The highly-anticipated seventh season of the Nigerian Idol kicked off with the organisers, Multichoice Nigeria, announcing that the show will be streamed in 27 countries.

Multichoice Nigeria followed up with the unveiling of Obi Asika, the founder and CEO of Storm 360; radio presenter, Toolz and three multiple award-winning entertainers such as D’banj, Omawunmi and Simi as judges for the new season.

WuzupNigeria takes a cursory look at the impact of the five judges and some other intimate details that endeared them to reality television show viewers in the country.

1. DBanj

Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, better known by his stage name D’banj, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, businessman and the founder of Mo’ Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy.

He has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards.

The 41-year-old is known for his bold statements with designer clothes, shoes and wristwatches.

2. Simi

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko better known by her stage name Simi started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008, titled Ogaju.

She gained prominence in 2014 after releasing “Tiff”, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015.

In September 8, 2017, Simi released her second studio album, Simisola.

Her third studio album Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 was released to coincide with her thirty-first birthday on April 19, 2019.

Asides from being a singer and songwriter, Simi is also a sound engineer and was credited with mixing and mastering Adekunle Gold’s debut studio album Gold, which was released in July 2016.

Her music style is basically hinged in the rhythm and blues, soul and hip hop music genres.

3. Obi Asika

Nigerian creative entrepreneur, Obi Asika, is known for his involvement in the growth of Nigeria’s music industry as the founder and CEO of Storm 360 – an indigenous music label.

He was equally DJ and promoter of over 200 events at universities and clubs in London, using venues such as Legends, Dingwalls, Camden Palace, Brighton Hippodrome, Wall Street, Shaftesbury’s, Crazy Larry’s, Roxanne’s, and L’Equipe Anglaise.

In 1991, Asika founded Storm Productions, a Nigerian entertainment company whose record label arm is notable for ushering in a new generation of Nigerian musical talent, including Naeto C, Ikechukwu, Sasha P, Tosin Martins, Banky W, who changed and developed the Nigerian music landscape.

4. TOOLZ

Nigerian radio personality, talk show host, and presenter, Tolu Oniru, popularly known as Toolz.

She is best known for hosting The Midday Show on The Beat 99.9 FM.

Prior to settling in Nigeria in 2008, she worked with MTV Europe and Walt Disney Pictures in the United Kingdom.

She also interviews popularly African entertainers on her talk show The Juice.

Toolz was part of the judges at the 2011 and 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards.

She is also the host of X Factor West Africa.

In 2012, the mother of two won the Media Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

She was recently a celebrity judge on Nigerian Idol season 7.

5. Omawunmi

Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress, Omawumi Megbele known by her stage name Omawumi gained attention as the 2007 runner-up on West African Idols, a reality TV show part of the Idols franchise.

She has had numerous performances on the stage with musicians such as P-Square, 2face Idibia, Phyno, D’Banj, Banky W, M.I, Sasha, 9ice, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Carl Thomas, Angie Stone and Donell Jones, Angelique Kidjo, among others.

In September 2008, Omawumi released her debut single “In The Music”. Her album Wonderwoman was released on November 11, 2009.

The album The Lasso of Truth was released on April 10, 2013.

In the 2009 Headies award, she won Best Vocal Performance and Best Vocal Performance in the 2018 Headies award.

Omawunmi was recently a celebrity judge on the Nigeria Idol season 7.