On Friday, November 28th, at the National Theatre in Accra, five promising musicians will do real battle to become the winner of the third season of the music reality show, MTN Hitmaker.

The lure: GH¢100,000 album recording, marketing and distribution contract that has the potential to change one’s life forever and usher the winner into the music big leagues in the country and even beyond.

If you doubt that, ask Miriam Afari, season one first runner up who now has a critically acclaimed gospel album and was nominated at the recent Ghana Music Awards in the Best Vocalist category; and Koo Ntakra, season two winner who is now moving from one stage to another thrilling crowds wherever he goes and has also just launched his 19-track album.

That is the stuff these five –Naba, Emperor, Snow B, Mac M and Torgbe– are fighting for. They have battled from the beginning alongside some seven others, who fell along the way and tonight will be the crowning glory for just one of the five. A tough call it is, but one they are all ready to face.

Judge Ofie Kudjoe lauded the final five who have made it this far. She believes that the finals will be “crazy” and she can’t wait.

“All of them have done so well. Naba sings like a Nightingale and her voice is very clear. Mac M’s concepts for his performances are always outstanding and unbelievable. Emperor’s songs are very emotional and he pours himself into the songs. Torgbe is a real fighter and goal-getter. Snow B has such a passion and you can see it in every move, she said.

Bessa Simons, another judge added that they have been consistent with their performances and therefore deserve to be where they are right now.

“They are all good and they keep performing well. You should expect a great show. I am looking forward to a spectacular show,” he said.

New judge Hammer, singled out wild card Emperor for praise, saying “Emperor has really proven to be a wild card. He is a great artiste.”

Hammer suggests that for the show to be a well judged, singers should be separated from rappers. “I will suggest that the organizers shouldn’t mix the rappers and singers. It makes it difficult to judge. Singers are different from rappers.”

He urged the finalists to show to the world the quality they are made off. “They will turn up the stage. I think it is up to them to prove a point. We have been advising them from the beginning and everything they have learnt from us, this is the time to show it,” Hammer added.

Below is a profile of the final five.

Emmanuel Ankrah (Mac M)

Emmanuel Ankrah, aka Mac M, believes the Hitmaker 3 platform will enable him to prove a point to people who once had doubts about what he had to offer as far as rap music was concerned. The 20 year old rapper says harsh life experiences have given him the strength to keep up, show up and deliver to the best of his ability.

Mac-m

Onyamepe Opoku Agyemang (Naba)

Onyamepe Opoku Agyemang known on Hitmaker 3 show as Naba says music is the best thing that has ever happened to her and hopes to use the platform to make her family proud. She believes music is a powerful tool to unite people and through her lyrics backed by her great voice she can attain that objective.

Naba

Vincent Torgbe (Torgbe)

Vincent is a technician and an electrician who works with the Electricity Company of Ghana. Born and bred in Liatsi, Hohoe, in the Volta Region he is inspired to change the face of Ewe music through his rap lines.

Torgbe

Raynolds Boateng (Snow B)

Snow B says Samini inspires him a lot. He started writing lyrics when he was in junior high school. Snow B says he is going to blow people’s minds this evening with his music and art on stage and that Ghana should watch out for him.

Snow B

Emperor

Emperor is his stage name. To him, that means he can rule the music world and believes he has the qualities of a leader. Emperor wants win the cash amount to record an album. He knows the qualities of education but he wants to continue with his music.

Right from senior high school, he has been in entertainment. As Entertainment Prefect, at Ofori Payin Senior High he organised a lot of gigs so people could have fun. He took part in the ‘SHS-!6’ music festival hosted by Jay So and Sarkodie in 2012 and won.

Emporer

He also won the Hi-Skuul Discovery of the Year 2012 the following year he won Kasahare Artiste of the Year. In 2013 he won the Urban Nonsense and he is predicting that in 2014 he will win MTN Hitmaker Season 3.

“This is my time. I feel it is my time and I wish this is true. I am not scared, anxious, worried or disturbed. I am doing my best and leaving the rest to God.”

Viewers can judge for themselves when they hit the stage this weekend. The stations on which MTN Hitmaker 3 shows include TV3, eTV, GhOne and 4Syte TV, Metro TV, Multi TV on the Cine Afrik.