South African Music

Afrikaans music

Afrikaans music was primarily influenced by Dutch folk styles, along with French and German influences, in the early twentieth century. Zydeco-type string bands led by a concertina were popular, as were elements of American country music, especially Jim Reeves. Bushveld music based on the Zulu were reinterpreted by such singers as Marais and Miranda. Melodramatic and sentimental songs called trane trekkers (tear jerkers) were especially common. In 1979 the South African Music scene changed from the Tranetrekkers to more lively sounds and the introduction of new names in the market with the likes of Anton Goosen, David Kramer, Koos du Plessis, Fanie de Jager, and Laurika Rauch. Afrikaans music is currently one of the most popular and best selling industries on the South African music scene.

SOUTH AFRICA MOVIE SHOWS

The period after 1994 saw a dramatic growth in the popularity of Afrikaans music. Numerous new young Afrikaans singers (soloists and groups) released CDs and DVDs and attracted large audiences at "kunstefeeste" (art festivals) such as the "Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees - KKNK" in Oudtshoorn, "Aardklop" in Potchefstroom and "Innibos" in Nelspruit.

Apart from dozens of new songs being introduced into the Afrikaans music market, it became popular for modern young artists to sing old Afrikaans songs on a stage or in a pub, with crowds of young admirers singing along. The reason for the dramatic increase in the popularity of Afrikaans music can only be speculated about. One theory is that the end of Apartheid in 1994 also meant the end of the privileged position that the Afrikaans culture had in South Africa. After losing the privileged protection and promotion of the language and the culture by the State, the Afrikaans-speaking community seems to have spontaneously started embracing and developing their language and culture. This was due to pop artists like Steve Hofmeyr, Nádine, Kurt Darren, and Nicolis Louw bringing a new fresh sound in Afrikaans Music. Many of the songs sung and/or written by these artist are similar in sound to Euro dance music. Critics would claim that all an Afrikaans pop artist needs for a song to be popular is a catchy tune and an easy beat. This is due to the massive popularity of a form of couples dancing called "langarm" or "sokkie". The dance halls where this takes place could be considered as night clubs but they play almost exclusively Afrikaans pop music. The Afrikaans pop music market therefore generates tremendous demand for new material.

Bok van Blerk (Louis Andreas Pepler) born on March 30^th 1978 grew up in Pretoria, South Africa.

After finishing school at Die Wilgers, Bok van Blerk went to the Netherlands to play rugby for 9 months. He then studies construction and practised it for 7 years before starting his singing career.

In 2005 he was approached by Sean Else and Johan Voster to become their production company’s first client (Mozi Records). In March 2006 he launched his first album “ Jy praat nog steeds my taal”. In October that year, the album got released again but under the title “De la Rey”. Since then this song has become hugely popular in the Afrikaner nation. The album became one of the top sellers in 2007. Up to know the album sold more than 200 000 copies, making it one of the most successful Afrikaans albums of all time. He won three Tempo awards, five Vonk awards and his video “De la Rey” won the MK music video of the year (2007)

In 2007 Bok van Blerk helped produce the “Ons vir Jou” rugby music album, which sold over 90 000 copies.
After the success of “De la Rey”, Bok van Blerk waited a quite a while before releasing his second album called “Afrikanerhart” which already achieved double platinum status. Since the start of his singing career in 2006, Bok has grown tremendously as an artist. That’s one of the reason he waited so long to release his second album, he wanted to wait for the right time to release it.

Bok van Blerk as person loves nature, hunting, deep-sea fishing and music of course.

He has made a huge impact on Afrikaner music in South Africa, not only did he provide us with brilliant music, Bok van Blerk helped bring the Afrikaner nation together again, he reminded us of our history and the “trots” we should have in being a Afrikaner that fought for our country.

Bok van Blerk cds are making waves through out the country with his hot, orginal hits!

Bok van Blerk cds oozes with wonderful culture. From the excellent hits like ’68 Cevy (Minki), Habana! En Hatfield right through to the heart warming “So waai die wind” and the powerful and unique hit for the nation….De La Rey. Currently Bok van Blerk cds include; “De la Rey” and “Afrikanerhart” but he also produced the rugby cd called “Ons vir jou Suid Afrika”

The following Bok van Blerk cds are available to purchase:

Bok van Blerk cds – De la Rey

This is probably Bok van Blerk‘s most popular CD as it sold over 200 000 copies. It contains the popular song “De la Rey“. The Cd consist of the following songs:

1. Praat nog steeds my taal
2. De la Rey
3. Vodka en OJ
4. ’68 Chevy
5. Lenteblomme
6. Stuk van jou
7. Op Walvisbaai
8. Girls in bikinis
9. Die K*k moet end kry
10. Katie
11. Somer reen
12. Plek vir die maan
13. Habana
14. De la Rey (extended version)

The CD was released in October 2006.

Bok van Blerk cds – Afrikanerhart

Bok van Blerk‘s second album “Afrikanerhart” was released in May 2009. The cd consist of the following songs:

1. Tyd om te trek
2. Afrikanerhart
3. Super Schalk
4. Brandewyn het nie brieke nie
5. Jou Pa is hier
6. Klaar met my
7. Die Kaplyn
8. My angel
9. Die kleur van my vel
10. Seilvis skoffel
11. Boeregirl
12. Miss U.S.A
13. Nooit weer gesien nie
14. Sink of swem
15. Pa en seun

Bok van Blerk + Various Artists – Ons vir Jou Suid-Afrika

This Cd is mainly dedicated to South African rugby. It contains some of the best South African artists including Bok van Blerk and Robbie Wessels. the cd consist of the following songs:

1.  Ons vir jou Suid Afrika – Duet met Bok van Blerk en Robbie Wessels
2.   Go Bokke! (“I’m gonna walk 500miles”) – Robbie Wessels
3.   Spickerish – Bok van Blerk
4.   Bokkoors (“Eye of the tiger”) – Robbie Wessels
5.   Hak hom Blokkies – Theuns Jordaan
6.   Dik nek en klein tandjies – Bok van Blerk
7.   Habana – Bok van Blerk
8.   Wie trou dan op ‘n final – Bok van Blerk
9.   Shosholoza – Coleske
10.   Hokkaai – Thys die Bosveldklong
11.   Trek aan jou trui – Hugo
12.   Is jy Bang – Eden
13.   Bel, bel , bel man – Liani May
14.   Boeremusiek RugbMedley – So speel die boere
15.   Verewig Suid Afrika – Drie van die Beste

Steve Hofmeyr (born 29 August 1964) is a South African singer, songwriter and actor.

Hofmeyr married actress Natasha Sutherland, whom he had met on the set of Egoli: Place of Gold in 1998, they had two sons, Sebastian, born 13 December 2001 and Benjamin, born later (Hofmeyr also has a few children by other women.. In total, Hofmeyr has five children. The couple was divorced after reports of numerous affairs dominated Hofmeyr's time in the spotlight in 2008.In December 2008, Hofmeyr allegedly assaulted Miss Esmaré Weideman, editor of Huisgenoot, a popular Afrikaans magazine, by pouring a cup of cold tea over her at the Miss South Africa finals. He was said to have blamed her and two other journalists for his divorce from Sutherland. Miss Weideman subsequently dropped her accusations

In January 2007 there were reports that one branch of the News Cafe restaurant chain would not play Hofmeyr's song Pampoen (Pumpkin). The managing director of the company that owns the franchise denies that this is company policy and points out that many Afrikaans acts, such as Karen Zoid and Arno Carstens have performed at News Cafe.

On 12 May 2011, Hofmeyr released the lyrics to his new song called "Ons sal dit oorleef", which means "We will survive this". The song is controversial, because Hofmeyr has threatened to include the word "kaffir" (the common Arabic word meaning "infidel" used by the British and the Boers in the 19th and early 20th century to refer to blacks in the context of his song, but today a very derogatory name for the black population of South Africa) in the lyrics of the song should a judge rule in favour of Julius Malema. When the presiding judge, Leon Halgryn ruled that "... the publication and chanting of the words 'dubula ibhunu', prima facie satisfies the crime of incitement to murder," Hofmeyr removed the offensive word in his song also,citing that the word would offend his black friends and colleagues. Malema is currently on trial for the singing the song "Shoot The Boer", a song argued to be inciting violence upon ethnic Boers, white South Africans, particularly farmers. Some people see the murder of Eugène Terre'Blanche as an example of violence provoked by this song.

Emo Adams Bobby Angel	Arno Carstens Chris Chameleon Mimi Coertse Jacques de Coning Janita Claassens
Zirk Bergh Helene Bester Bok van Blerk Piet van Blerk Jan Blohm Thys die Bosveldklong Mel Botes Danie Botha Piet Botha Louis Brittz Liza Brönner Clive Bruce Johan Brug Retief Burger	Kurt Darren Izak Davel Al Debbo Tommy Dell Ray Dillan Dowwe Dolla Dozi Fanie de Jager Dennis East Erica Eloff	Billy Forrest David Fourie Freda Francis Albert Frost Ghapi Anton Goosen Die Grafsteensangers Guillaume

Theuns Jordaan is a South African singer and songwriter born on 10 January 1971.

His first career moves had him spend long nights at restaurants in the area around the University of Stellenbosch, a university in the Western Cape Province, where he had been studying industrial psychology. His first performance was on 21 October 1992 at a local bar called Upstairs. Having had immersed himself in the local music scene, Theuns started composing his own lyrics, which resulted in five songs in his debut album, Vreemde Stad.

After he completed his studies, Theuns spent a year as an entrepreneur. In October 1998 he moved from the Cape to Gauteng - specifically Pretoria. After gaining popularity in the city, he recorded his debut album, Vreemde Stad, in Stellenbosch. This album was released in 2000 at an arts festival, the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees. EMI released Vreemde Stad shortly after this and the album surpassed triple platinum status (150 000 copies) in July 2003.

He launched his second album, Tjailatyd at the Aardklop music festival in 2002, which also sold more than 150, 000 records. The South African guitar player, Anton L'Amour, performed with Theuns and was responsible for all the guitar tracks in Vreemde Stad and Tjailatyd.Theuns Jordaan's singing is characterized by his deeply emotive bass voice. His music has been said to be "faintly bluesly, radio-friendly", with his lyrics "infused with a mournful love of South Africa".

Albums

Vreemde stad (1999)

Klein Verbond
Onthou Jy Nog
Skipskop
Makiesakie
Beautiful In Beaufort-Wes
Sonvanger
Visserman
Skielik Is Jy Vry
Vreemde Stad
Lalie
Hakieshart
Sien Jou Weer
Loslappie Mengelmoes
Liedjieboer Mengelmoes

Tjailatyd (2002)

Soos Bloed
Hanne
Gesiggle
Straattroebadoere
As Ek Vra
Tjallatyd
Hoe Draai Die Wind Dan Nou
Moenie
Vermiste Mense
Alleen Sonder Jou
Buitekant
Waar Was Jy
Loslappie Medley: Dis Julle Wat Die Wind, Transkaroo, Coca-Cola-Nooi, Bloometjie Gedenk Aan My, Silver De Lange, Halala Afrika, Huisie By Die See, Pampoene

Seisoen (2005)

Jou asem
Hillbrow
Skadu in die nag
Namibsroos
Ek roep jou naam
Stofpad
Praat is te laat
Wie weet
Donkerpad
Bietjie van my
Huise van glas
Jukebox medley:Kalbassies,Travel in Staail,Hex-Vallei,City/Stad,Meisie sonner sokkies,Die skoene moe
Groet sonder woorde
Juanita du Plessis

Zak van Niekerk

Sonja Herholdt is an Afrikaner singer-songwriter and actress.

Herholdt was born in the small Gauteng mining village of Nigel, Gauteng and at the age of three made her first singing performance at the local community recreation hall, singing the Afrikaans lullaby Slaap, my Kindjie.She attended the Afrikaans-medium Tienie Vorster Primary and John Vorster High School where she became Head Girl in both and followed her theatrical pursuits.

She later obtained a diploma cum laude in Teaching after three years at the Johannesburg (Goudstad) College of Education. She gave up teaching to pursue music after meeting her future husband, FC Hamman. The couple married in 1976 and started a family, their youngest son later developed an extreme hearing impairment in 1993. Herholdt subsequently decided to start a school for hearing and linguistically impaired Afrikaans children, this was housed in the pre-primary section of Bryanston Primary School. This resulted in Herholdt returning to teach for a period of time.

In 1996, Herholdt was involved in a serious car accident. She and her husband subsequently divorced after 21 years of marriage.In collaboration with Carel Cronjé, she released her autobiography in 2007 Sonja: Meisie van Nigel. Later that year she was injured in a robbery on the way home from Cronjé's Johannesburg home ,Herholdt has recorded several albums and singles since the 1970s;

Albums

Sonja (1976)
Sonja Herholdt (1977)
On stage/In die kalklig (1978)
Waterblommetjies (1978)
'n Lied vir Kersfees (1979)
Harlekyn (Gold) (1979)
Grootste Treffers (1980)
Waarom Daarom (1981)
Reflections (1982)
Liefdeslig (1984)
Lofsang - Sonja Herholdt en Jan de Wet (1985)
Dis net vir jou (1987)
Sonja Herholdt sing die Jeugsangbundel (1987)
Sonja Herholdt sing die Jeugsangbundel 2 (1988)
Tuiskoms (1988)
Die Klokkespel 'Vrede (1989)
The Warrior is a Child (1989)
'n Ster Vanaand (1994)
Tuiskoms (1995)
More sal die son weer skyn (1996)
Ritsel in die Rietbos (1998)
Reconstructing Alice (2000)
Sonjare
20 Gunsteling treffers
Dis Kersfees
Sonja Herholdt Skipskop
Die mense wat ek liefhet*Gunsteling treffers (1992)
Sê die engele moet kyk na my (1994)
Die verhale van vrouwees
She
She The Princess
Liefling die movie
Pêrels

Barbara Veenemans Bennie Veenemans Leonore Veenemans Michelle Veenemans André de Villiers Yolandi Visser Amor Vittone Jacques Viviers Casper de Vries	Jody Wayne Robbie Wessels Richard van der Westhuizen Randall Wicomb Arina de Witt Piet van Wyk de Vries

Gérard Korsten (popularly known as Gé) (6 December 1927 – 29 September 1999) was a South African opera tenor and actor who had a great influence on Afrikaans culture.

Born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands as the youngest of eight children, Korsten and his family emigrated to South Africa when he was nine years old. He married Elna Burger and had five children, among them renowned conductor and violinist Gérard Korsten.Initially he worked as an electrician, but from the age of 20, started singing in choirs. However, he received his first formal vocal training in 1952, when he was well into his 20s, studying under Adelheid Armhold at the South African College of Music.In 1955 he moved to Pretoria, where he was one of the founder members of the Pretoria opera company. In 1956, he debuted as Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci.

Korsten won a bursary to study in Vienna in 1962, where he received tuition under Judith Hellwig. During this period he had the opportunity to perform in Vienna and Munich, but he never sang professionally outside South Africa, mainly due to family considerations. It was only in 1970 that Korsten sold his business to devote himself to full-time singing. In the course of his operatic career, Korsten appeared on stage more than 3,000 times, playing 23 roles in most of the major operas.

In 1965, Korsten started his career in light music, with his album Gé Korsten Sing Uit Die Hart (English: Gé Korsten Sings From The Heart), and soon became a best-selling recording artist, with a career spanning 40 years. Nine of his 58 albums achieved gold status. Most of his recorded work is light Afrikaans music, including the song "Liefling" (English: Sweetheart), which is still performed at rugby matches in Bloemfontein and Pretoria. His popularity as a singer also led to lead roles in films such as Hoor My Lied (English: Hear My Song), Lied In My Hart (English: Song In My Heart) and A New Life, all of which included singing scenes. He received six Sarie awards and, in 1979, an ARTES award for his TV program Gé Sing (English: Gé Sings).

In his later life, Korsten was well known for his role as family patriarch Walt Vorster in the long-running South African soap opera Egoli: Place of Gold.In 1985 he was appointed the managing director of the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) in Cape Town, a post which he held until 1989.

Kurt Darren is in Pretoria gebore en het aan die Hoërskool Lyttelton Manor matrikuleer.

Hy het sy besondere sangtalent by sy ma geërf. Op skool het Kurt aan verskeie musiekspele deelgeneem, en meen dat hy al van jongs af in musiek belang gestel het.Wat min mense weet is dat Kurt ten volle tweetalig is, te danke aan sy pa wat Afrikaanssprekend en sy ma wat Engelssprekend is. Sy ongelooflike talent as liedjieskrywer en sanger, in beide tale, het sy gretigheid om in albei tale te vermaak, en mee te voer, verwesenlik.

Na matriek is Kurt weermag toe en doen hy sy basies in Walvisbaai. Sy wens was om aan die weermag se vermaaklikheidsgroep te behoort, en dit gebeur toe ook so. So toer hy vir n jaar saam met die boere-orkeslede van die weermag, en besef dat hy sy lewenslange droom, om 'n sanger te word, wil najaag. Hy word toe afgeraai deur mense wat sê dat hy nie 'n bestaan kan maak deur 'n sanger te word nie.Hy probeer toe maar 'n paar ander beroepe, soos om 'n wildbewaarder te word in die Kruger Nasionale Wildtuin, (die natuur lê hom baie na aan die hart), en tree ook as toergids op. Met meeste van sy familie in die boubedryf, beproef hy dit ook, maar nie vir lank nie. Kurt besluit toe om voltyds te begin sing.

Dertien jaar lank het Kurt, balladesanger, roerloos op 'n stoeltjie met 'n mikrofoon gesit by korporatiewe geleenthede, kroeë en ander klein vergader-plekke. Van die een dorp na die volgende, het Kurt sy eie klankgereedskap vervoer, afgelaai, opgestel, afgestel en weer opgelaai. Hy het ook sy eie klank gedoen. Kurt is trots om te noem dat hy deur sy sangloopbaan al deel was van 'n paar "groepe", hierdie sluit in, onder andere: "Deep Blue" en "Keep Your Day Job". Hy het altyd geweet dat sy deurbraak gaan kom. Toe tree hy drie maande lank op 'n passasierskip op, verloor 'n paar kilogram en sny sy hare (vir die wat nie weet nie, Kurt se hare was skouerlengte vir n hele rukkie). En toe is hy reg en energiek vir "Meisie Meisie" - en die roem - toe dit eensklaps oor sy pad kom in 2002.Deesdae toer Kurt die land vol, en selfs buitelands, op 'n groeiende basis.

Sy eerste album "For Your Precious Love" was in 1995 uitgereik, en daarna het hy die uitsonderlike geluk gehad om al die volgende albums op te neem, wat in chronologiese orde gelys word:

• 1997 - "Kurt Darren".
• 1998 - "Just When I Needed You Most".
• 1999 - "Since I Found You".
• 2001 - "Net Jy Alleen".
• 2002 - "Meisie Meisie". * Met sy album "Meisie Meisie" het hy sy deurbraak in die Afrikaanse musiekbedryf in 2002 bewerkstellig. Kurt se reuse treffer, Meisie Meisie, maak steeds duike in die dansvloer en was een van die Top3 treffers van 2002! Dit is gedurende die opname van hierdie album dat Kurt liedjies begin skryf het saam met twee ongelooflike, inspirerende en talentvolle mense: Don Kelly en Marc Brendon. Hierdie trio komplimenteer mekaar tot vandag nog met die samestelling van lirieke vir nuwe liedjies.
• 2003 - "Sê Net Ja".
• 2004 - "Staan Op".
• 2005 - "Vat My, Maak My Joune".
• 2006 - "Lekker Lekker".
• 2007 - "Voorwaarts Mars".
• 2008 - "Uit Die Diepte Van My Hart".

Hy is al lank bedrywig met musiek en van sy grootste drome is bewaarheid. Naas 'n dosyn solo-albums, pryk sy trefferstem ook op vele saamgestelde CD's.Kurt is al vir sewe agtereenvolgende albums besig om die golf van sukses te ondervind, hy is van plan om nog vir n baie lang tyd in die bedryf te bly en mense te vermaak met sy musikale talent. Hy het 'n ongelooflike passie vir musiek, en wil sy Godgegewe gawe met ieder en elk deel.