SOUTH AFRICA'S TV WEBSITE
SIGN IN SEARCH MENU
SOUTH AFRICA'S TV WEBSITE


How Do They Choose The Popstars Hit Song?

Written by Tashi from the blog Tashi's TV on 10 Oct 2010
Favourite this post


101_single adilah_2 ghetto_lingo_1
Who's It Gonna Be? Ses'fikile Pump It Up
Past winning singles

On Saturday night Popstars recapped the good, the bad and the rubbish from all of the season's auditions and revealed the Top 46 contestants who've made it through to Workshop Week - which will be on the show next week.

To catch-up with the season so far, here's a link to recaps of each episode: Popstars Recaps 2010.

With the competition moving to the next phase you may have wondered the same thing as me: how do they choose the hit that the group's going to sing? I've been quizzy about this from the start, when they showed the signature songs of previous winners.

While I was on location perving Kev' I investigated and discovered that he has a collection of over 100 original songs tucked in his iPod rucksack. He carries them with him everywhere and listens to them constantly - sifting through, choosing the best, removing some from the equation, getting to know them thoroughly.

kevin_100 kevin_200

Ultimately one of the songs that he's carrying will become the winning song for the new group.

All of the songs up for consideration have been submitted to EMI by songwriters from round the world - including South African songwriters - and they're all in different genres, ranging from pop to hip-hop to rock.

The final choice is going to be strongly infuenced by who the winning group is so that it suits their combo-style and genre. For the first time in the series the group themselves will be involved in choosing both their first single and also, the songs for their album. In previous seasons the winners were simply given the tracks.

They'll be working with Kev' in studio, he'll present all his findings to them and together they're going to decide on their hit as well as the full album playlist.

When they get to this stage the songs could be changed quite radically from their original vibe to suit the group more. Because all of the tracks are in different genres they'll be changed to ensure that they suit the genre of the winning group 100%.

For instance if they choose a song with a strongly electronic pop feel and the group has an afro-pop feel to it, then the song will be reworked to include African rhythms, riffs and choruses.

As for the effects that are going to be used in the final mix of the single and album - of course I had to ask if they're going to be smothered in lies a.k.a AUTOTUNE. Kev's reply to the question: "No."



2 Comments

pkpage
11 Oct 2010 15:26

Well  this was a blog worth my time Tashi.

Whoever has been choosing the songs for the previous group was great. This is because I can associate that song with that group and make it easy for whoever is not a fan of the show to know which popstars I'm talking about.

I have lost interest in the show ever since it left our screens. I have not watched a single episode. Well not because I didn't try but mainly for the fact that I have to tv. But if the show had that effect it once had, I would have made means to make sure that I do catch it. But ke, I don't.

Thanks for the updates...

Ingenuity
11 Oct 2010 16:17

Is Jacobus or Coby on the list of 46?


Only TVSA members can reply to this thread. Click here to login or register.






LATEST ARTICLES

Solve the clues in eExtra's Bloedspoor

Solve these seven multiple choice questions to uncover the riddle of the show's scenario.


Cacau Teasers - July 2025

Tiago decides to break up with Pipa because he is in love with Cacau.


New on TV today: Wednesday 11 June 2025

90 Day: Hunt for Love begins on TLC and Netflix does a deep dive into The OceanGate Disaster.


Scandal! Teasers - July 2025

Taps and Sanda are forced to lie to their son about the true identity of his Samaritan.


New on TV today: Tuesday 10 June 2025

Disney+ introduces Call Her Alex and Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy drops on Netflix.


Generations: The Legacy Teasers - July 2025

Pele is baffled by a mysterious bag of cash and Kea is shocked by what the inyanga wants them to do.


New on TV today: Monday 9 June 2025

Medical drama Doc is new on M-Net and HISTORY gets to grips with Hell on Earth: WWII.


New on TV today: Sunday 8 June 2025

Ocean with David Attenborough drops on Disney+ and Nat Geo Wild explores The Secret Life of Orcas.


New on TV today: Saturday 7 June 2025

HGTV spinoff Bargain Block: Bargain Buys begins and Yash'ingoma 3 is new on Mzansi Magic Music.


On Carte Blanche: Vultures poisoned in vicious poaching attack

83 lives have been saved after one of South Africa's worst wildlife poisoning events.

LATEST SITE ACTIVITY


More activity at TVSA Central



LATEST SOAPIE TEASERS



LATEST SOAPIE TEASERS





×
×

You browser doesn't have Flash, Silverlight, Gears, BrowserPlus or HTML5 support.