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Amapiano hitmakers, a top 10 reunion, and fresh new solo singles: tonight’s Idols SA show was the most spectacular yet, with Nozi and Thapelo named as the season 18 top two.
Mpilo’s time on Idols SA had come to an end. With over 18.5 million votes cast this week, the season audience vote total now stands at an amazing 100 million.
Along with the Idols SA season 18 title, the winner will receive an impressive prize package: 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 worth R100,000; R85,000 in musical equipment from Yamaha; and a re
Musa Keys and Konke launched tonight’s live event at Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena with an exhilarating performance of the amapiano hits M’nike and Selema (Po Po). The top three debuted their Kalawa Jazmee-produced solo tracks before the top two were revealed.
Mpilo sang Ngiyazifela, her groovy, amapiano-inspired love song, which producer Oskido described as “something unusual and fresh.”
All three judges were impressed, with Thembi Seete saying: “We all know you can sing, but what blew me away was the choreography, attitude and confidence on stage. You are on another level. What a beautiful song.”
Next, Thapelo performed his up-tempo, December-ready jam Phanda – a song Oskido said he “had to think about which direction to take in”. While not all the judges were fully impressed, JR said he was happy to see Thapelo’s fun side.
About Nozi’s debut solo single Idliso, Oskido said the production team “decided to do more of an Afro-soul track”. The judges praised Nozi’s performance of the catchy heartbreak song, with Somizi Mhlongo saying: “It’s definitely up your alley, you really gave it your heart.”
Streaming of all three singles is now available.
CeeJay, Kabelo, Lerato, Noxolo, Tesmin-Robyn, Ty Loner, and Zee, the previously evicted top seven contestants, performed the Q-Mark, TpZee, Afriikan Papi, and Cloud9ne song Paris. Ndoni, a Season 16 top 5 competitor, also performed Angfuni Omunye.
The top two sang for the last time for public votes, first with Thapelo’s rendition of Hugh Masekela’s Thanayi, before he later delivered his song of the season, The Beatles’ Let It Be.
Somizi compared Thapelo to soul legends Patti LaBelle and Phil Perry: “Their vocal affections are to go high. It is natural to them, and so it is to you. So, if someone says you scream or you shout, they are not your target market. It’s fine. Maybe your loud is too expensive for them.”
Nozi took on Mango Groove’s Moments Away, before later performing her song of the season, Jennifer Hudson’s Giving Myself.
JR had this to say: “You can hardly put a foot wrong. I’m a sucker for a female vocalist with a nice range and with colour. Whether you win the competition or not, you have won South Africa’s heart.”
This week’s voting will be extended to Thursday, November 10 at 10 p.m. as the season’s final vote.
The Idols SA season 18 finale is finally here, months after thousands auditioned and weeks into the stunning live events that have produced some of the most unforgettable performances in the show’s history.
Next week’s broadcast will feature a final top 10 performance, as well as special appearances by award-winning rapper AKA, popular muso Costa Titch, the iconic Oskido, season 17 champion Berry, and African superstar D’Banj