• Tweet

From thousands of hopefuls, 12 of South Africa's top rising urban music stars have been selected to compete to open for the multiple Grammy Award winner when he performs at the Hansa Festival of Legends at Orlando Stadium on March 10.

The 12 regional finalists were selected from a group of 30 talented artists through a series of sell-out concerts.

The 30 semi-finalists endured an arduous judging process conducted by Hansa's talent search ambassadors team, which scoured the length and breadth of the country since November.

"Spotting talented performers like we've seen and giving them a chance to enter the big leagues is what the Hansa Festival of Legends is all about.

"I'm so proud of our local talent and excited for the rest of South Africa to see that what we have here rivals the best in the world," says Durban music mogul Zakes Bantwini, one of the judges.

Over the next month, the 12 finalists will be reduced to six winners - one from each region.

"The choice of the six is in the hands of the public, who can vote for their favourite performers.

"I'm confident that we've unearthed some of South Africa's most amazing talent," said judge and talent search ambassador, Thabiso Khati, who has worked with artists such as Lucky Dube and L-Tido.

"We have a really special group of performers here, all of whom have long careers in the South African music business ahead of them.

"And what better way to start than to open for Usher?"

Every weekday from 1 to 17 February, a different artist will be profiled on Metro FM's The Secret Ingredient show, hosted by DJ Amon.

Fans can tune in from 12pm to 2pm to learn more about each artist and to listen to their music.

To vote for your regional finalist, go to www.hansapilsener.co.za or pick up your cellphone and call *120*793#.