IDOLS : It’s Karabo vs Mmatema

Mmatema- All because of you

WITH Alberton’s Rhema Varrie falling at the last hurdle, the only woman left standing in Idols SA Season 11, 23-year-old Mmatema Moremi, took on 24-year-old Karabo Mogane in the Top 2 Spectacular for the title of South Africa’s next Idol.

The Top 2 each had three chances to impress the judges and the voters tonight: first, a song chosen for them by the Idols SA producers, then the brand new single that they would release if they won the competition, and finally a repeat of their Showstopper song from the Top 7 Spectacular.

The Top 2 Spectacular was also jam-packed with guest performances from some of South Africa’s top artists, like Danny K and Anantii, and Durban’s DJ Fisherman, along with NaakMusiQ, Dreamteam, Danger, and DJ Sk, and a spectacular opening number by the rest of the Idols SA Season 11 Top 10: Nadia Herbst, Elwira Standili, Lungisa Xhamela, Amanda Antony, Dineo Moseki, Loyiso Gijana, and Siphelele Ngcobo, performing Major Lazer’s “Lean On Me”

But the enthusiastic State Theatre audience was there to see which one of the Top 2 finalists would come out tops, and first out on stage to perform the song that the Idols SA producers selected for him was Karabo Mogane with Michael Bublé’s “Home”.
Gareth Cliff praised Karabo’s versatility and Somizi Mhlongo said he was the best male vocalist of all seasons and that he wanted Karabo to sing at his wedding. Unathi Msengana thought it was the most romantic rendition of a Bublé cover. And Randall advised him to give his very best performances now in the race to the final.
Karabo’s Winner’s Song if he should win next week is called “Ding Dong”. He told Gareth that he was over the moon to have his own song and Gareth thought it was a very sexy song. “I had to restrain Somizi,” he joked. Somizi reserved judgment – maybe I will like it more the more I hear it,” he said, but Unathi thought everybody would be talking about it tomorrow. And Randall thought it was a very special to finally hear the Idols singing their own music.
And Karabo’s choice to end on, for the “Showstopper” round, was EDM hit “Blame” from Calvin Harris. “You’re not giving an inch, dude!” Gareth exclaimed. He thought that was Karabo’s best performance ever. Somizi had to call for order and he jokingly told Karabo to “Gerrarra here!” Unathi praised Karabo for showing how versatile he is, and Randall wished him good luck for the final week.

The producers chose the brand new Adele smash hit “Hello” for Mmatema Moremi’s first round and Gareth thought she might have won the competition with that song alone. “Those are the types of songs you have to sing,” Somizi advised her. “You speak to the heart and the soul,” he said. Unathi said she couldn’t believe that this was Mmatema’s third time entering this competition. And Randall said he looked forward to working with Mmatema in the future.

Karabo – Ding Dong

Mmatema first single as South Africa’s eleventh Idol if voting goes her way this week will be “Because of You”, produced by DJ Cleo. Gareth told Mmatema how happy he was for her and Zomisi already couldn’t stop singing the hook. Unathi thanked her for singing an anthem that is empowering for young women. Randall commented on how hard Idols contestants have to work and said how much he’s looking forward to the finale next week. “It’s going to be tough,” he predicted.
Mmatema repeated her Whitney Houston hit “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” for her “Showstopper” round. “There’s nothing really to say except well done and good luck,” Gareth said, and Somizi and Unathi both praised her as being brilliant. “You worked really, really hard, you deserve to be here and good luck,” Randall said in closing.

Voting for the Top 2 opened during the course of last night’s live broadcast and will only close at 22:00 Friday evening, 20 November.

And then the result will be announced live at the spectacular Idols SA Season 11 Finalé at Carnival City next Sunday [22 November], featuring guest performances from MiCasa, Judith Sephuma, Cassper Novest, and the Idols SA Season 11 Top 10. And rumour has it even Somizi Mhlongo might be coming out from behind the judges’ desk. Multi-choice
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