As SABC1’s latest talent show, The Sing Off SA, begins, we take a look at just how talented the contestants on this show really are. Hosted by singer Nolly Meje, the panel of judges includes musicians Zakes Bantwini, Zolani Mahola (Freshlyground) and HHP.
We caught up with Mahola and HHP to get their opinions on the show.
Zolani Mahola
You could have been a judge on any other show before this. Why only now?
The opportunity didn’t present itself and I am glad that it has done so now. It means people recognise the body of work that we have done. It’s awesome to be with HHP and Zakes. It’s such good company and I couldn’t ask for much more.
What is your relationship like with the other judges?
We have a positive relationship. I think the feeling is mutual so it is nice to work from that base moving forward.
What is your take on the format of The Sing Off?
The thing with a capella is that it is not glossy. You can’t hide behind instruments. It is about raw talent. A lot of time in my career we have been about making music and not fluff and I will get to experience this as well on this show.
How do we fare as a country when it comes to singing?
I think South Africa is known as a singing nation. HHP always says that we were born singing. We are born into that culture where when one starts singing, the next person joins in to harmonise. The show comes at a time when groups like The Soil have popularised a capella so there so many groups aspiring to be in their shoes.
What kind of a judge will you be?
It’s a brave thing for people to stand up in shows like this and I respect that. It’s an honour to be asked to play that role. There is no point in trying to be mean, so that kids watching the show can be inspired to do the same. They will know that you really don’t need the guitar or a piano to make music. I think encouragement is essential on this show, but I will not be a pushover.
Should an individual be great in a bad group, is there any hope for them on the show?
We have had times when one person is better than the rest in their group, but unfortunately we are looking at the collective effort.
HHP
What are you thoughts on the potential of The Sing Off in a landscape full of talent shows?
The hype for the show has been a little down and I support that because shows of this calibre always get too hyped up and if I were to see one more of those shows, I probably wouldn’t watch it. Yet, what’s crazy about this show is that it is going to be mind-blowing to a lot of people. It may have a format of the US one, but because of the calibre of the singing we have, it’s about to get crazy. Some of the things that the contestants are doing are things I didn’t even know about.
What makes you the right choice to be a judge on such a show?
I have been wracking my brains, thinking why they would ask me to be part of this show. I think this is my year. To be honest, I am an a capella freak. I have been doing a capella for as long as I know. I have been singing in a capella barbershop groups since high school. All my albums have an a capella interlude. I am not formally trained as Zakes Bantwini is in music, but I know my thing.
SABC1 has another hit show, Imizwilili, where choirs sing without instruments. How does that differ from The Sing Off?
A show like this differs from Imizwilili simply because it is not a choral show. A capella groups differ from choirs because choirs are conventional by singing in unison. They do not imitate instruments, it’s just voices flowing the same way. A capella has other voices simulating instruments while the others sing normally. It’s mind-blowing.
• The Sing Off SA airs every Sunday at 6pm on SABC1 and repeat shows are on Tuesdays at 9pm.