Tapping into music their parents grew up listening to, the Idols SA season 18, top 8 took us on a dazzling trip down memory lane. With some of the world’s greatest hits from artists such as The Beatles, Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey.
With over 7 million votes this week, Mzansi decided who their top 8 is. Namely, Nozi, CeeJay, Zee, Kabelo, Ty Loner, Thapelo, Mpilo and Noxolo. Sadly, Tesmin-Robyn’s Idols SA journey came to an end.
The show started off with an electrifying group performance paying tribute to kwaito legends TKZee. The top 8 had the Heartfelt Arena on their feet with an upbeat medley of Dlala Mapantsula, Phala Fala, Fiasco and Shibobo.
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Amapiano sensation, Pabi Cooper kept the momentum going with an energetic performance of Banyana ke bafana and Waga Bietjie.
Starting off was Nozi, who delivered Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. This was her father’s high school crush.
Somizi Mhlongo, who gave Nozi a standing ovation, and said: “There’s no word in the dictionary that can describe what you’ve just done.”
He said Nozi could have been “big headed” after a mention from international singing sensation, Jennifer Hudson this week. Who commended her performance of Giving Myself.
“A song like that is hard to mess up when you have a brilliant voice. You personified what it is to be a vocal powerhouse,” JR Bogopa said.
CeeJay serenaded the judges with Mafikizolo’s Mas’thokoze, receiving some constructive feedback.
Thembi Seete said: “I didn’t know where you were going with the song, but you recovered. There’s nothing I can fault.”
JR begged to differ. “There was no vocal control. I know you were a bit unsure by singing to the judges, but it was not it.”
Next was Zee, who sang UB40’s I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You. JR said he appreciated her raspy, smooth vocals. “Thank you for listening to the judges last week.”
“You looked the part and sounded the part, you rectified everything”, before making a UB40 reference: “Trust me, I am falling in love with you,” Somizi said.
Thembi agreed: “You sounded beautiful, you were soft, gentle and gave the song a queen-like interpretation. This week you came back with a bang.”
Kabelo took on the Luther Vandross hit, Here and Now, receiving a muted response from the judges.
Somizi said Kabelo needed to up his game. “You chose a difficult song. This one has put you in a dangerous position.”
Seete agreed, saying she got scared when learning which song Kabelo would perform. She advised him to “pay attention to your verses as much as you pay attention to your chorus.”
Up next was Ty Loner, who sang New Edition’s Can You Stand The Rain.
Thembi said it was another big performance for him. “If it happens that you don’t win, you are going to be fine. Carry on with the discipline and passion you have.”
JR said there were many successful versions of this song, but the Ty Loner one “is right up there with my favourites.”
Thapelo was next and delivered an emotionally charged performance of The Beatles’ Let it Be, reducing him to tears and scoring him a standing ovation from all three judges.
JR thanked him for his talent and sharing it with the country. “That rendition could easily be a gospel one that could be released by you. You’re one big bundle of talent. You’re special man.”
Somizi said Thapelo performed like a million bucks and gave the singer a signature “Woo Shem!”
Mpilo gave her own rendition of Mariah Carey’s Hero, which highly impressed the judging panel.
Somizi described her performance with one word. “Perfection.” Thembi said it was beautiful to witness Mpilo’s growth in the competition. “You carried the song like a queen.”
JR commended Mpilo for carrying the song alone, without any backing vocals. “If your fans let you down and don’t vote for you, I’ll sign you myself,” he said.
Wrapping up the show was Noxolo, who performed Natalie Cole’s Miss You Like Crazy.
Thembi said Noxolo was “such a joy to watch”. “I’m sure your mom is super proud. You’re putting in the work.”
JR said: “Vocal-wise you’re flawless. You’re really doing well. Just watch out for over-dramatising.“
Next week will see the performers battling out in an instalment of showstopper night. You know what that means – costumes, energy and a vibrant set. Make sure not to miss out on the action.