, the marketing director of Bliss Brands, said they are looking for a new, original song for MAQ washing powder.

“The musical style has, in recent years, become extremely popular and has gained an enormous following. This is one of the reasons that the MAQapella contest is calling for isicathamiya entries,” she said.

The competition invites all amateur singers, which means all those who have not yet signed with a record label, who are South African citizens and are over 18 years old.

The judging panel is made up of three of South Africa’s hottest musical talents – Nozzy from The Sophia Sistas, rising house-music star MaBlerh and Shwi from the maskandi duo Shwi no Mtekhala.

The judges are looking for an acapella /isicathamiya style song that is original, catchy, fun, representative of South Africa and conveys that special MAQ feeling.

“South Africa is ripe with talent and we are excited about giving unknown isicathamiya groups the opportunity and the platform to perform and showcase their abilities. The MAQapella contest will allow the winning group to take their skills to the next level, placing their musical careers on the right path to success,” said Ms Jacobs.

Numerous prizes will be up for grabs, including R50 000 in cash, a music video and an in-studio recording valued at R100 000. A year’s worth of MAQ products will also be up for grabs.

How to enter:

Entries for the competition opens on August 2 and closes on August 28.

Acapella/ isicathamiya groups can enter via the Facebook page www.FaceBook.com/MAQWashingPowder or at any of the MAQ washing powder roadshows at the following venues between 9am and 3pm:

Maponya Mall (Soweto) on August 2 and 3.

Evaton Mall (Vaal) on August 2 and 3.

Tembisa Plaza (Esangweni) on August 9 and 10.

Alexandra Pan Gate Mall (Alexandra) on August 9 and 10.

Dobsonville Mall (Soweto) on August 23 and 24.

Boitekong Mall (Rustenburg) on August 23 and 24.

By dropping off a CD with your unique song at the MAQ offices, located at 66 Springbok Road, Longdale, Industria.

Submit a recording of your song using the MAQapella contest phone line or SMS MAQapella to 41934. SMS costs are R1.

By listening to the following radio stations – JoziFM, UkhoziFm, Alex FM, Thetha FM and North West FM, for an opportunity to enter on radio.

Following the auditions, 100 acapella groups will be selected to take part in the semi-finals of the MAQapella contest.

The semi-finals will take place at the Soweto Theatre on Sunday, August 31 and Sunday, September 7.

The judges will select the 20 best groups to go through to the finals which will take place on September 14.

Requirements for entries:

Entrants must be over 18, be South African citizens and must have a valid ID document.

Entrants must be willing to be photographed and interviewed for MAQ publicity purposes.

The song must be sung in isicathamiya/ acapella style and it must be original. The song must be sung predominantly in English, but can include a touch of vernacular. The song must be no longer than three minutes in length.

The song lyrics to include the following words:

MAQ MAQ MAQ

Get more with MAQ

Feels like a friend

MAQ will brighten up your day

MAQ makes washing easy

When I wash the stains come out

MAQnificent

Washing powder for the people

It’s a brighter day

Fresh and clean

Powerful fragrance

Terms and Conditions for the winners and the winning song:

Each member of the winning group will become a member of the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO).

A contract stipulating terms and conditions, and use of the winning song, will be signed by both a MAQ Washing Powder representative and each member of the winning group.

MAQ Washing Powder and Bliss Brands will have complete ownership of the new MAQ song and will be able to use it in all advertising and marketing activities, indefinitely.

Each member of the winning group must be willing to be photographed and interviewed for MAQ publicity purposes.

A full list of Terms of Conditions is available at www.MAQ.mobi

For more information, visit www.FaceBook.com/MAQWashingPowder