Universal Music signs more talent from The Voice SA

The talent from M-Net’s The Voice SA is taking the local music industry by storm. Since the hit show’s final at the end of May, winner Richard Stirton has already topped the iTunes charts with two number one singles, runner-up Gavin Edwards then followed suit with his song “Sparks” and  Zoë Modiga has been entertaining television viewers in a new M-Net Movies brand promo. And this was just the beginning! Universal Music SA announced today that they are signing six more singers from The Voice SA. 

The vocalists who clinched Universal Music deals are blind singer Vernon Barnard; Durban’s Jono Johansen; family man Jeremy Olivier; Almur Marais, known to many as “Stilfontein”, the classically trained opera singer Johan Anker and the supercool Austin Lurring from Pietermaritzburg. This treasure trove of talent joins Richard and Gavin as well as the two ladies who were told in the show’s finale that Universal Music wanted them in their stable, Thembeka Mnguni and Zoë Modiga. 

“We are delighted by the incredible talent that has emerged from season 1 of The Voice SA - the show and the talent far exceeded our expectations! We believe that the ten artists that we’ve chosen to work with represent a good cross section of the SA music landscape, with each one having their own unique sound and personality. We look forward to working with each one of them,” says Kevin Grenfell, head of A&R at Universal Music.

Television viewers are already enjoying Richard’s music video of the single “What Tears Me The Most” and the release of Gavin’s music video is scheduled for the end of July. Thembeka Mnguni and Jono Johansen are both releasing their debut singles on 22 July, while winner Richard Stirton will be releasing his full debut album in late August.

Earlier this week, Richard Stirton was also named the best winner of The Voice internationally, after a panel was recently tasked to rank winners of the global franchise from 23 different countries.

“It’s fantastic to see that in its very first season The Voice SA has provided a platform to kickstart or elevate the careers of phenomenal musicians, “says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. “We’re very proud of Richard and his achievements to date and are excited that not only our winner, but so many of the other stars of the show will have the opportunity to make their music dreams come true.”

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