Paxton (singer)

Paxton Fielies (born 17 September 2000), better known mononymously as Paxton is a South African singer-songwriter and Winner of Season 13 Idols South Africa.^[1] She is officially considered the youngest South African Female Idol to ever win this title.^[2] She has a single and a music video out called Demonstrate.^[3] Since the release of her first single "Demonstrate", Paxton in collaboration with Craig Lucas (Winner of the Voice South Africa 2017) released the duet Smother in February 2018.^[4]

Idols SA Season 13

Paxton discovered her musical talent at the age of 7. In 2013 she started sharing covers of popular songs on social media.^[5] However, she gained substantial exposure when her cover of "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith went viral.

Paxton chose to audition for Idols since she viewed 2017 as a year of taking risks.^[6] She was the first person to receive a Golden Ticket in the Cape Town auditions for Idols Season 13.^[7] Paxton is the youngest person to win SA idols since Jody Williams's victory back in 2007.

She bowled over the judges with her impressive vocal abilities when she auditioned using Tori Kelly’s “Confetti”. During theatre week she wowed the judges and fans with her rendition of "American Boy" by Estelle. Some of Paxtons’ most memorable performances on South African Idol Season 13 include her renditions of "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland,^[8] "Side To Side" by Ariana Grande^[9] and "Listen" by Beyonce.^[10]

Discography

Albums

Paxton released her first studio album "This Is Me" on 1 June 2018.^[11] "Her fierce passion for her music and craft was shown when she insisted to form part of the writing process of her album. She has surrounded herself with top musicians in the industry to formulate a tight music team, to assist in getting her music across to the commercial market".^[12] The album strongly leans towards Pop and R&B and features popular South African artists including Tresor, Craig Lucas and Kyle Deutsch. The lead single from the album "Angifuni" "is young, upbeat, full of attitude and fun. The west African-inspired beat and catchy lyrical content confirms the song’s ability to become the next pop anthem. The crossover hit is already enjoying airplay across the country’s radio stations".^[13] The album consist of 14 songs including her debut single "Demonstrate".

Festivals and Performances

"When it comes to performing, she is superbly versatile, bouncing from a smooth and spine chilling ballad to dancy pop numbers, such as her hit debut single "Demonstrate".^[12] Following Paxton's victory on SA Idols she performed at one of Cape Town's biggest music festivals, the 2018 Huawei Kday.^[14] Paxton also performed at the Debut Galla Concert of The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) at the Artscape Opera theatre in 2018.^[15] Paxton's first international performance after SA Idol took place at the World’s Children’s Prize ceremony held in Sweden on 19 April 2018.^[16] Paxton also performed at the White Nights of St Petersburg 2018 International Music Festival, one of Russia’s biggest cultural events.

Activism

Paxton was “selected as the ambassador for the ‘You Me equal Rights’ aimed at advocating for equal right for both girl and boy children. Paxton together with eight other ambassadors also received the Crystal Globe Award for their participation at the prize ceremony and in advocating for children’s rights. And is being trained to become an active ambassador for children’s rights".^[16]

References