D’Banj and Pearl Thusi

After the announcement that the hugely successful Lip Sync Battle format was coming to MTV Base and e.tv next month, the big question was: “Who will host Lip Sync Battle Africa?”

On Thursday, the mystery was solved: Nigerian superstar and mogul D’Banj, and actress, radio and TV presenter Pearl Thusi would be the hosts.

Thusi will serve as all-round host and “master of ceremonies”, while “Koko Master” and “Oliver Twist” star D’Banj will step up as the “colour commentator”, adding his lively observations to the proceedings.

The pair, who began shooting the first season this week, said they were happy to be working with each other.

Said D’Banj: “We met in Abuja, at the Glo CAF Awards, where I was scheduled to perform, and I asked her: ‘What are you doing here?’, and we got talking and we just had great chemistry.

“So when I got the email telling me that it would be me and her [hosting the show], I said ‘Yes!’”

Thusi added: “When I heard that I was working with him, I got a sense of calm.”

Thusi, who will be leaving her SABC job, is an experienced presenter, but this is D’Banj’s debut.

“I am an entertainer, and performer, and I am very excited to be able to do something of this nature, and also with an experienced presenter,” he said.

Lip Sync Battle Africa will premiere on e.tv, MTV (DStv channel 130) and MTV Base (DStv channel 322).

The American version has rapper and actor LL Cool J, alongside Chrissy Teigen, as the hosts.

*Culled from City Press, South Africa