Pressure is mounting on the Idols SA stage as last night’s exhilarating episode saw the top 4 edge one step closer to the finale. 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 the ultimate Idols SA treatment.
Of Mpilo’s take, JR said: “There are very few musicians in South Africa with the kind of vocal range and ability that you have. You are one of a kind.”
Next was Ty Loner, who took on Musa Keys and Loui’s Selema, with Somizi Mhlongo saying: “Today, I see what South Africa sees in you. You’re not perfect, but you’re a popstar. You have something that money can’t buy.”
Ty’s next song was John Legend’s You & I. Thembi enjoyed it, saying: “With this performance, you were putting your heart out on the floor. You looked amazing and you sounded great.”
Next was Thapelo performing Lloyiso’s Seasons, leaving JR unimpressed: “We know you guys can sing, but now it’s about how you treat the song. It took a bit too long to get us to where we were emotionally connecting with the song.”
Thapelo took the stage again to sing Vusi Nova’s Ndikuthandile, with Somizi saying: “I’ve heard this song a million times, but you sang it like Thapelo would. My advice for you is to never apologise for being Thapelo.”
Nozi’s first performance of the night was Mvzzle’s Thando, to which Thembi said: “It was great to see you so relaxed and having fun with the song, but I really struggled to connect with it. I’m glad you tried, pushed and showed us a different side of you.”
Later on, Nozi closed the show with a performance of Beyonce’s Listen. JR summed it up by saying: “Let me tell you something, sisi. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You’re too close to the finish line to be playing with sounds – you need to kill us with what you know you’re good at, ‘cos that’s what we want. This was brilliant.”
With just three shows left before we crown the season 18 Idols SA winner, and with the contestants soon set to record their solo singles produced by Kalawa Jazmee, our hottest season yet keeps bringing the heat – and the hits!
Image Cred: Supplied