In a history-making all-boy semi-finale, the Top 3 went head-to-head on the Idols stage for a spot in the final. Performing three songs each, one selected by the judges, another by the Idols' music director RJ Benjamin and the last their own selection, they brought war.
MUSA
Here you have a hardcore singer who will give you delightful vocals all the way. If anything Musa did from the beginning of the competition was deliver 100% on vocals, although one-dimentional, Musa is a threat to the two. Couple that with his popularity in the social networks then we might just be surprised.
Unathi chose a mesh-up of Mahlathini’s “Meropa” and Zakes Bantwini’s “Clap your hands” which was such a hot mess. The other two performances, self-chosen “Inkomo” by The Soil and RJ’s choice “Love” by Musiq Soulchild were an easy go for Musa.
“There’s very little that can throw you off your game. I think you are in the final,” praised Gareth Cliff after one of his performances, to which Unathi positively seconded with “You were fantastic.” Musa is definitely in the finale, but is he a possible winner? I think his weight might work AGAINST him big time. Your thoughts?
BRENDEN
Then you have full package “Idol”, golden voiced and a hit with the ladies….young and old. Brenden is your typical Idol and has all the makes of one. Brenden’s face alone will have many ladies pick up his CD straight to the cashier. He’s had his high and low moments in the competition and his popularity has had its fair share of tremor but he pulled back and reclaimed the Ben 10 spot.
After Ben 10’s interpretation of Gareth’s choice, Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and the Beast”, Gareth shouted “Ours was the best!” The vocals were clear and Brenden was #InItToWinIt. Unathi said “you know your voice and you are in full control of your voice”, this was a stamp to say Ben 10 was sailing his way straight to the final.
But it wasn’t until the hard-to-please judge Randal’s comment, ”the song will carry you there; unless you do really bad in your third song, there’s no way I don’t see you in the final” that we knew Ben 10 would be a possible finalist.
Brenden’s performances of Miguel’s “Do you” and Bruno Mars’s “Locked out of heaven” were stamps of confirmation for his procession. Is he a winner? Looking at the state of things now, this one should be obvious…
SONKE
Sonke is a vocal beast, but does he fit the “Idol” look? Yes/No/Maybe? He has been growing in leaps and bounds since the night he won millions of hearts with a rendition of Rihanna’s “Diamonds”. He has since been unstoppable.
Sonke got swallowed against Musa and Brenden, his vocal power, stage presence, execution came least. Although vocally he stands his own, it was hard for him to peak. I blame the song choices he was given. Sabotage much? And the commentary from the judges didn’t help either, it felt like a “throw Sonke into a ditch” festival.
His choice of Sipho Hotstix Mabuse’s “Burn Out” sounded best among the three. The Nicki Minaj “Turn me on” performance only had fire in the chorus, and had Randall saying “I just wish you could have been more playful in the verses.”
Then, DeBarges’s “Rhythm of the Night” went straight to flatville and I saw Sonke’s dream fading in front of me helplessly. Only Sonke’s followers can save him from tomorrow’s chop.
Would he stand a chance to win if saved? Definitely, but that’s if the entire support base which currently backs up tomorrow’s evicted Idol gathers to join Sonke’s current followership …
@narekekana