It was her cover versions of popular songs that got her noticed on the Idols stage.
“I was doing the covers on my YouTube and Instagram and my supporters gave me the nudge to try for Idols. So I had to do it for all the people who follow me,” said Nosipho Silinda.
The 19-year-old has come a long way since her SA Idols days. The Season 14 finalist said it was nerve-racking being one of thousands of people taking a chance at their dreams.
“I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember... been in the school choir since primary school and then into high school as well.” Once the auditions were taking place two years ago, the young talent managed to keep herself sane through the madness of it all. “It was insane but I managed – I warmed my vocals and was present and on time.”
Once the KZN native made it through the season and reached the Top 6, Silinda had already learnt much about the entertainment industry.
2018 Idols contestant Nosipho “Nocy-Jay” Silinda released her debut single late 2019 and has been receiving massive love throughout the festive season with live performance across South Africa.
“I grew up a lot and developed as a creative. My voice grew, my range. I learnt a lot about the industry. I was opened up to a lot of opportunities.”
She is currently finishing her matric after putting it on hold to enter the competition. Now the rising star is releasing her own music, finally. Her first single for the year is Thembalami, a song about love and hope. The song received much airplay in December.
“It is inspired by my family and supporters because they have been there for me since day one. But I couldn’t just accommodate them alone so I made it a song for everyone that has hope and love for something.”
Silinda goes by the stage name Nocy Jay and says she is working on a fuller body of work for the year. Her music video is set to make its debut at the end of the month.
She is already working on her second single that will be released next month.
“I am looking forward to working with other artists from across the continent. I identify as a pop artist but I don’t want to box myself doing that. When people listen to my music I want them to have a song they really like. I want to be diverse.”