One of the judges for Follow The Movement’s Top 7@7 ‘Who is Next’ event, Dr Allison Flax- Archer, has expressed immense satisfaction with the quality of performances so far in the elimination round and believes the second round will be a ‘fantastic showcase of Virgin Islands’ talent. Photo: VINO/File

The judges for Top 7@7 'Who is Next?' L-R: Mr Andre Brathwaite, Dr Drexel Glasgow and Dr Allison Flax-Archer who were also instrumental in helping to change the format. Photo; VINO/File

The 13 contestants for the second round are Kirtis 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. Photo: FTM

President of Follow The Movement (FTM), Mr Craig Lake aka DJ Push Pop had previously said the group held the event for the past six years and a change in format was required as the record labels being pursued would have been lost otherwise. Photo: VINO/File

Seven of 13 persons will remain after the event to be held on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 7:30 P.M. at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall. The first elimination round was held on July 20, 2013 at UP’s Cineplex by the Follow the Movement (FTM) group with over twenty entrants.

“Oh my goodness, the participants that made it to the finals, I am not surprised. I am really hoping, and that happens often on television, that they don’t let us down in the second round. The BVI really has some talent and I believe that it’s going to be a fantastic showcase of what the BVI has. I am very excited about round two, the real competition among the persons that made it,” commented Dr Flax-Archer in an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online.

Dr Flax-Archer also said the judges are likely have a “tall task” since the competition so far seems very strong. “At the preliminaries, when we compared scores they were so similar. Some of them were actually the same.”

New format the right way to go

President of Follow The Movement (FTM), Mr Craig Lake aka DJ Push Pop had previously said the group held the event for the past six years and a change in format was required as the record labels being pursued would have been lost otherwise.

The FTM met with several local music professionals including Dr Drexel Glasgow, Mr Andre Brathwaite and Dr Allison Flax-Archer who were instrumental in helping to change the format.

This now means that crowd support will have little if any at all in determining who advances to the final. Instead, judges will now be looking for articulation, range and stage performances among other areas.

“That should be the format really because if you depend on community input only then the persons that would win or expected to win would more than likely be the most popular person and the most popular persons is not necessarily be the person that should win or the person that has the most talent. Of course persons are going to vote for their families and friends but we really should be voting for that person with the talent that would be in a position to represent the British Virgin Islands,” Dr Flax-Archer argued.

Asked what would be her advice to the remaining contestants as a result of the new format, Dr Flax-Archer said they should stay away from ‘safe songs’. “I am referring to a song that is going to be very simple. The participants should show range. Persons want to see how low or high they can go in terms of their voice so the safest songs are not necessarily going to be the best it is going to be the song that you choose that is going to enable your talent and show what you have.”

The judge said her expectation also is that contestants are not just going to go on stage and sing. “You don’t have to dance but you have to bring the audience into you. You have to be a performer because if you go out in that world stage and you representing the BVI you are not looking for someone who is just going to stand there and sing. As a judge that is what I am going to be looking for.”

The 13 contestants for the second round are Kirtis 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.

The feature artiste is expected to be US R&B star Melanie Fiona.

Meanwhile, tickets for Friday’s elimination round are available exclusively at CCT for $15.00. There will also be double CCT top-ups at the show to be held at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall.