By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Candy brand TomTom has rewarded two budding music talents with cash gifts and brand support following a talent competition in Agege, Lagos.
The brand explained in a statement that it launched the ‘Breathe Through It Verse Challenge’ to give young people an opportunity to express themselves and gain access to structured mentorship within the creative industry.
Category Manager, Gum and Candy, Cadbury West Africa, Abidemi Ajayi, said in a statement that the brand’s commitment to supporting grassroots creativity influenced its decision to honour two contestants, namely Lukuman “Leekee” Kamilu and Haruna “Dannyboi” Mohammed, instead of one at the Agege edition of the TomTom ‘BTI Verse Challenge.’
“What we witnessed in Agege was nothing short of incredible. The energy, the message, the artistry, these young talents brought it all to the stage,” Ajayi remarked. “At TomTom, we are deeply committed to giving voice to the next generation. The performances by Leekee and Dannyboi proved that sometimes, one winner just isn’t enough,”.
Leekee emerged overall winner and was rewarded with a N1m cash prize, a six-month supply of TomTom candy bars, and a place at the TomTom Breathe Academy, a creative mentorship and brand-building hub.
Dannyboi was named first runner-up and received N300,000, a six-month supply of TomTom candy bars, and a slot in the Breathe Academy.
The Agege event, held on Saturday, May 10, at the Amoo Football Pitch, drew over 100 contestants in what organisers described as “a fiercely contested showdown of lyrical power, creativity, and authenticity.”
Judges at the event included afro-street artist Small Doctor, rap act Candy Bleakz, and a Music Director at the Catholic Church, Isolo Deanery, John Paul. The judges praised the depth of talent and originality displayed by participants.
The challenge, tagged Barz on Wheelz, is part of TomTom’s Lagos-wide talent discovery tour.
According to TomTom, it continues its tour across Oshodi on Saturday, May 17, and Ikorodu on Saturday, May 24.