Fashioning Modern Africanism

It was a night of euphoric highs and incredible performances as the  Idols SA  top 8 paid tribute to one of the biggest-selling and most celebrated artists of all time. The season 19 finalists sang songs from the playbook of  American Idol  judge Lionel Richie, reminding everyone why they are in the hottest competition on TV by showing off their artistic range. The songs were chosen by each finalist’s family.   Performing in the top 8, in no particular order, were: Thando, Sena, Envic, Niikiey, Thabo, Princess, Nkosi, and Faith. Sadly, it was time to bid Lungelo goodbye.   Before the top 8 were unveiled, the top 9 kicked off the show with a spirited performance of the Ami Faku, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small hit  Abalele . That was followed by Inkabi Zezwe – the duo of Big Zulu and Sjava – who brought their track  Sayona  to the  Mosaïek Teatro  stage.   First to perform in the top 8 was Thando, who took on  Love, Oh Love . The judges had praise and pointers, with JR Bogopa saying: “T

The ladies performed duets with high-profile past contestants and winners for a killer show High emotion, higher notes and blockbuster duets: that’s how the first live show of  Idols SA  season 19 kicked off. The six ladies who are part of the top 12 set the stage ablaze, performing at the Mosaïek Teatro in Johannesburg in front of a spirited 2 500-strong audience.   With their fate now entirely in viewers’ hands, the performers sang their hearts out for precious votes by teaming up with former  Idols SA  winners and finalists, before going at it alone.   Kicking things off was Lungile, who collaborated with season 14 winner Yanga on  Not Yet Uhuru  by Letta Mbulu. Her solo performance was a rendition of Lloyiso and Langa Mavuso’s  Inhliziyo . Thembi Seete called Lungile’s performance “a powerful way to start the show”, while Somizi Mhlongo said: “You were quite nervous in your first song, but your second one redeemed you to the core. Now I am going to remember you.”   Next up was Niik

Amapiano hitmakers, a top 10 reunion and brand new solo singles: tonight’s  Idols SA  show was the most spectacular yet, with the top 2 for season 18 being announced as Nozi and Thapelo. Sadly, it was the end of the  Idols SA  road for Mpilo. Alongside the  Idols SA  season 18 crown, next week the winner will walk away with an impressive prize haul: just over R1-million cash, made up of R350,000 in a Standard Bank MyMo account (sponsored by Old Mutual), R300,000 from Spotify and R350,000 from Mzansi Magic; access to a Standard Bank wealth manager; a Toyota Starlet; a fashion voucher from Truworths and their live show outfits, all to the value of R100,000; R85,000 worth of musical equipment from Yamaha; and a recording contract with Kalawa Jazmee Records.  Last night’s live show at the Heartfelt Arena in Tshwane opened with an electrifying performance from Musa Keys and Konke singing the amapiano hits  M’nike  and  Selema (Po Po) . Before the top 2 were announced, the then-top 3 debuted

After a dramatic showstopper episode last week, tonight’s   Idols SA   saw season 18 contestants share their truest selves as they sang songs that inspired them, followed by soaring collaborations with MTN Joyous Celebration. With over 8.5 million viewer votes this week, the top 6 are Mpilo, Noxolo, Nozi, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee. Sadly, it was the end of the road for Kabelo. Joining the crowd was British boxing icon Chris Eubank, there to witness the best the contestants had to give the full house at Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena. Opening the show was Zee, who performed Christina Aguilera’s  Hurt , and later,  Uzuliphathe Kahle  with Joyous. Commenting on the first performance, Somizi Mhlongo said: “You were flawless. Your lower register is insane – you sounded confident and mature.” Thembi Seete agreed: “You can do any song right now… The second performance injected life into us.”  JR Bogopa also had high praise for the 18-year-old: “You’re in your element. You’re growing to become the

Tapping into music their parents grew up listening to, the  Idols SA  season 18 top 8 took us on a dazzling trip down memory lane with some of the world’s greatest hits from artists such as The Beatles, Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey.    With over 7 million votes this week, Mzansi decided that their top 8 was: Nozi, CeeJay, Zee, Kabelo, Ty Loner, Thapelo, Mpilo and Noxolo. Sadly, Tesmin-Robyn’s  Idols SA  journey came to an end.    The show started off with an electrifying group performance paying tribute to kwaito legends TKZee. The top 8 had the Heartfelt Arena on their feet with an upbeat medley of  Dlala Mapantsula, Phala Fala, Fiasco  and  Shibobo .    Amapiano sensation Pabi Cooper kept the momentum going with an energetic performance of  Banyana ke bafana  and  Waga Bietjie .    Starting off was Nozi, who delivered Roberta Flack’s  The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face  — this was her father’s high school crush.    Somizi Mhlongo, who gave Nozi a standing ovation, said: “There’s

After two weeks of stellar performances from the top 12 and over 7.5 million viewer votes garnered, the   Idols SA   season 18 top 10 has been decided. They are: CeeJay, Kabelo, Lerato, Mpilwenhle, Noxolo, Nozi, Tesmin-Robyn, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee.  Na rrowly missing out were Hope and Nandi.   Opening the live show was Mpilwenhle performing Amanda Black’s hit   Kahle , to unanimous praise from the judges. Somizi Mhlongo said: “You are living your name: impilo yinhle. You deserve to be where you are.”   JR Bogopa added: “Clearly, South Africa did not make a mistake. You were born for that stage.”   Next to be announced was Thapelo, who sang Celine Dion’s classic   All By Myself . The judges were happy with his performance, with Thembi Seete saying: “I know why Mzansi is falling in love with you – it’s because you are yourself. The approach you took to the song was perfect for you.”   Tesmin-Robyn sang Moneoa’s   More Than You , getting a lukewarm response from the judges. Somizi ca

Taking place at   Idols SA ’s new home, Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena, it was the competition’s first live show in front of a full house since the pandemic began – with over 2,300 people in the audience. The first voting show of the season also featured collaborations between contestants and some of the biggest stars in the music industry.    "It feels good to be back!” said host ProVerb as he introduced the first live show of Idols SA season 18, and – with electrifying performances that saw six of the top 12 take to the stage – he was on the money. Kicking things off was this season’s youngest singer, 18-year-old Zee, who performed a duet with Kelly Khumalo on her soaring hit  Empini . For her solo act, Zee sang the sexy  Surprise  by Chlöe. All three judges praised her solo performance, with Thembi Seete calling Zee’s delivery “beautiful”. While both JR Bogopa and Somizi Mhlongo also applauded her, Somizi felt that the teenager was intimidated by singing with a star the calibre of K

There is a new twist in this year’s search for the next  Idols SA  winner – season 18’s live performances will kick off with 12 contestants vying for the top spot as opposed to the usual top 10. This is following a pressure-filled and gruelling few weeks for contestants, who have made it through the famously tough theatre week The top 12 were announced in tonight’s episode, a two-hour show that showcased the highly impressive top 32 performances – evidence of the tough competition contestants faced. Making it even tougher was the surprise reveal that, instead of the traditional top 16 at this stage of the show, this year’s competition would cut the number down to 12, who would then perform in the live shows starting next week.  The judges – Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete and JR Bogopa – have done their bit: from Sunday 28 August, it’s in viewers’ hands, where votes will determine who stays and who goes home. Without further ado, here are the top 12 contestants for  Idols SA  season 18. C