Bittereinder | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Pretoria, South Africa |
Genres | |
Years active | 2009–present |
Labels |
|
Members |
|
Website | www |
Bittereinder is a South African rap/electro band from Pretoria who perform in Afrikaans. Jaco van der Merwe, Peach van Pletzen, and Louis Minnaar founded the three-man band in 2009, [1] and have since performed at major South African festivals such as Oppikoppi, [2] across southern Africa, and the Netherlands. [3] They are known for their high-energy performances. [4]
The name Bittereinder originates from the Second Boer War. Towards the end of the war, so-called Boers, Afrikaans-speaking farmers, engaged in guerrilla warfare against the British despite the fact that they had already lost. They fought "to the bitter end", and were therefore called "bitter-enders", or, in Afrikaans, "bittereinders"; more colloquially, the English translation would be "diehard". [2] Van der Merwe says that the band interprets the word more positively: "Today, it means more not giving up." [1]
They have been characterised as more positive than Die Antwoord. Van der Merwe's lyrics are "a little more hopeful", he has said, because he tries to find things to be proud of in the Afrikaans identity, although it is difficult because there is "much to be ashamed of". [1] Typical for Bittereinder's lyrics is the amount of code-switching between Afrikaans and English. [5]
All three members of Bittereinder are from Afrikaans-speaking families in Pretoria but went to English-speaking schools. Due to the low status of Afrikaans in post-Apartheid South Africa, as a boy, Van der Merwe was made to feel like an outsider growing up, and was "called 'Dutchman' and 'Boer' daily." [1] The shame he felt as a result led to him rejecting the language and culture when he was growing up. [6]
He began writing rap when he was fifteen years old, initially in English, and only later in Afrikaans, "with a dictionary in [...] hand" as he tried to learn the language after he had reconciled with his background. [1] [6]
From 1998, van der Merwe had written and performed in English under the stage name Ajax. [7] He met Peach van Pletzen in April 2008, when he toured with Pletzen's solo effort, Yesterday's Pupil, in Poland. Louis Minnaar, who was known for his award-winning music videos for Van Coke Kartel, Yesterday's Pupil, and Die Heuwels Fantasties, was originally brought into the group for that purpose, but also became a composer and producer during the writing and production of 'n Ware Verhaal. [8]
In 2009, Jaco van der Merwe approached Peach van Pletzen and Louis Minnaar about his desire to start an Afrikaans rap project, which project would become Bittereinder. [8]
Their first album, 'n Ware Verhaal, was in production for almost two years. [7]
In 2013, they released "Kwaad Naas", a lighthearted song about the tension between English and Afrikaans whites in South Africa. [6]
In 2015, Jaco van der Merwe with Jean-Louise Parker started the music label Wêreld Records. [9]
Bittereinder have played and headlined festivals in South Africa, The Netherlands, Mozambique and Namibia, including Oppikoppi, Lowlands, KKNK, Aardklop, Innibos, STRAB, Hart van Windhoek, Synergy (JHB & CT), Ramfest (JHB & CT), TUKS Spring Day, Smoking Dragon Festival, Gariep Festival, TUKS Rag, PUK Jool and The Campus Invasion Tour.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2017) |
Bittereinder have collaborated on stage with David Kramer, Koos Kombuis, Inge Beckmann, Kongos, Tumi Molekane, Hanu de Jong (The Narrow / Not my dog), Richard Brokensha (ISO), HemelBesem, Carlo Mombelli, Reason, Shane Durrant (Desmond & the Tutus) amongst others.[ citation needed ]
In 2009, Bittereinder collaborated with rappers Jack Parow and Tumi Molekane (of Tumi & the Volume) on "A Tale of Three Cities", a patriotic song about Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. [8] [10]
Bittereinder toured the Netherlands for a second time in June 2013, this time with Van Coke Kartel and Jack Parow on a tour called "Afrikaans Verower Harte"; this tour included the "Festival Voor Het Afrikaans" at Melkweg, Amsterdam.[ citation needed ]
In August 2013, van der Merwe was interviewed about the band on CNN's Inside Africa, in an episode about cultural diversity in South Africa. [6]
Bittereinder have also appeared and performed live on e-TV's hip hop show "Shiz Niz", SABC 2's Afrikaans soapie "7de Laan", 5FM's "live @ 5" and Hamman Time, [11] Kyknet's "Kwêla", Kyknet's "Hoor-Hoor!", Kyknet's "Fiesta", numerous times on MK's live show "Studio 1", featured in a collaboration with a cappella group The Soil on SABC 2's music fusion show "Jam Sandwich", recorded a collaboration with The Plastics & Jon Savage for 5FM's Mashlab in 2013, as well as being awarded the honour of being the Opening Act at the 2012 Pendoring Awards in Cape Town, and performing in the Pendoring Awards show again in 2013.[ citation needed ]
Bittereinder also performed at the 2013 Tempo Awards. Jaco hosted the 2013 MK Awards in March (with Bouwer Bosch), and Bittereinder opened the award show as well as being the "house band" during the live broadcast of the award ceremony from the South African State Theatre.[ citation needed ]
In 2016, they remixed Desmond and the Tutus' "Pretoria Girls". [12]
In May 2017, Van Der Merwe announced Bittereinder were working on their fifth album. [3]
Bittereinder's fifth album, titled Volksvreemde Vertalings was released on 9 September 2022 and overall takes a much calmer, more introspective style than their previous albums.
The band consists of: [3]
They have released four albums: [3]
Date | Award | Awarding Body |
---|---|---|
2015 | Best Alternative Album – Skerm [13] | SAMA |
2013 | Best South African Band | Rekord |
2011 | Best Afrikaans Alternative Album – 'n Ware Vertaal [7] | SAMA |
Date | Award | Awarding Body |
---|---|---|
2014 | Best Alternative Album | SAMA |
2015 | Duo or Group of the Year [14] | SAMA |
2014 | Best Music Video [15] | MK Awards |
2014 | Best Live Act [15] | MK Awards |
2014 | Album of the Year [15] | MK Awards |
2013 | Best Alternative Album – Die Dinkdansmasjien [16] | SAMA |
2013 | Best Live Act | MK Awards |
2012 | Best Newcomer | MK Awards |
2012 | Best Group | MK Awards |
2012 | Best Dance | MK Awards |
2011 | Beste Alternatiewe Musiekvideo | Tempo Awards |
2011 | Beste Kopskuifalbum | Tempo Awards |
Joan Helene Hambidge, is an Afrikaans poet, literary theorist and academic. She is a prolific poet in Afrikaans, controversial as a public figure and critic and notorious for her out-of-the-closet style of writing. Her theoretic contributions deal mainly with Roland Barthes, deconstruction, postmodernism, psychoanalysis and metaphysics.
Grey College is a semi-private English & Afrikaans medium school for boys situated in the suburb of Universitas in Bloemfontein in the Free State province of South Africa, it is one of the 23 Milner Schools. The sister school is Eunice High School (Bloemfontein).
kykNET is a South African Afrikaans-language television channel. Owned by pay-TV operator M-Net, it was launched on the DStv satellite service in 15th November 1999. In its development phase, the channel had the placeholder name The Afrikaans Channel. On 16 July 2014 DStv announced that kykNET would be broadcast in high-definition from 12 August 2014.
Karel Schoeman was a South African novelist, historian, translator and man of letters. Author of twenty novels and numerous works of history, he was one of South Africa's most honoured writers. Schoeman wrote primarily in Afrikaans, although several of his non-fiction books were originally written in English. His novels are increasingly being translated into other languages, notably, English, French and Dutch.
Tuks FM is the radio station of the University of Pretoria and one of South Africa's community broadcasters. It was one of the first community broadcasters in South Africa to be given an FM licence. Previously renowned for its alternative rock music offering, the station underwent a musical transformation, where its playlist was changed to reflect the student population. Tuks FM is a volunteer, campus station, meaning that it is completely operated by students, save for upper management.
Foto Na Dans was a five piece Afrikaans progressive rock band from Bellville, South Africa, fronted by singer/songwriter Le-Roi Nel. Other band members are Neil Basson, John Havemann (bass), Alex Fourie, and Dirkie Uys (drums).
Straatligkinders is an Afrikaans rock band from Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Sarel Daniel van der Merwe is a former rally and racing driver, who was a multiple South African Rally Drivers Champion. He is sometimes referred to by his nickname "Supervan".
Zander Tyler, better known under his stage name Jack Parow, is a South African rapper who has collaborated with other South African artists such as Die Heuwels Fantasties, Die Antwoord,and Francois Van Coke.
Willim Welsyn aka William Welfare, is a South African rock singer-songwriter, filmmaker and an award-winning podcaster originally from Ladismith in the Western Cape. He is better known as the lead singer and guitarist for the Afrikaans Rock band, Willim Welsyn en die Sunrise Toffies and as former photographer, features writer and podcast host for the South African Rolling Stone magazine and for his weekly Afrikaans podcast show WAT Met Willim Welsyn Podcast.
ISO, formerly known as Isochronous, is a rock band from Pretoria, South Africa. The group was formed in November 2006 by members Richard Brokensha, Marko Benini, Franco Schoeman and Alex Parker.
Liza Brönner is a South African singer and songwriter. Her music is performed in both Afrikaans and English. Brönner is also a stage actress. Her debut album, Onderstebo was released on 21 September 2009 by EMI. This album has been repacked on 29 March 2010 with four new songs as Asemloos and also released by EMI. Her third album, Vir eers is dit net ek... was released on 1 September 2011 by HIT Records. In May 2013, Liza won the reality program searching for a replacement actor for the stage production (musical) Liefling. She plays the lead role across from Bobby van Jaarsveld playing Jan in the musical.
Hoërskool Monument is a parallel medium strictly Afrikaans as a first language high school situated in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa.
The cultural activities offered by the school include choir, debate, public speaking, Junior United Nations, Miss Monnas, orators, and revue. The school also offers sports facilities for the following sports: athletics, golf, hockey, cricket, boys and girls, cross country, netball, rugby, chess, swimming, tennis and jukskei.
Radio Laeveld is an Afrikaans-language radio station broadcasting on 100.5 FM in the Lowveld area of Mpumalanga, South Africa. It received its first four-year broadcast licence on 1 March 2003 and began broadcasting 31 May 2003. Broadcasting mainly in Afrikaans and in English. The footprint covers roughly a 100km radius from Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. Listeners are from all walks of life and includes farmers, office bound workers, representatives and travelling sales people, tourists, small and medium enterprise owners & managers, teachers, municipal and local community care organizations. The targeted audience are in LSM 6-10, age group 35–55 and program content focused on family Life style.
The National Conservative Party of South Africa is an Afrikaner nationalist political party formed on 16 April 2016 in Pretoria.
Jacobus Hercules "Koos" van der Merwe was a South African politician. He was a member of the South African Parliament, representing the National Party, Conservative Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). He was a member of the House of Assembly and later the South African National Assembly between 1977 and 2014, being the longest serving member of Parliament at the time of his retirement.
Adrienne Pearce is a South African actress, dancer, and voiceover artist. Her films include Proteus, The Bone Snatcher, Van der Merwe, Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell, and Glasshouse. On television, she has featured in the SABC series The Legend of the Hidden City and the Netflix series Troy: Fall of a City.
Anna-Mart van der Merwe, is a South African filmmaker and actress. She is best known for the roles in the films Stuur groete aan Mannetjies Roux, Poppie Nongena, and Kanarie as well as television soapies Soul City, Binnelanders, and 7de Laan.