On The Bill lights the path for rising stars in music
The energy at The Blue Room was electric om Tuesday, 5 August as a packed audience witnessed the culmination of months of raw talent, fierce competition and unforgettable performances. April Dew (solo artist category) and Bra Mo & Mmimo (band category) emerged as the winners of On The Bill’s New Talent Tuesdays (NTT) competition, following an incredible showdown featuring some of the Mother City’s most promising new artists.
Hosted in collaboration with Expresso, Mzansi’s most-watched morning show, this year’s NTT competition took things to the next level. Both April Dew and Bra Mo & Mmimo will walk away with industry exposure, a professionally recorded single at OTB Studios and support from OTB’s artist development team, as well as the opportunity to perform live on national television in front of thousands of viewers.
Bra Mo & Mmimo performed live on Expresso this morning (Wednesday, 6 August), delivering a standout performance to viewers across the country. April Dew is set to follow with her live Expresso debut in September.
“This competition is about so much more than just music,” says Jody Abel, Founder and CEO of On The Bill. “It’s about creating access, building careers and connecting communities. Expresso shares our vision of uplifting local talent, and we’re proud to offer this kind of platform to the next generation of South African artists.”
A final to remember
This year’s NTT final was nothing short of spectacular. After a series of incredible auditions and outstanding semi-final performances, 12 finalists were selected from a pool of exceptional talent across Cape Town. These rising stars went head-to-head in front of a live audience and an expert judging panel on Tuesday, 5 August, at The Blue Room.
Meet the finalists
Bands
- Maskandi Gent
- Norra
- Ross Marshall
- Bra Mo & Mmimo
- James Juke
Solo artists
- Zoe Robb
- Keely Crocker
- Miss Lilly K
- April Drew
- Little Rock
- Tristan
Each finalist brought their unique sound and energy to the stage, earning their place through talent and stage presence. Their performances impressed not only the audience but also our panel of guest judges.
Thank you to our esteemed Judges
We’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to our 2025 judging panel for lending their expertise to this year’s competition:
- Colin Daries – Founder & CEO, Arts Capital
- Moonga K – Songwriter and A&R
- Colin Sher – Producer, Cosher Recording Studios
- Luke Goliath – Multi-platinum award-winning producer
- Colin Moss – Actor, presenter and former Idols SA judge
Their insights and industry experience were instrumental in choosing a winner and giving all finalists valuable feedback to support their growth.
A life-changing opportunity
Winning NTT is more than just a title – it’s a career-defining springboard. Last year’s winners, DreamEater, recorded and released their debut single with On The Bill Studios and have since played alongside major local acts at some of Cape Town’s most iconic venues. Their music is now available on all streaming platforms, and they continue to build momentum on the national scene.
April Dew and Bra Mo & Mmimo will receive the following:
- A professionally recorded and released single at OTB Studios
- An opportunity to perform live on Expresso for all of Mzansi to see
- Support from OTB’s network
It’s a prize designed not just to showcase talent, but to build a career.
A final congratulations
“A huge congrats to all the artists who took part this year,” concludes Abel. “Your courage, creativity and passion made this year’s New Talent Tuesdays a true celebration of South African music.”
