Deborah Johnson, better known by her stage name TheGlobalPoet, has emerged as the champion of De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt (DTH) Season 4, taking home a cash prize of ₦30 million.
The spoken-word artist, aged 22 and hailing from Delta State, impressed both judges and audiences with her powerful, socially conscious poetry throughout the competition. Her performances tackled themes including racism, gender-based violence, and terrorism, earning her “Best Performance of the Week” in several episodes.
The grand finale took place at the Calabar International Convention Centre, where over 3,000 people gathered for the decider. Johnson said she was deeply grateful to her fans, her coaches, and God, calling the journey “one of the most stretching experiences” of her life.
Her victory is particularly poignant given her previous attempt: she auditioned for DTH in Season 3, but her audition was cut short. She returned this year with renewed purpose — and the reception proves it paid off.
Runners-Up and Highlights
- First runner-up: JeremiahFJ Sax, a 13-year-old saxophonist, whose performances garnered millions of views online.
- Second runner-up: Chris Vic (Christian Victor Eshiet), a visually-impaired singer-keyboardist whose soul-stirring performances won widespread admiration.
Throughout the season, DTH spotlighted a wide variety of talent — from dancers and contortionists to comedians, magicians, and musicians.
A Platform For Change
TheGlobalPoet’s win is being hailed as a landmark moment for spoken-word artists in Nigeria’s mainstream entertainment scene. By blending artistry with activism, she has drawn attention to how poetry can reflect and influence critical social issues.
She also made waves online: her collaboration with fellow contestant Paskal went viral, racking up millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
With her new platform and the major prize, TheGlobalPoet has expressed her intent to continue using her art as a vehicle for social change — elevating voices, telling stories, and driving conversations.
Looking Ahead
De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt, now in its fourth season, continues to grow in influence. This edition was notable for eliminating registration fees, making the competition more accessible to young creatives across Nigeria. The judges this season included Nollywood star Ini Edo, actor IK Ogbonna, and performer Liquorose, with VJ Adams hosting.
As Johnson steps into her new role as DTH champion, many are watching to see how she leverages her platform — not just to build her career, but to elevate poetry and meaningful storytelling on a national, even global, stage.
