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Yunasi is 91Èȱ¬'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 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬'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 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬'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 91Èȱ¬'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 91Èȱ¬ World Service on 13 December and on 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ World Service, Free To Speak, themed around freedom of media and information, to celebrate 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬'s Maida Vale studios and the winner awarded the title of The Next Big Thing on 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ World on Saturday 22 December 2007 at 1530 and 1930 and Sunday 23 December at 0030 and 0730.
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91Èȱ¬ World Service Press Office
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