Fashioning Modern Africanism

Idols SA's top five showcased a divine twist this Saturday, sharing the stage with gospel giants like Dr Tumi, Xolly  Mncwango,  and Betusile. The evening began with spirit-lifting gospel duets and transitioned into a selection of hits from some of Africa's most promising talents.   Opening the night, Thabo teamed up with Dr Tumi to deliver  Wafika . His performance resonated so well that Somizi credited him with holding his own alongside the gospel legend. “Round one  went  to Thabo. When you sing next to a giant like Dr Tumi and still make your presence felt, you’re doing a great job.” However, his second song,  Peru  by Fireboy DML featuring Ed Sheeran, received mixed reviews from the judges.   After her breakthrough performance last week, Princess teamed up with Xolly  Mncwango  for  Ungukuphila . She then set the stage on fire with Burna Boy's  For My Hand  featuring Ed Sheeran. The judges loved her vocal strength but reminded her of the importance of a holistic perfor

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

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

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

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

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