Leading candy brand TomTom kicked off its highly anticipated 2025 TomTom Breathe Through It (BTI) Verse Challenge with a thrilling Barz on Wheelz Yaba Showdown on Saturday 3rd May 2025, held at the Railway Recreation Centre, Ebute Meta. The mobile talent hunt brought the heat to the streets with music, competition, and youth-powered energy at its peak.
With over 30 contestants showcasing lyrical skill and performance flair, the challenge spotlighted raw talent from the grassroots. Judging the fierce competition were entertainment heavyweights: Afro-street sensation Small Doctor, rap star Candy Bleakz, and Olatunde Danisa, Creative Director of Cashiff House of Ideas. The crowd grooved nonstop thanks to DJ 4kerty, who kept the beats pumping throughout the event.
After a high-energy battle of bars, Mohammed Salami, aka Lam Young, was crowned winner. His exceptional flow, originality, and ability to connect with the audience sealed his victory.
Receiving his award, Lam Young stated that, “This is a dream come true. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this to show the world what I can do. I want to thank TomTom for bringing this platform right to our doorstep. Today, I didn’t just win a prize, I found my voice among my peers.”
Lam Young walked away with a ₦1 million cash prize, a 6-month supply of TomTom, exclusive branded merchandise, and a coveted spot in the TomTom Breathe Academy, a development hub created to elevate emerging artists with mentorship, studio sessions, branding support, and visibility opportunities.
Speaking about the campaign, Mariam Abdullahi, Brand Manager, Gum and Candy, Cadbury West Africa, stated that, “At TomTom, we’re passionate about helping young Nigerians breathe through pressure and find confidence in their voice. The BTI Verse Challenge is more than a music contest, it’s a cultural movement that empowers, uplifts, and inspires. What we saw in Yaba was the beginning of something truly powerful.”
The 2025 BTI Verse Challenge themed Barz on Wheelz experience continues its tour across Lagos, bringing the mic to more neighborhoods with upcoming stops in Agege on Saturday, May 10, Oshodi on Saturday, May 17, and Ikorodu on Saturday, May 24, as part of TomTom’s mission to spotlight and support street-level talent.
