Following a series of concerts, 12 of South Africa’s rising urban music stars have been selected to compete for the opportunity to be the opening act for Usher, at the Hansa Festival of Legends at the Orlando Stadium, Joburg, in March 2012.
This past weekend, the 12 regional finalists were selected from a group of 30 artists through a series of concerts in which a tough judging panel evaluated the talent, stage presence and performance of the contestants. The group of 30 had been selected as semi-finalists, following an arduous judging process conducted by Hansa’s team of Talent Search Ambassadors, which have been scouring the length and breadth of the country since November.
HOW TO VOTE
Over the next month, the 12 finalists will be reduced to six winners – one from each region. The choice of the six winners is in the hands of the public who can vote for their favourite performers online www.hansapilsener.co.za, or via their cellphones (dial *120*793#).
Every one of the six winners will have the opportunity to take to the stage at the Hansa Festival of Legends and open the show for multiple Grammy Award winner, Usher. “I am confident that we have unearthed some of South Africa’s most amazing talent,” said judge and Talent Search Ambassador, Thabiso Khati, who has worked with artists ranging from Lucky Dube to L-Tido after the Cape Town leg of the semi-finals. “We have a really special group of performers here, all of whom have long careers in the South African music business ahead of them. And what better way to start than to open for Usher.”
The Finalists are:
GAUTENG:
Mo and the Dark Knight – (aka Sechaba from Isidingo)
The Muffinz
WESTERN CAPE:
Busi M
Nonku Phiri
EASTERN CAPE:
H-Zwegellus
Shoelace
NORTHERN PROVINCE:
Ma’pakshop
Shumi
CENTRAL:
Big size
Mo klaasik
KZN:
Abdus
Mhlathi
