TREVOR NOAH TO HOST THE MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS JOHANNESBURG 2016

South African comedy legend and host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” Trevor Noah is heading home to host the sixth edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 (MAMA), Africa’s most prestigious music awards ceremony.

The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 is brought to you by Joburg Tourismin partnership with Absolut Vodka and Google and in association with MTN and DStv.

Commented Trevor Noah, "I'm a huge fan of African music and achievement, and it's going to be a massive pleasure celebrating them both at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 in my own home town of Johannesburg."

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN Africa), “Trevor Noah is an outstanding entertainer, and testament to the amazing talent that Africa has to offer the world. To have him host the MAMA, our annual celebration of Africa music, creativity and achievement, is a powerful and inspiring message. We are delighted that our first ever show in Johannesburg will be presented by one of the city’s most loved and admired personalities.”

Noah will preside over the live 2-hour telecast at the Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg on 22 October 2016. Featuring performances from stand-out African stars like Alikiba, Babes Woduma, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Ycee and Yemi Alade, MAMA 2016 will also stream online on www.mtvbase.com. Further performers are to be announced shortly.

Previous hosts of the MAMA have included Wyclef Jean, Eve, Marlon Wayans, Anthony Anderson and Trevor Nelson.

Highlighting the “gold standard” in contemporary music, creativity and achievement, The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 promises to be the biggest and best ever, with more than 15,000 fans expected to fill out theTicketpro Dome for the joyous celebration. Tickets for the awards are on sale now priced ZAR 250 (standing only) via www.ticketpros.co.za, and at Ticketpro retail outlets or dealers. Over 18s only.

The definitive annual celebration of African and international talent and achievement, MAMA 2016 recognises and rewards musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year. The ceremony will feature stunning performances from African and international artists along with the show’s signature cross-genre and cross-border collaborations.

The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 will broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) on Saturday 22 October at 21:00 CAT. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms from October onwards, while MTV channels around the world will broadcast a one-hour MAMA-themed MTV World Stage.

For more information go to www.dstv.com

IDOLS XII PRESENTS THE TOP 10 CONTESTANTS

In a spectacular show that had all the makings of a high octane concert, Idols SA unveiled this season’s Top 10!

The stage was set ablaze by A-list chart-topping musicians that included Emtee, Fifi Cooper, Black Motion, Idols Season9 winner Musa, Robbie Malinga, Arthur Mafokate and Chomee. The contestants also put on a stunning showcase, with the girls singing Beyoncé’s power anthem Freedom, while the guys serenaded the audience and viewers with a medley of Prince’s songs featuring Purple Rain.

But all good things come to an end, and it was up to host Proverb to announce which five contestants had sung their swan song on the Idols stage. The remaining 10, two of which were saved by the judges, will battle it out for Mzansi’s votes as they fight to stay in the competition.

The Idols SA Season XII’s Top 10 contestants are….

Lucia Jakeni (26) from Vereeniging in Gauteng. When she entered Idols SA for the second time, she had one focus only – to pick the songs that will make her husky rough diamond voice shine brighter than any other on the show. So far, so good.

Noma Khumalo (22) from Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The Grade 4-7 assistant teacher by day and vocalist in a band by night is fast becoming the soul sister of the season with her heart-tugging song choices.

Valentine Mathe (20) from Mamelodi, outside Pretoria. Her infectious smile and love for life translate every time she takes to the stage to belt out a song. Born on Valentine’s Day, she epitomises love and happiness.

Nosihe Zulu (28) from Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Her performances have been dominated by contemporary strong female songs that have served her well. She certainly made an indelible impression when she brought her young brother to the auditions.

Keegan Martin (23) from Roodepoort in Gauteng. Fourth time’s the charm for this young singer. The first three times he didn’t get far; finally trying his luck this season to rave reviews from the judges seeing him make the Top 10.

Thamsanqa Mathonsi (20) from Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. Music is his first love, so much so that he studies it. Now that he is on Idols, he is learning that knowing the theory does necessarily make this tough competition easier. His talent and flexibility have served him well enough to get to the Top 10 so far.

Tebogo Louw (24) is from Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Arguably the most watched and talked about returnee by the judges, he knows that he does not have an easy road ahead. So far, his single-minded focus has seen him impress all round.

Terra Kocks (28) Eden Park, Alberton. When he steps on to the Idols stage, not only does he open himself to every single emotion the song demands, but his incredibly layered voice sees him leave his soul on that very stage.

Sanele Mkhize (21) is from Ntumaza in KwaZulu-Natal. During his audition, Somizi called him “refreshing” and Randal said Robbie Malinga, whose song he sang, would love him.

Bevin Samuels (19) from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. He was the first to receive four yesses in Cape Town where he auditioned, bowling the judges over with his performance of Billionaire by Bruno Mars.

For more, visit our website: www.idolssa.dstv.com/home.

Join the Idols SA conversation via social media on:

Our website: www.idolssa.tv or be part of the conversation via the following social media platforms:

Facebook: Idols South Africa (www.facebook.com/IdolsSA)

Twitter: @IdolsSA #IdolsSA

Instagram: @IdolsSA

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…AND THEN THERE WERE TEN ON IDOLS SA!

Sunday night, Idols SA started off on a sombre note when host and executive producer Proverb announced the passing of South African kwaito legend Mandoza. The man who united Mzansi with his cross-over chart topping hit, Nkalankatha, succumbed to cancer earlier in the day.

But in true Mzansi form, the mood picked up to a celebratory tone when new-age hip hop kids Fifi Cooper and Emtee took to the stage to perform their hit, Koze Kuse.

They were quickly followed by the Idols Top 16 Girls performing Beyonce’s militant Freedom. Dressed in all black, full of attitude and a choreography resonating with the tone of the song, they had the crowd eating out of their clenched fists.

As is the nature of Mzansi’s granddaddy of reality singing shows, the good times were quickly followed by the terse time.

Luke and Lucia were the first to come up to hear their fate. The husky-voiced Lucia breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that she was safe, thanks to the public votes. Luke, on the other hand, was in the fate of the judges.

To break the tension, Season 9 winner Musa came on to serenade the crowd alongside Afro-pop kingpin Robbie Malinga with their ballad Mthande.

Amanda, Valentine and Noma were next on the chopping block. Of the three, Amanda didn’t get enough votes and was her fate was also left to the judges.

The last of the ladies, Sgherdeed and Nosihe, joined Proverb on stage to hear their fate. Nosihe proved to be one of the country’s favourites and made it through to the Top 10.

A medley of Price’s hits including Purple Rain and When Doves Cry was the Top 16 Guys’ entry melody, no doubt having judge Randall Abrahams – a huge fan of the late virtuoso - all up in his feelings. Looking dapper in black and white, they charmed their way into the audience even more.

Keegan and Terra were the absolute hit of last week’s show, receiving Performance of the Night accolades from the judges. The country agreed, and both went through to the Top 10.

The Ambitiouz Crew kept the tempo up with their energetic fusion of kwaito, hip hop and gqom, keeping the Pretoria State Theatre lit with “nu skool” fusion!

Thamsanqa, Bevin and Lusanda were the next in the spotlight. Nerves and anxiety permeated the air as Proverb delivered the verdict: none of the three had garnered enough votes to make it to the Top 10, leaving them in the mercy of the judges.

The viewers and audience had hardly had time to absorb the shock when Thami, Tebogo and Sanele were called up. Fortunately they didn’t have to wait long, and it was elation all round when returnees Sanele and Tebogo went through to the Top 10.

Black Motion feat. Dr Moruti with Heartless Intentions gave everyone a breather from the terse announcements.

Still, the nervous energy was palpable backstage as the three girls and four guys waited to see if they would be one of the two saved by the judges. Knowing that this is the one and only week the judges can use their wildcard votes ratcheted up the tension even more.

As in the nature off all competition, there has to be winners and losers. For Idols SA season 12, it was goodbye to Luke, Amanda, Sgherdeed, Lusanda and Thamsaqa; leaving Sanele and Bevin to round off the Top 10.

In an ironic but fitting twist in light of a fallen kwaito giant, the closing performance featured Mandoza’s compatriots in kwaito greatness in the form of the 999 Music stablemates Arthur, Chomee and Ishmael.

For more, visit our website: www.idolssa.dstv.com/home.

Join the Idols SA conversation via social media on:

Our website: www.idolssa.tv or be part of the conversation via the following social media platforms:

Facebook: Idols South Africa (www.facebook.com/IdolsSA)

Twitter: @IdolsSA #IdolsSA

Instagram: @IdolsSA

WeChat ID: IdolsSA

For more information please visit www.dstv.com