Idols SA announces top nine

CeeJay, Kabelo, Mpilo, Noxolo, Nozi, Tesmin-Robyn, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee will now face off again at Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, on 25 September.

With Heritage Month in full swing, yesterday’s Idols SA (episode 10 of season 18) celebrated the incredible musical history of Mzansi – with contestants recreating Southern African classics in the youth’s image.

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 it high praise: “Bra Joe is so proud wherever he is.”

“You are a natural,” Thembi Seete said.

“The power and control that you have on stage is amazing,” JR Bogopa added: “This is how you open a show.”

Next was Kabelo, taking on Ringo Madlingozi’s ‘Ekuseni’, to mixed feedback from judges. Thembi praised him, saying he “owned the song”, while 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: “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 five.”

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 fly 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 eight performing songs by their parents’ high school crushes, with a guest performance from Pabi Cooper. It’s up to the voters to determine who will make it into the next round of the live music competition.

Tickets to the Idols SA live shows are on sale on Computicket. The audience can purchase tickets for the Idols SA live shows here. Idols SA can be viewed on DStv channel 161 on Sundays from 5.30pm CAT. For more information, visit the Idols SA official website.