1. MEET TRACE STAR WINNER OSHRI ELMORISH
Author: Lebohang Morake
Word count: 419
Meet Oshri Elmorish, the talented Trace star winner who beat 349000 hopefuls in the Trace
mobile singing competition .The Israel born singer serenaded the crowd with his polished
performances and charismatic persona on stage during the finale; which included a
collaboration with Soul/ RnB singer Kabomo.
Oshri would love to add local sensations Elvis Blue and Die Antwoord to that list one day;
we rate he’s solo star on the rise and here’s why:
Oshri has an interesting fuse of styles that has the potential to blow up globally, he describes
his sound as ‘pop music with eastern influence’. He also explains how he views his multi-
cultural background as an advantage for his music. “I think when you get exposed to more
and more different styles you can understand who you are and what you bring into the
world,” he says.
Oshri is not just an exquisite voice (and face) he writes and composes his own material. He
also plays the guitar and piano adding to his musical aptitudes. He uses his personal life and
relationships with loved ones as inspiration as a writing formula, “A lot of my songs are
about situations with those people and ups and downs in our relationships” he says.
Music has always played a huge role in his life having been in a successful boy band called
Game Boys when he was younger. He adds that he has matured as an individual artist and
being on stage on his own is second nature. Not only does Oshri get to walk away with his
looks and now added fame, he gets R100 000 in prize money, a scholarship to a film festival
school in New York and gets the chance to be mentored by international super star and
producer Wyclef Jean.
“I am super excited to meet Wyclef Jean and to learn as much as I can from him. People with
experience have more knowledge and I think by sharing it, they helping young artists.” Oshri
thinks mentorship in the industry will improve the quality of music in the industry. In 5 years
time Oshri hopes for two albums, a prestigious music award, an acting career and to have
started with his own foundation. ‘We can only plan but you can never know what will
happen.’ At the young age of 25, optimism and realism are clearly equally balanced out in his
books but most importantly, talent and hard work will speak for him.