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Yunasi is Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Next Big Thing
Yunasi, a nine-piece band from Kenya, have topped a list of thousands of musicans from around the world to win Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service's The Next Big Thing 2007.
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The global music talent search received entries from over 88 countries and Yunasi were chosen as the winners by an all-star jury after playing live at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's famous Maida Vale studios in London.
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Yunasi, one of Africa's leading Afro-fusion bands, won with Ndi Ndi Ndi, which wowed both the judges and audience at the final.
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The band members, who all live and work in Nairobi, flew to London for the final and will play at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service's 75th Anniversary Concert on Saturday 15 December with some of the biggest names in music at London's indigO2.
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Ndi Ndi Ndi is about the dangers of drinking too much. The aim is to appeal to both young and old, and is a manifestation of Kenyan Sesube music – a mixture of Sega, Isukuti and Benga styles.
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Yunasi's vocalist said: "Winning the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Next Big Thing 2007 is a dream come true for us. After ten years of hard work this will help give us international recognition, we are on top of the world."
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Music industry experts including Talvin Singh (singer/super producer Madonna and Jay Z), Tahita Bulmer (New Young Pony Club), Nile Rodgers (Chic/producer David Bowie, Diana Ross, Halo 2) and William Orbit (producer Robbie Williams and Sugababes) were on the jury which judged the final.
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William Orbit commented: "I was blown away by the standard of all the artists. If I paid money to go and see any of them I know I wouldn't be disappointed. We were all exhilarated by the experience and impressed by the general unjadedness of the occasion, both in front of the cameras and behind them.
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"Some shows are about humiliation but this was about real talent. There was also a spirit of unity between the bands that I felt was important."
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The standard was so high that the runners-up place was split between Vrelo (Serbia) and Jeremie Johnson (United Arab Emirates).
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The other finalists were Hraun from Iceland and Maya McCallum Et La Toy Factory from France.
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The final five had been selected by a panel of music journalists and experts from a group of 20 acts, who were chosen from the entries submitted via the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's website and worldwide roadshows.
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The programme's executive producer, Simon Pitts, said: "I'm just amazed at the number of entries and the standard – it gets higher every year. The music is so exciting and we just want to get these sounds heard by as many people as possible."
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The Next Big Thing 2007 Final will be broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service on 13 December and on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World TV on Saturday 22 and Sunday and 23 December.
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The Next Big Thing is part of a season of programmes from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service, Free To Speak, themed around freedom of media and information, to celebrate Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service's 75th Anniversary.
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To find out more about The Next Big Thing go to bbc.co.uk/worldservice/thenextbigthing/2007/.
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Further pictures are available on request of Yunasi live, Yunasi with the winners trophy and the judges.
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Notes to Editors
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Listen to the finalists perform live from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Maida Vale studios and the winner awarded the title of The Next Big Thing on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service on Thursday 13 December 2007 at 0930, 1530 and 1930.
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A programme featuring the entrants' journey and finalists performing at Maida Vale studios with snippets of the winner performing at the IndigO2 will air on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World on Saturday 22 December 2007 at 1530 and 1930 and Sunday 23 December at 0030 and 0730.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Press Office
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