The Voice SA: We Rank #TeamBobby and #TeamKahn
We are days away from the first Live Show and it is only fitting that we rank the 32 remaining contestants based on what we have seen and heard from them thus far.
This Sunday 4 members from each team will take to the stage with the remaining contestants following suit next week.
TEAM BOBBY
R: Nolene Olivier
The Afrikaans singer is yet to show me that she could give a knockout performance, and I don’t think an Afrikaans song will prove that she can hang with a big voiced and talented group of artists.
J: Zoë Mtila
I didn’t expect any chairs to turn during her Blind audition and I was even more surprised when she won her Battle. I do not think Zoe has the pipes to survive in the competition much longer.
R: Zoë Mtila
Her one-chair turn was a very surprising decision by Bobby, and her Battles victory was even more surprising. Like Nolene, she is also yet to impress with a standout vocal. I don’t see her surviving a big cut unless Bobby pulls a rabbit out of a hat.
J: Xanilee Hammond
I was impressed by Xanilee’s edgy vibe during her Blind Audition but did not enjoy her Battle. I think she might just be out of her depth in the competition.
R: Kim Collins
Kim is a solid vocalist, but, ultimately, she’s not right for this competition. She could be a corporate favourite or even a good cruise ship performer, but I don’t see Kim as a potential recording artist, and that’s what the show should be seeking.
J: Kim Collins
I don’t believe this is the right competition for Kim. Her voice is pretty special but I think she belongs on stage as opposed to in the recording studio.
R: Vernon Barnard
Look, this is likely not the spot he’ll receive once votes start to roll in, but this is where I think he needs to be, vocally, after what we’ve seen. His audition was memorable, but his Battle vocal performance was pitchy and just off. Vernon’s story will likely do most of the work.
J: Nolene Olivier
Nolene is such a lovely girl and has a good set of pipes on her. I do believe though that if she wants to survive in the competition she is going to have to stay away from the Afrikaans songs.
R: Austin Lurring
Dude was a good steal. Bobby doesn’t have a male vocalist like Austin on his team, and he fits right in. He’s a very solid pop/R&B singer with a wide crossover appeal, and looking the part won’t hurt either. He could be fun to watch.
J: Lana Crowster
Lana has a lot going for her – experience, tenacity and talent. She is magnificent on stage where her personality is able to shine through – I just hope she will be as captivating in the recording studio.
R: Xanilee Hammond
I might have Xanilee ranked too high. I probably have, but she’s proven to be a very consistent performer, and with great mentoring and the right song, she could give a fantastic performance. She should veer towards more edgier rock music.
J: Austin Lurring.
Austin so deserved that steal! He’s a good looking guy with a killer voice – 2 things that could see him go very far in the competition!
R: Lana Crowster
Lana is likely the most versatile member of Team Bobby. She has already gained very solid experience, and she seems like a singer who is willing to take risks. The jazzy songstress just might need to tone down her personality, but her voice is killer. Something upbeat and jazzy can do the trick.
J: Vernon Barnard
Vernon moved me to tears during his Blind (no pun intended) Audition, but sadly his Battle did not quite have the same effect. He already has a huge international following and I’m sure he will rake in the votes for many rounds to come.
R: Gavin Edwards
There’s no other person on Team Bobby to rank as the MVP. He has a classic rock voice and a touching comeback story like no other, and he seems to be a fan favourite. He’s Bobby’s representative in the finale. I hope they decide to take some risks, though.
J: Gavin Edwards
Gavin is by far one of my personal favourites in the competition. His back story is one many can relate to and he just looks (and sounds) like a star. I hope he hangs around till the very end!
TEAM KAHN
R: Johan Anker
He doesn’t belong in the competition. Operatic singers on singing competition shows are a big no-no. His win over Jade during their battle remains the most shocking decision of the whole season thus far.
J: Johan Anker
As much as I can appreciate Johan’s beautiful operatic voice I don’t believe he belongs in the competition either. I am still mourning Jade’s shocking exit.
R: Prime Zulu
He’s an overwrought performer with a very inconsistent voice – two elements that do not work well together at all. His life experience seems to make him an overemotional performer, and his voice struggles to maintain pitch. He’s not The Voice material.
J: Clemour
What I said about Johan applies to Clemour as well. Beautiful voice but not for this competition – I can see him doing very well performing with a live orchestra.
R: Clemour
Clemour has a good tone, but I don’t think he’s quite commercial enough to forge a lasting recording career. I might be wrong, though.
J: Francis Bowers
Francis has one hell of a good voice but I don’t know if the voters will buy into his style of music. He could prove to be the dark horse in the competition.
R: Francis Bowers
Good voice, but not quite something I enjoy, so his lower ranking might just be personal taste. He’s unique voice might just shoot him up the list with a knockout performance.
J: Prime Zulu
Maybe I am over-optimistic because I liked Prime when he was on Idols and have been following his journey ever since. There is a good voice underneath all the emotion and I think if he can control it he has a chance to make it far in the competition.
R: Lara Gear
Lara had a great audition, but Tonsillitis struck during her Battles preparation, thus preventing her from doing her best. But her beautiful tone has great depth, and with the right song, she could really impress. Or she can totally flop.
J: Eden Myrrh
I had great difficulty ranking Eden. I loved her Blind Audition but I am not sure how she will measure up against some of the other contestants. She needs to deliver showstopper performances every week to stay in the front of the pack.
R: El Clay
This was a fantastic steal from Kahn. El Clay has a wonderfully soulful voice and with the right songs he could go very far in this competition. I hope he does. His audition was one of the standouts of the season.
J: Lara Gear
Lara has great untapped potential. I didn’t see any of the star potential that she displayed during her blind Audition during her Battle but I will give her some grace because she was sick. Song choices are going to be pivotal if she wants to cement herself as a serious contender.
R: Eden Myrrh
The girl has a great look and an effortless voice. She’s good. I just hope people can hear that. She’ll need a standout song and a big vocal, but that’s well within her abilities.
J: El Clay
Another great steal and probably one of the strongest vocalists remaining in the competition. I can easily see El making it all the way to the Top 5.
R: Richard Stirton
Richard had my favourite audition hands down. His indie vibe and that great falsetto during his audition already set him apart from most guys in the competition. He is Kahn’s best chance at a place in the finale. The two of them could make it all the way.
J: Richard Stirton
Once I got past the fact that Richard strongly reminds me of Mikey Heverly from America’s Next Top Model I could truly begin to appreciate his immense talent. I would not be surprised if Richard makes it all the way to the end!
This was a tough one!
What do you think of our Power Rankings? Who are you looking forward to seeing the most during the Live Shows? Join the discussion and let us know!
