Group song: Get Me Bodied – Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Solange Knowles
What an opener. There was a brief period between Destiny’s Child and her solo career where Beyoncé wasn’t the biggest pop star on the planet. Here’s all six minutes. And it’s in tandem with her former bandmates, and sister. You can hear her start to rule the world atop some Baltimore bounce.
Mpiwlenhle: Beyoncé – Run the World (Girls)
Oh, here’s Bey, running the world. And Mphilo can’t be far behind – but can we get a horse onto that stage? Pretty emphatic and unambiguous messaging here from the Queen – a sure-fire fire-starter.
Zee: Beyoncé – Grown Woman
Let’s just get the Bey outta the way (for this week). Lo res video by her standards – fantastic track, beats in sync, vox perfectly syncopated with a racy rhythm track. She can literally do whatever she wants.
Ty Loner: Bruno Mars – Locked out of Heaven
Were this not a Bruno Mars number, would it approaching 1 billion YouTube views? It’s essentially a The Poilce song (Google them, yung ungs). Even down to the old school video. Ty Loner will be in his zone.
Thapelo: Master KG ft. Zanda Zakuza & Makhadzi – Di Boya Limpopo
Yummy. Master KG flexes – Zanda and Makhadzi support. Not quite amapiano, or kwaito, or traditional – all the way-Afro-pop and good vibes. This percussion will simply drive you insane.
CeeJay: Ne-Yo – Closer
Iconic Ne-Yo – what’s not to love? You wearing that hat, CeeJay? Whatever way, this uptempo RnB number certainly plays into the singer’s strengths.
Kabelo: Usher –Yeah!
Superficially simple but probably the hardest of the bunch this week. Just weaving between the Lil Jon and Ludacrius verses is mammoth. That said, Usher – and by extension Kabelo’s – task is simple: match that massive backtrack.
Noxolo: Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody
OK Nox: knock yourself out! A superficially simple disco track, nobody executes like Whitney (and our band), but this track is not easy – and it requires immaculate stage presence.
Guest Artist: Robot Boii – Medley
Talk about Heritage: Robot Boii is the son of legendary poet Mzwakhe Mbuli. Whaddya want: amapiano, rap, comedy? This young ‘un delivers – and there’s a dance too. Cannot wait!
Catch the Idols SA contestants live on Mzansi Magic at 17:00 on Sundays. Follow the action on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok using #IdolsSA.