Opening act for Usher now in the hands of South Africa’s public

Twelve of South Africa’s top rising urban musicians have been chosen to compete for the opportunity to open for multiple Grammy Award winner Usher, when he performs at the Hansa Festival of Legends at the Orlando Stadium in March this year.

The twelve regional finalists were chosen from a group of 30 highly talented artists through. The group of 30 had been selected as semi-finalists.

Over the next month, the 12 finalists will be reduced to six winners – one from each region.  The choice of the six winners is in the hands of the public who can vote for their favourite performers online www.hansapilsener.co.za, or via their mobiles (dial *120*793#).

Voting opens on 2 February and closes on 22 February. The six regional winners will be revealed on 24 February. One artist from each region will go on to open for Usher at the Hansa Pilsener Festival of Legends at Orlando Stadium on 10 March.

Every weekday from 1 to 17 February, a different artist will be profiled on Metro FM’s The Secret Ingredient show, which is hosted by DJ Amon. Fans can tune in between 12pm and 2pm to learn more about each artist and to listen to their music.

The top 12 finalists are:

·         BigSize & Mo Klaasik (Free State)

·         Abdus & Mhlathi (Eastern Cape)

·         Ma’pakshop & Shumi (Gauteng - Pretoria)

·         Mo & The Dark Knights &The Muffinz (Gauteng - Johannesburg)

·         Busi M & Nonku Phiri (Western Cape)

·         H-Zwegellus & Shoelace (Eastern Cape)

Usher