Sudanese Who’ve Competed on TV Talent Competition Shows

In today’s world of reality TV, the best reality TV shows are singing competitions with millions around the world watching shows like American Idol, America’s Got Talent and The Voice.

In some of the world’s most watched singing competition shows, it’s rare to see participants or competitors of Sudanese origin take the stage, whether in Arabic or English versions of those shows.

However, in recent years, a few Sudanese singers have made it to the stages of MBC’s Arab Idol, Arabs Got Talent and The Voice Ahla Sawt. Although none have ever won a title in these shows, a few have gone far.

Here’s a look at widely celebrated Sudanese singers who have competed on the Arab world’s most popular singing competition shows:

Khaled Hassan (MBC Album)

Prior to Arab Idol, Arab’s Got Talent and The Voice Ahla Sawt, MBC’s first TV singing or talent competition show was Album, which in 2007 brought Arab singing competitors together based on their region – Africa, the Khaleej or Gulf countries and the Levant countries. As a member of the African singing team, Khaled Hassan was the first Sudanese to appear on a TV singing or talent competition show. In Album, the team of singers representing Africa won the show. That was first and last season of the show.

Nile (MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt)

The first Sudanese to appear on MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt is Moawia Ahmed, also known as Nile. In 2014, he appeared on the second season of the show, singing Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason”. Three chairs turned for Nile who were Lebanese singer Ragheb A’alma, Tunisina singer Saber Rebai and Egyptian singer Sherine. He chose Sherine as his coach. He went through all the way to the final 10, the only Sudanese singer to reach such a stage on an Arabic singing competition show.

Mohamed Al Tayeb (MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt)

In 2015, Mohamed Al Tayeb appeared on season three of MBC The Voice. He performed Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” then transitioned into Sudanese song, “Ana Mali Wa Malo”. Three chairs turned for him who were Egyptian singer Shereen, Tunisian singer Saber Rebai and Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir. Al Tayeb chose Sherine as his coach. In the same season came along another Sudanese countryman, Amjad Shakir, who went through under Al Sahir’s team.

Amjad Shakir (MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt)

In 2015, Amjad Shakir appeared on season three of MBC The Voice alongside Mohammed Al Tayeb. He performed Nina Simone’s “I’m Feeling Good”. One chair turned for him and it was Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir who was his coach for the season.

Salute Yal Bannot (Arabs Got Talent)

The all-girl band, Salute Yal Bannot, appeared on Arabs Got Talent in 2017 performing their original song, “African Girl”, incorporating English and Sudanese lyrics. They reached through semi-final but then, due to insufficient votes, had to leave the show.

Seyar Abdeen (MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt)

In 2018, Seyar Abdeen appeared on season six of MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt. She performed Mohammed Wardi’s “Sudfa”. One chair turned for her and it was Egyptian singer Mohammed Hamaki.

Mahir Sami (MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt)

In 2019, Mahir Sami appeared on the latest and fourth season of MBC The Voice Ahla Sawt. He performed a mashup, which began with Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon”, followed by Muntasir Hilali’s “Leh Yah Habib”. One chair turned for him and it was Egyptian singer Mohammed Hamaki. Sami lost to Weam Ridwan when they sang a duet of the song, “Say Something” by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera in the Battle Rounds. He was then saved from exiting the show by Moroccan singer and The Voice judge, Samira Said. He will now move on to the third stage of the currently ongoing show.

Honorable mentions: