Fashioning Modern Africanism

Idols Judges :Somizi, Thembi and JR In an electrifying performance night,  Idols SA 's top six contestants took center stage, first offering a nostalgic nod to memorable opening auditions and later setting the stage on fire with tunes from Grammy Award winners. Envic  Envic emerged as the first contestant to own the stage, in homage to Karabo's rendition of Nathi’s  Nomvula . He then  delivered a heartfelt performance of   When a Man Loves a Woman  by David Foster. "You're destined for stardom," noted Somizi Mhlongo, while JR Bogopa advised him on fine-tuning his stage theatrics. Faith Faith Followed, revisiting Lennymars' autdtion with Daniel Caesar's  Best Part  and later grooving to Marvin Gaye’s  Sexual Healing . However, the night wasn't entirely in his favour. "You must grasp the essence of a hit song," critiqued Somizi, with Thembi Seete adding concerns about the song's arrangement. Niikiey Astonishing everyone with her take on Tha

Idols SA  top 7 give the best performances of their careers in a spectacular Showstopper The final-ever Showstopper in  Idols SA  entertained its way into the history books as one of the most outstanding in the competition’s 19 seasons. With flames, fireworks and sensational choreography coming to the  Mosaïek Teatro  stage, it was the perfect setting for the unveiling of the top 7. Making the cut, in no particular order, were: Envic, Faith, Niikiey, Nkosi, Princess, Thabo and Thando. It was unfortunately the end of the  Idols SA  journey for Sena. In a special twist, Sena still performed her Showstopper number despite elimination, taking on Rihanna’s  Rude Boy .  Preceded by a dazzling guest appearance from Ntate Stunna and Nthabi (singing  Stimela ), the top 7 gave the most entertaining performances of their careers thus far, fighting for precious viewer votes to bring them one step closer to clinching the ultimate prize. Kicking things off was Nkosi with Usher’s  Good Kisser , to mi

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

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

With just two weeks to go before the   Idols SA   season 18 winner is crowned, and after last week’s top four enjoyed a coastal adventure in Cape Town, the show have reached the most anticipated stage of the competition yet: the top three.   Making the cut, after over 15 million viewer votes this week, are: Mpilo, Nozi and Thapelo, with Ty Loner’s road unfortunately coming to an end.   With a nuanced yet uplifting live show in front of a packed Heartfelt Arena in Tshwane, the finalists performed three songs each. To paraphrase host ProVerb, that was triple the music for viewers – but also triple the pressure for the singers.   For their first song, contestants performed the track they first auditioned with. The next round saw them performing classic diva hits, and the final songs were chosen by the judges.   Nozi kicked things off with Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.’s   Best Part . “It was like we were at your concert, and you sang it like Nozi would sing it,” said Somizi. Her next song was

As judge JR Bogopa said, it’s no longer about proving that they can sing – contestants must show that they have what it takes to win it all.  Making up the season 18 top 4 are: Mpilo, Nozi, Thapelo and Ty Loner. Sadly, it was time to say goodbye to Zee. Before they were announced in the top 4, the five contestants kicked things off with a group performance, re-imagining PJ Morton’s  How Deep Is Your Love  in front of an enthusiastic full house at Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena. This was followed by an electrifying guest performance from De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef and Sino Msolo with the amapiano megahit  Jola .  Mpilo was first to perform, taking on  Khusela  by Kabza De Small and Msaki.  Thembi Seete said: “I admire the discipline and control you have with your vocals. It was a very hard song, but you held it down.” Mpilo’s next song, later in the show, was  Jealous  by Labrinth, under the theme ‘How it should have been done’ – contestants taking on Wooden Mic performances and giving them

Celeb cameos, special effects, pyrotechnics, motorbikes, vibrant choreography, and the country’s best singers giving it their all: the Showstopper Night of   Idols SA   took production and entertainment value to new heights.   Making it to the season 18 top 7 – after over 8.5 million viewer votes this week – were: Kabelo, Mpilo, Noxolo, Nozi, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee. Going home was CeeJay.   The audience in Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena and viewers at home were entertained by an opening group performance of Beyonceì’s  Get Me Bodied , a special appearance from Mpho Popps and guest performance by Robot Boii.   First to perform was Kabelo, whose rendition of Usher’s  Yeah!  was met with a mixed response from the judges. Somizi Mhlongo said: “You were completely out of your comfort zone, but you gave it your all. I would give you ‘A’ for effort.”   Thembi Seete said: “Thank you for introducing us to the happy Kabelo”, while JR Bogopa wasn’t impressed: “You were off-key and flat in most asp