SA public to decide the opening act for Usher

Mo and the Dark Knights

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."

A very diverse crowd

All budding with talent, the 12 finalists represent a very diverse crowd. From the smooth jazz sounds of the Western Cape's diminutive Nonku Phiri, who sent shivers through the crowd with her powerful vocals, to Bloemfontein's BigSize, a hip hop/rap artist who won the judges over with his ode to his home town. In fact, Bloemfontein attracted some of the strongest competitors this weekend, including finalist Mo Klaasik, who travelled all the way from Mafikeng on several busses to make it to the concert and performed a spirited fusion of hip hop and Afro pop.

In the Northern Province, Pretoria's eclectic mix of young musicians didn't disappoint, with R&B crooner Shumi and infectious hip hop group Ma'Pakshop advancing through to the next round. Gauteng's Mo and the Dark Knights, the 10-man band that blends jazz, R&B and funk, and alternative musicians, The Muffinz, both made the top 12 while in the Western Cape, Nonku Phiri will be joined by dance artist and aspiring academic, Busi M.

A chance to enter the big leagues

KZN saw hip hop/rap reign supreme, with Abdus and Mhlati both forming part of the top 12. Their young, energised and infectious beats and vocals had the crowds in a spin, much like Eastern Cape finalists, R&B and soul band Shoelace and dance group H-Zwegellus.

"Spotting talented performers like we've seen over the weekend and giving them a chance to enter the big leagues is what the Hansa Festival of Legends is all about," commented Durban-based music mogul Zakes Bantwini, who was one of the judges. "I am so proud of our local talent and excited for the rest of South Africa to see that what we have here rivals the best in the world."

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