The singer knew that the talent search TV programme was his last realistic shot at garnering substantial publicity for himself, as he was very close to the  competition’s age limit of 30.

“I saw it as a marketing tool that would quickly propel me to a place where I am now, releasing my debut solo album Where Angels Fear To Fly,” he says.

“The concept of Idol is brilliant not only for the winner but all those who see it as an opportunity to make something out of music. I learned so much from people like Proverb, who taught me about the business side of music, Loyiso and the music side, and just what it feels like to be a professional musician.

“[Previous Idol entrant] Graeme Watkins  also warned me about not getting used to being a superstar on Idol, which has tripped up a lot of people,” he notes.

It is a little-known fact that this was not the first time that Haze had relative success on Idol, even though the previous time was not on the South African version.

“There is a concept at Disney World called American Idol Express and it offers walk-ins the chance to skip the queue, if they impress the judges,” Haze says.

“That is exactly what I did, even during stages after that, but flying in and out of the US would never have been sustainable, so I had to give up on that. Basically, I made it into the preliminary stages of American Idol.”   

Being runner-up also meant that record companies would be knocking on his door, instead of the other way around.

 But now that people know who  he is – thanks to being business-minded about a talent search contest – what does Haze’s album offer?

“I offer every single bit of me on this album,” he says.

“It is me doing what I have always wanted to do, which includes a bit of blues, country, choral music and I even worked with an orchestra.

 “I have been making music for years with no real commercial outlet, so this is a chance for me to combine the two,” Haze says.

 “The title track is the story of how I have had to fend for myself to be where I am.

And Rabbit Hole is a tribute to two of my big influences, The Beatles and Metallica.”

Haze even looks the way he does because of a few other people he respects immensely.

“I have an image that oozes defiance because I have to be very tough on this route to success, and I’m not entirely there yet,” he reckons.

“I wear a chain in tribute to guitarist Zakk Wylde, my beads are because of Steven Tyler and my suspenders are thanks to The Beatles.”