Suzan & Freek

Last updated
Suzan & Freek
Suzan freek -1557664495.jpeg
Suzan & Freek performing in 2019
Background information
Origin Groenlo, Gelderland, Netherlands
Genres Pop
Years active2014–present
Labels Sony Music
Members
  • Suzan Stortelder
  • Freek Rikkerink
Website www.suzanenfreek.nl

Suzan & Freek are a Dutch musical duo from Achterhoek, Netherlands. The now husband-and-wife couple of Suzan Stortelder and Freek Rikkerink released music together beginning in 2014. [1]

Contents

The duo first went viral when The Chainsmokers shared their cover of "Don't Let Me Down" in 2016. Their first original song, "Als het avond is", was released in 2018 and reached number one on the Dutch Top 40 in 2019, eventually being certified Platinum. Their debut album Gedeeld door ons entered the charts at number two in both the Netherlands and Belgium, and their next two albums both reached number one in the Netherlands. The duo has been credited with aiding the newfound popularity of Dutch-language pop music in the Netherlands and Flanders in the 2020s. [2] [3] [4]

On 27 May 2025, the duo announced that Rikkerink was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer; they suspended all activities. [5] On 13 June 2025, the duo announced that they would go on to continue performing after all. [6]

History

Suzan Stortelder and Freek Rikkerink met in 2007 in the music room of the Scholengemeenschap Marianum in Groenlo and began talking on MSN. Though Suzan was a year older and in a higher class, they played in a school band together and soon began a relationship. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Afterwards, they continued their studies as Suzan pursued architecture at TU Delft, while Freek studied commercial economics in Tilburg. They first performed in public together in 2009 at De Twee Bruggen campsite in Winterswijk. When the campsite owner asked them what name they wanted to be introduced as, they said simply their names "Suzan & Freek", and it stuck. [11]

In October 2014, Suzan & Freek began posting covers of popular songs on a weekly basis under the title "De Minuut". The first was Mr. Probz' "Nothing Really Matters", which was praised by Mr. Probz himself. [12] In 2016, their cover of "Don't Let Me Down" went viral after The Chainsmokers shared it, helping the cover receive millions of views and streams. [13] Their first EP, Glass House Sessions, was released in September 2017, featuring five covers. [7]

Their first original song, "Als het avond is", was released on 2 November 2018. It entered the Dutch Top 40 at No. 30 in December, and was certified Gold in March. [14] [15] After 17 weeks, it reached number one, breaking a 48-year-old record previously held by Les Poppys' "Non, non, rien n'a changé" (14 weeks) for the longest climb to number one in chart history. [16] After the song reached number one, they both left their jobs – Suzan as an architect, Freek at a record label – to focus on music full-time. [17] Their second single "Blauwe dag" was released on 28 June 2019 and reached No. 4 on the charts. [18] Their debut album Gedeeld door ons was released on 27 September 2019 and reached number two in the Netherlands. It was certified Gold after five days. [19] It would be certified Platinum and remain on the charts for 147 weeks. [20]

The duo released the single "Weg van jou" in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the song was written well before. [21] In August, they released "De overkant", a collaboration with Dutch rapper Snelle, which was a tribute to the Achterhoek region. [22] Suzan & Freek participated in season 13 of Beste Zangers , which aired beginning in September 2020. [23] Their second album Dromen in kleur was released on 29 October 2021. It reached number one on the Dutch Albums Chart in April 2022 after the duo performed two sold-out concerts at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. [24]

A documentary about the couple, Suzan & Freek: Tussen Jou en Mij, premiered on Netflix in January 2023. [25] Their third album, Iemand van vroeger, was released on 22 September 2023. [26] It debuted at number one in the Netherlands. [20] The duo not only sold out four November 2023 concerts at the Ziggo Dome, but also one at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium. [27] [28]

In May 2024, the duo released the single "Verleden tijd" which became their fifteenth top 40 hit, alongside the announcement of six concerts in the Ziggo Dome for May and June 2025. [29] [30] In January 2025, they released the single "Ken je dat gevoel", followed by "Batterij" in May 2025. [31] [32]

On 27 May 2025, the duo announced that they would cease all activities because of Freek Rikkerink's terminal lung cancer diagnosis. Their three remaining Ziggo Dome shows that week were all cancelled. Initially, the duo withdrew from their upcoming roles as judges on the upcoming season of The Voice of Holland, set to air in January 2026, but rejoined the panel following a more positive diagnosis in Freek's cancer. [33] [34] On 13 June, the duo announced that they would return to the stage after consulting with doctors, beginning on 27 June at the Concert at Sea. [35]

Personal lives

Suzan Stortelder was born on 15 June 1992 in Zieuwent and Freek Rikkerink was born on 29 March 1993 in Harreveld. [36]

The couple were engaged in Berlin in July 2022. Their wedding took place in December 2023, in the German town of Goch. [37] [38]

On 27 May 2025, the duo announced that Rikkerink was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and that they are expecting their first child. The two immediately ceased all their performances. [5] On 4 June, the couple wrote that Rikkerink had begun life-extending medication with the possibility of surviving for multiple years. [39]

Members

Discography

Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positions
NLD
[40]
BEL
(Fl)

[41]
Gedeeld door ons201921
Dromen in kleur202112
Iemand van vroeger202311

EPs

List of EPs, with selected chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positions
BEL
(Fl)

[41]
Glass House Sessions2017
Beste zangers – Seizoen 2020202081
Liefde voor muziek 20222022118

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NLD
Dutch
Top 40

[42]
NLD
Single
Top 100

[40]
BEL
(Fl)

[41]
"Als het avond is"2018134Gedeeld door ons
"Blauwe dag"20194125
"Mag ik daar even stil bij staan"55
"Deze is voor mij"2020194727
"Weg van jou"122021Dromen in kleur
"De overkant"
(with Snelle)
2611
"Papa"2710Beste zangers - Seizoen 2020
"Goud"20212417Dromen in kleur
"Onderweg naar later"10836
"Dromen in kleur"152327
"Honderd keer"202231248Iemand van vroeger
"Dit is voor jou"44Liefde voor muziek 2022
"Kwijt"51230Iemand van vroeger
"Slapeloosheid"2023797
"Nooit meer regen"182920
"Vas-y (Ga maar)"
(with Claude)
5844
"De helft van mij"15
"Verleden tijd"2024354534Non-album singles
"Ken je dat gevoel"2025121610
"Batterij"3516
"Lichtje branden"26Dromen in kleur

References

  1. Welingelichte Kringen: Suzan & Freek op 1 in de hitlijsten: Wie zijn deze bescheiden Achterhoekers? (in Dutch)
  2. De Belder, Stijn (2022-06-10). "De terugkeer van Nederlandstalige muziek: "Engelstalig liedje zal nooit dezelfde impact hebben"". Het Laatste Nieuws .
  3. "Populariteit Nederlandstalige muziek groeit volgens artiesten". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2022-04-16. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  4. "Top 40-record: Opmars Nederlandstalige muziek bereikt hoogtepunt". Top40.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  5. 1 2 "Freek Rikkerink van Suzan & Freek heeft uitgezaaide longkanker: 'Geen kans op genezing'". Metro Nieuws (in Dutch). 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  6. Broeders, Fleur (2025-06-13). "Suzan & Freek gaan deze zomer weer optreden: 'Proberen nóg meer te genieten van het leven'". AD. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  7. 1 2 "Onvoorwaardelijke liefde bezorgt Suzan & Freek doorbraakhit". NPO Radio 2 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  8. "Suzan & Freek: 'Mooi dat we het allemaal samen mogen meemaken'". Vriendin.nl (in Dutch). 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  9. Brons, Merel (2021-10-27). "Suzan & Freek: van highschool sweethearts tot succesduo". Libelle.
  10. "Suzan & Freek vieren liefdesjubileum: 'Wil je nooit meer kwijt'". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  11. Aalbers, Rick (2020-02-12). "Zo werden 'campingzangers' Suzan en Freek winnaars van een Edison".
  12. Knooihuizen, Klaas (2019-10-25). "Suzan & Freek zijn schaamteloos gelukkig met elkaar, en dat legt ze bepaald geen windeieren". Trouw .
  13. "Intieme sfeer bij Suzan & Freek in Mezz Kleine Zaal". 3voor12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  14. "Top 40: Suzan en Freek hoogst nieuw met Als Het Avond Is". Top40.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  15. "'Als het avond is' levert Suzan en Freek gouden plaat op". www.gld.nl (in Dutch). 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  16. "Suzan & Freek domineren de Top 40". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  17. Depypere, Patrick (2021-10-29). "Suzan & Freek over 'Dromen in kleur': "Onze liedjes zijn puur, een verhaal zonder aankleding"". KW.be (in Flemish). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  18. "Suzan & Freek brengen tweede single uit". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2019-06-28. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  19. "Suzan en Freek hebben binnen vijf dagen al gouden plaat voor debuutalbum". www.gld.nl (in Dutch). 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  20. 1 2 Spiertz, Cas (2023-10-03). "Opnieuw nummer 1-album voor Suzan & Freek". Entertainment Business (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  21. Vos, Michiel (2020-05-01). "Suzan en Freek: 'We zitten echt niet hele dagen naast elkaar aan tafel'". NU.nl .
  22. "Suzan & Freek brengen samen met Snelle ontroerende ode aan thuis". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  23. "Suzan & Freek, Diggy Dex en Miss Montreal bij De Beste Zangers 2020!". www2.100p.nl. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  24. Febre, Arnold le (2022-04-29). "Ziggo Dome zorgt voor eerste plaats Suzan & Freek". EB LIVE (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  25. "Netflix deelt releasedatum documentaire Suzan & Freek". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  26. "Suzan & Freek brengen volgende maand nieuw album uit". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2023-08-24. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  27. "Vierde show toegevoegd aan concertreeks Suzan & Freek in Ziggo Dome". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  28. Steenkiste, Matthieu Van (2023-11-05). "Suzan en Freek brengen 'Iemand van vroeger' naar Het Sportpaleis: "Ook in een grote zaal kun je een klein liedje spelen"". De Zondag (in Flemish). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  29. "Slow It Down van Benson Boone hoogste nieuwe in de Top 40". Top40.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  30. "Suzan & Freek spelen volgend jaar ook in het Sportpaleis in Antwerpen | Nieuws op Podiuminfo". www.podiuminfo.nl. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  31. "Suzan en Freek bouwen een feestje met Ken Je Dat Gevoel". NPO Radio 2 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  32. "Helemaal opgeladen: Suzan & Freek brengen nieuwe single Batterij uit". NPO Radio 2 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  33. "Freek van zangduo Suzan & Freek is ongeneeslijk ziek". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  34. Mediacourant.nl (2025-05-27). "Suzan & Freek waren al bezig met voorbereidingen voor The Voice". Mediacourant.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  35. "Suzan & Freek gaan weer optreden, doen meerdere festivals aan". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-06-13. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  36. "Suzan & Freek". NPO Sterren NL (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  37. "Suzan & Freek brengen tweede single uit". RTL Nieuws & Entertainment (in Dutch). 2019-06-28. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  38. Arendsen, René (2023-12-04). "Op deze droomlocatie zijn Suzan & Freek getrouwd". www.gld.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  39. "Suzan & Freek: levensverlengende medicatie begonnen, 'hopen op een wonder'". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-06-04. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  40. 1 2 "Susan & Freek discography". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  41. 1 2 3 "Susan & Freek discography". ultratop.be. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  42. "Suzan & Freek | Top 40-artiesten" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 7 June 2025.