UCT alumnus wins The Voice SA

Recent UCT finance graduate Craig Lucas was announced as the winner of season two of the popular singing contest, The Voice South Africa, last weekend. The winner of season one in 2016, Richard Stirton, was also UCT alumnus.

In the finale last weekend, Lucas sang Chris de Burgh’s Lady in Red, which led to him walking away with a recording deal from Universal Music, R250 000 in cash, a new car, a smartwatch and cellphone, a camera, a TV and R100 000 worth of fashion vouchers.

“My feet haven’t touched the ground since winning, and it hasn’t all quite sunk in yet, but it feels absolutely incredible,” says Lucas.

Prior to auditioning he had no formal musical training and suffered from extreme performance anxiety, and was afraid of getting on a stage.

“I didn’t even expect to survive the first round, but the support you receive from the directors, producers and coaches on the show just made everything so much easier.”

The singers were coached throughout the competition by a professional team to ensure they make the best use of their talent, vocal ability and character to make it further in the music industry. Lucas says he has always been a little different and used to doubt his ability to sing because it didn’t fit the traditional popstar mould. This was why he choose to be on #TeamKahn.

“Kahn is unique in the way he sings, writes, dresses and performs. He doesn’t try to be anyone but himself and that is what makes him successful,” he says. “I chose Kahn in the hope that he would help me embrace my voice, and he did!”

Lucas quit his job two weeks before The Voice SA finale and plans to dive head first into his music career. “I wouldn’t do either justice if I were to pursue both at the same time, and an opportunity like this comes around once in a lifetime, so I have to grab it with both hands.”

He plans to record and release as much music as he can as soon as possible (there's a single in the pipeline already). He is still working on his performance anxiety, but also intends to perform extensively and get better at being comfortable on stage.

“I want to master my guitar and piano playing skills too,” adds Lucas.

Watch Lucas's performance in the finale...