Lights, nerves, and a buzzing crowd—Nigerian Idol Season 5 truly outdid itself. Out of thousands who gave it their all across Benin, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Lagos, Kunle Ogunrombi, known on stage as K-Peace, emerged as the new sensation. On June 13, 2015, Dream Studio in Lagos became the arena for a musical battle, with K-Peace clinching the title over fellow finalist Dolu (Ogunmoyero Modoluwamu).
The journey wasn't for the faint of heart. With auditions drawing hopefuls from every corner, the pool was sliced down to just a dozen standout performers. Weeks of elimination, demanding live shows, and real-time votes led to a nerve-wracking showdown between just two contestants. For K-Peace, his soulful take on Sir Shina Peters' 'Ace' became the unforgettable performance that tipped the scales in his favor and won over both judges and fans at home.
K-Peace's prize haul was impressive—he drove away in a brand-new SUV, pocketed a cool N7.5 million in cash, and perhaps most importantly for his career, secured a recording contract with Universal Music Company. Those dreams that once seemed far off during regional auditions were real now. He didn’t hide his joy on stage, giving heartfelt thanks to the show organizers and acknowledging just how tough it had been to face off with Dolu, whose own performances drew plenty of acclaim.
No one could ignore the electrifying energy when Nigerian soul queen Asa stepped up to the mic. She crooned out crowd favorites from her album Beds of Stone, moving through ‘Satan Be Gone’, ‘Eyo’, and ‘Moving On’ with the raw authenticity she’s known for. Her appearance wasn’t just a treat for music lovers—it was a reminder of the kind of artistry that many Nigerian Idol hopefuls dream of achieving.
The five-month search for Nigeria’s next breakout star was powered by Etisalat (now 9mobile), whose backing kept the whole project rolling. And, to make sure everything stayed on the up-and-up, voting was transparently audited by Alexander Forbes—a detail that surely built trust among viewers who tuned in week after week.
K-Peace’s story proves just how life-changing a moment on stage can be. For those who watched his journey from auditions to grand finale, it wasn’t just about the music—it was about seeing dreams turn real, right in front of their eyes.