One of reality television’s most famous recognizable voices, Simon Cowell, spoke to HipHopDX yesterday. The music and television executive perhaps best known for launching American Idol spoke about his latest venture, The X-Factor, the FOX show which is presently beginning auditions this weekend.
Cowell was asked about this contest-show’s attention to urban music in particular, after Antonio , and rumors have swirled that he may be joined by Young Money’s Nicki Minaj. “When I agreed to do [The X-Factor], one of the first things I had to do was to ensure that somebody was on the panel, who was in my opinion, the best in the world at knowing what was happening with American music. That’s why L.A. Reid was my first choice,” Cowell told HipHopDX. While he would not speak about Nicki Minaj, Cowell continued, speaking about Reid’s track record for multi-platinum stars including Rihanna, Outkast and Justin Bieber. “We had a long conversation about this, which [was about] the type of artist we would love to attract; Rihanna was one of the examples we used.” “I need his advice. He’s brilliant at that. This made a statement to all those kinds of artists, that we are totally open-minded and want to encourage a new generation of artists on these shows.”
The show boasts a prize of $5 million to the winner, as well as a Sony Records contract. “If they win the show, they’re gonna get a platform like no other,” Cowell said
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Auditions for the highly anticipated singing competition The X Factor are set to begin on Sunday, March 27 in Los Angeles at the L.A. Sports Arena. The search for the next global superstar will continue in Miami, FL, on Thursday, April 7; Newark, NJ, on Thursday, April 14; Seattle, WA, on Wednesday, April 20; Chicago, IL, on Wednesday, April 27; and Dallas, TX, on Thursday, May 26.
The show is searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over – both solo artists and vocal groups – who are willing to brave the panel for a chance to win a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. Interested solo artists and vocal groups should sign up now for audition information at www.fox.com/theXfactor or call toll-free 855-345-5678.
