Nathalie Makoma - International Spotlight 04/08/10

In AI9, the black diva may have died. In AI8, the black diva may have underwhelmed, and in AI7 the black diva, well, ...

But in Dutch Idols 4, the black diva was alive, kicking, and excuse the camp (but no other words for it), oh so fierce.

Image: Nathalie Makoma
Nathalie Makoma

Nathalie Makoma was born in Kinshasa (DR Congo), and is the youngest of 6 children. Raised in both The Netherlands and Germany, Nathalie's deep cultural roots rush through her soul in everything and anything she sings--and it is amazing. She is by far one of the most inspirational voices that I've ever heard grace the Idol stage, and I love every minute of it. Though I already know she won't be for everyone, I can only hope who ever is reading thinks the same. Here are 5 of her performances from the show:

"Proud Mary"
http://www.youtube.com/v/EjnHSrtzLAc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0
While I would not consider it her *best* vocal, you can clearly see what talented and seasoned performer she is, almost immediately.

"Dans van de mantel"
http://www.youtube.com/v/UGQlgG5oahQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0
I don't even know what she's singing here...as it is not in English, obviously...but the performance is deep, captivating, and just plain dramatic. I could sit and watch it for hours.

"Stayin Alive"
http://www.youtube.com/v/Oyim7Qsvzlk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0
This was actually the first performance I heard of her...with absolutely no expectations, it started of..."mmm..eh", but then she really got into it...and I was hooked.

"Big Spender"
http://www.youtube.com/v/TC-bkzwm0js&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0
She don't pop her cock for every man she see.

"Hello World" (Winner's Single)
http://www.youtube.com/v/bf7tNBEQdbs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0
Just...plain...epic (especially after 2:00).

Nathalie wuz robbed placed 2nd. Her performances on the show also gained her a spot in Dancing with the Stars Netherlands, where she also wuz robbed placed 2nd.