Up close and personal with Idols top 2 – Sneziey and Luyolo

After overcoming stiff competition and controversy Sneziey and Luyolo face off tonight as they fight to be crowned the best musos in SA

Idols SA Season 15 is coming to an end this evening with Luyolo Yiba and Snenhlanhla “Sneziey” Msomi going head-to-head for the coveted crown.

Among other things, the winner will take home R1 million in cash, a record deal with Gallo Records, a car, musical equipment and clothing vouchers.

Although there can only be one winner, the runner-up will receive more than R180 000 worth of prizes to help ease the pain of losing.

This season has had its fair share of controversy, with allegations of vote-rigging, bullying and disgruntlement among the contestants.

However, fan favourites Sneziey and Luyolo have risen above it all to reach the finish line.

So who are the last two standing?

SNEZIEY (25)

Since the beginning of the competition on July 7, Sneziey, from Umlazi in Durban, has set herself apart with her all-encompassing vocal range.

She dominated weekly, so it isn’t a surprise that she is a finalist.

Throughout the competition she has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with.

Initially, she positioned herself as a gospel singer in a pop competition.

But as the competition progressed she was able to transcend this classification with her song choices.

“One of my highs in the competition will definitely be when I came out of the church woman shell with the majaivana song. That’s when people started to take notice of me and my dancing. Hence I would say it was my best performance,” she said, referring to her rendition of DJ Tira’s song Pakisha.

But, for her debut single, Kungumusa (God’s grace), which was released last week, Sneziey went back to what she does best – singing gospel.

“I don’t want to be a jazz vocalist. My calling is gospel even though I’m in a pop competition. It really hurt me when people said things about me during the Idols competition,” she said.

“But God’s grace has carried me through and that is what I wanted the song to reflect and [for me] to deliver my best performance.”

Sneziey said she had doubts about entering the Idols competition as a gospel singer, so being in the Top 2 came as a surprise to her. But having come this far, she already sees herself as a winner.

LUYOLO (24)

Calling Luyolo, from Buffalo River in King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape, an underdog, would be a disservice.

The Top 2 finalist has shown unwavering determination throughout the competition.

With his soulful voice and understated charm, he has shown tremendous growth – from the shy aspiring musician he was to the bold and confident top contender he has become.

It wasn’t until recently that he emerged from the shadows and received the recognition he deserves.

“I didn’t see myself getting to the Top 2. My aim was the Top 10 but as I progressed I kept wanting to stay. What I told myself is that with God anything is possible,” he said.

Luyolo said certain songs and genres had him doubting himself during the competition and one of his low points was when negative things were said about him on social media.

But the friends he has made in the house, the trip to New York, the Idols competition itself and the support from his family were the things that kept him going.

“I hadn’t had so many people commenting on how I sing and it was challenging,” he said. “But just as I sang in my single [Sunshine through the rain], I will never lose this hunger. My dreams won’t be in vain,” he said.

The final push

Sneziey and Luyolo do not see themselves as pop artists, which is surprising as Idols is a pop competition.

The pair have attracted controversy with Sneziey accused of bullying one of the Qwabe twins.

Luyolo chose not to comment on Idols judge Unathi Nkayi’s controversial remarks about Xhosa people being tired of “carrying the country”.

He said he would like to make music in the Afro-soul space and was inspired by the likes of Samthing Soweto.

“For Sneziey and I being in the Top 2 feels like we’ve already won. It has been a challenging road but a very rewarding one as well. And regardless of the outcome, she and I are cool.”

The two will battle it out in the finale this evening at the SA State Theatre in Pretoria.

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