Word on the street has been rife with rumours that East Africa’s biggest reality singing show, Tusker Project Fame (TPF), has hit the end of the road.

The annual show which is sponsored by TUSKER LAGER, a product of the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) had reached its sixth edition last year but it still remains unclear on whether TPF will be on this season as the organizers are yet to release official statements regarding the matter.

Tusker Project Fame, which is similar to American Idol and Project Fame South Africa, aims to identify the best singing talent. Musicians compete to win cash and a one year record deal with Universal Music Group, South Africa.

In the past, Tusker Project Fame has been criticized by fans for failure to produce musicians who are qualified for the industry considering that most of the winners remain irrelevant as soon as they are out of the academy.

TPF WINNERS GETTING A RAW DEAL?

Winners of the show have also criticized the organizers for failure to support them after the season is over.

In 2012, Rwanda’s Tusker Project Fame season three (TPF3) winner, Alpha Rwirangira denounced the show’s organisers, the accusing them of not fulfilling some of their promises and abandoning past winners.

Alpha claimed that none of the former TPF winners had so far signed a recording deal with Universal Music Group from South Africa, a package the region’s largest brewers had promised.

“The Tusker Company makes a lot of money from the Project Fame music competition, but it doesn’t support the winners in return. Most of the former TPF winners are still struggling to make a name in the music industry, and chasing the recording (deal) which is supposed to be included in the package that is given to the winner of the competition”, said Alpha.

TUSKER TWENDE KAZI

Early this year, EABL sponsored another star studded reality show, Tusker Twende Kazi, which unlike TPF does not involve singing; it’s similar to the Amazing Race Show. Twende Kazi involved 50 participants who had an incredible journey of 50 days through East Africa and Europe to deliver a bottle of Tusker in London.

It’s believed that EABL is considering dropping TPF for Twende Kazi but do Kenyans really care considering that the later show was not well received by Kenyans?