REUTERS

Singer Usher Raymond. Photo: REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Nonhlanhla Kobokwana

THE OPENING acts for American songwriter, actor and musician Usher (Raymond) are now in the hands of the SA public.

This comes after 12 rising urban-music stars were selected to compete for the opportunity to open for the multiple Grammy Award winner when he performs at the Hansa Pilsener Festival of Legends at the Orlando Stadium next month.

At the weekend, the 12 regional finalists were selected from a group of 30 talented artists through a series of sell-out concerts that saw a tough judging panel evaluate the contestants.

Over the next month, the 12 finalists will be reduced to six winners, one from each region.

The public can vote for their favourite performers online by logging on to www.hansa pilsener.co.za or via their cellphones by dialling *120*793#

“I am confident that we have unearthed some of South Africa’s most amazing talent,” said judge and Talent Search Ambassador Thabiso Khati.

Khati added that so far a really special group of performers had auditioned.

“All these performers have talent and are sure to have long careers in the South African music business,” Khati said.

Durban-based music mogul Zakes Bantwini was also impressed by the talent on display.

“Spotting talented performers like we’ve seen over the weekend and giving them a chance to enter the big leagues is what the Hansa Pilsener Festival of Legends is all about,” Bantwini said.

Voting was due to start today and closes on February 22. The six regional winners will be revealed on February 24.

The 12 finalists are BigSize and Mo Klaasik (Free State); Abdus, Mhlathi, H-Zwegellus and Shoelace (Eastern Cape); Ma’pakshop and Shumi (Gauteng, Pretoria); Mo & The Dark Knights and The Muffinz (Gauteng, Joburg/Soweto); and Busi M and Nonku Phiri (Western Cape).