Idols SA Season 18 Enjoys Its Hottest Episode Yet As Heritage Special Pays Tribute To South African Icons
With Heritage Month in full swing, last night’s Idols SA season 18 episode celebrated the incredible musical history of Mzansi – with contestants recreating Southern African classics in the youth’s image.
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Icons such as Hugh Masekela, Thandiswa Mazwai, Caiphus Semenya and Brenda Fassie were honoured by the contestants who received enough votes to sing another day.
With over 7 million votes cast this week, the 9 who made it are: CeeJay, Kabelo, Mpilo, Noxolo, Nozi, Tesmin-Robyn, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee. Sadly, Lerato’s Idols SA journey has come to an end.
The show started on an upbeat note, with Noxolo taking on Joe Mafela’s Shebeleza and turning it into a house-influenced banger. The judges loved it, with Somizi Mhlongo giving high praise: “Bra Joe is so proud wherever he is.”
“You are a natural. The power and control that you have on stage is amazing,” said Thembi Seete, with JR Bogopa adding: “This is how you open a show!”
Next was Kabelo, taking on Ringo’s Ekuseni, to mixed feedback from judges. While Thembi praised him, saying he “owned the song”, JR found Kabelo’s performance “awkward”, saying: “You could have given us a little bit more… You’re not in your pocket yet.”
Somizi agreed, saying: “You got carried away by the groove and took the notes for granted.”
Mpilo gave Caiphus Semenya’s Nomalanga more character, to unanimous praise from the judges, with JR saying: “This was a very complex and technical performance. What I heard here was a masterpiece of vocal arrangement. I am a big fan of yours.”
Somizi echoed this: “When an old man like myself gets emotional over a song and wants to cry, you must know that you hit a nerve.”
CeeJay sang Hugh Masekela’s Send Me (South Africa), leaving all judges impressed, with Thembi saying: “I want to be here when you make it to the top 5.” Somizi was also happy: “You took it to church and you took it to KwaMashu. You had fun. This performance was very entertaining.”
JR said CeeJay had redeemed himself from last week’s performance: “I honestly thought you’d be home this weekend. You took our advice and said, ‘I am not going home – I am bringing my A-game’.”
Next was Tesmin-Robyn, who sang Stimela’s Siyaya Phambili, which didn’t land with the judging panel. Thembi said: “You were not comfortable with this performance.”
JR felt the track was “too big” for Tesmin-Robyn, and Somizi said she turned the struggle song into something too jovial: “Your tone is beautiful, but just be careful not to lose the meaning of the song.”
Ty Loner gave his own rendition of Johnny Clegg’s Scatterlings of Africa, to high praise from the judges. JR said the arrangement was “perfect” for Ty, and Thembi called him “a beautiful storyteller”.
Somizi said: “This has been your best performance by far. Make sure when you release an album, you ask for permission to add this song.”
Nozi took on Thandiswa Mazwai’s Nizalwa Ngobani?. The judges’ response was muted, with Somizi saying: “Vocally, no one can fault you. But I wish I could have stripped away all the instruments.” He also called for more nuance from her going forward: “You must give us colour and variation. Not everything must be Konka.”
JR summed it up by saying: “Brilliant vocal, okay arrangement – but you’ll still be here next week.”
Thapelo performed Sankomota’s Papa, to high praise from the judges. “You have what most artists work years to have, which is a signature voice. We could dim the lights and I would know it’s Thapelo singing,” said Thembi.
“Once you have won this entire thing and you want to hire me as your producer, I will send you my quotation,” said JR. Somizi made a Sankomota reference: “Next week, you will be waiting for your name to be called. And it will be called.”
Wrapping up the show was youngest contestant Zee, who performed Brenda Fassie’s Mama I’m Sorry, with constructive feedback from the judges.
While JR loved the teenager’s performance, calling it “brilliant”, he also said the song’s vocal arrangements weren’t doing her justice because “that voice is super special”.
Somizi agreed, saying: “There’s something very special about you. Next week, find something that will make us connect with you on an emotional level, and then take us to that level.”
Next week will see the top 8 performing songs by their parents’ high school crushes, with a guest performance from Pabi Cooper: who will give us a show to remember? There’s only one way to find out!
Tickets to be in the audience for the Idols SA live shows are now on sale on Computicket (https://tickets.computicket.
Idols SA is on Mzansi Magic, Sundays at 17h00. For more information visit our website: http://www.idolssa.tv