Fashioning Modern Africanism

The show opened with the top four being paired with four of South Africa’s gospel greats for some spiritually uplifting performances that bowled over the judges. ZanoThando was first with a duet with Dr Rebecca Malope. The performance injected a huge dose of energy as they belted out Rebecca’s hit,  ‘Ngegazi Lemvana’.  Randall Abrahams gave ZanoThando the thumbs up, saying the performance proved last week was not a fluke. “You did really well on  ‘Angelina’  last week and … you really did well on this,” he  said. Both Unathi Nkayi and Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung were in agreement, with Unathi adding that the judges had been hard on him over the weeks because they had seen his potential. Unfortunately, though, ZanoThando bowed out of the competition, having failed to gain enough of the 21 million votes cast to guarantee him a spot in the top three. Brandon was paired with Benjamin Dube in a performance of ‘ El-Shaddai Adonai’   that Randall described using words once used for American music

Last night’s top four Idols SA hopefuls showed that   local is   lekker   as they tried to win the hearts and votes of their fans that they have what it takes to be the next South African idol. The contestants paid homage to the music stable that might just be their home if they win the competition –  Kalawa Jazmee – and performed songs by artists who have been part of the record label over the years. The second half of the show featured a favourite from last year – The Mzansi Gay Choir. Having said goodbye to Ndoni, who did not manage to win enough votes to make it into the top four, the remaining contestants pulled off a spectacular show, displaying just how badly they want to advance to the next stage. ZanoThando opened the evening’s performances on a high note, receiving all round praises for his first performance –  ‘Via Orlando’  by DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota featuring Dr Malinga. Randall Abrahams commended him for the brilliant song choice, which allowed him to focus on his strengths.

It was another music double header with the Idols  SA hopefuls performing twice. For their first performances, they showed the wooden mic contenders – and the rest of Mzansi – how it should be performed, bringing back to life songs that had suffered horrible deaths during the audition rounds. In the second half of the show, they sang Mzansi’s most Shazamed hits. With Ntokozo sadly out of the running after she was eliminated in last night’s show, Ndoni, Mr Music, Zama, Brandon and ZanoThando will now need to ensure they woo her fans to gain those extra votes. And if the judges’ comments are anything to go by, they lived up to their expectations. The powerhouse Ndoni opened the evening with Berita’s  ‘Ndicel’ ikiss’  and before returning later to perform  ‘Senzeni’  by DJ Manzo SA. Randall Abrahams said she was sufficiently unique to always have a fighting chance in the competition, while Unathi Nkayi said she had been phenomenal. Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung was ecstatic, saying she had kille

As the search continues for the 16 th   Idols SA winner, the competition is getting tougher, with the contestants continuing to impress with their exceptional talent.  However, there can only be one winner and as impressive as Be was last week, she became the second contestant in the top 10 to say goodbye to that dream, having failed to secure enough votes to progress to the top eight. But for the remaining contestants, it was yet another week to bring on their A-game.   Last night, the top eight paid homage to those who are still new to the music industry but are owning their space. Performing under the theme “New kids on the block”, the Idols SA hopefuls had the judges full of praise, proving that they too will soon be claiming their space in the music industry.   Performing Zandi Khumalo’s  ‘NgiyaKhuthanda’,  Bongi started the show on a high note – with the judges praising her warmly for her performance. Randall Abrahams said sticking with the ballads was working for her, but highli

Lastnight, IdolsSA was intense with the contestants  starting to  show their versatility and hunger to win it as they performed under the theme ‘lockdown hits’. It's some of the contestants song choice for me that will fail them. Song choice plays a key part at this stage of the competition. Mzansi want to see versatility and be blown away. Only a few of the contestants managed to pull flammable performances that will earn them the viewers votes.  Jooma, the first to be named as part of the top 9, was first to perform, singing Loyiso’s  ‘Madoda  Sabelani’.  While Unathi Nkayi merely thanked him on behalf of the women of South Africa, Randall Abrahams advised him to “change it up” for more variety even as he commended him, calling him a good vocalist. Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung praised the performance, saying it was enough to take him to the finals and beyond. Bongi was next with  ‘Stand Up’  by Cynthia Erivo. Unathi said it was a beautiful performance, while Somizi said her performance