By Marley
The past two weeks have brought us some really interesting collaborations in Afrikaans music. Some major names have teamed up with artists from different generations and musical backgrounds to bring us new songs.
We have Francois van Coke together with Zaan Sonnekus, Hunter Kennedy and Janie Bay, and of course Die Heuwels Fantasties and Tashe.
Three new songs. Three very different collaborations. And all three are worth adding to your playlist.
Die Heuwels Fantasties & Tashe – Sonder jou is sonde
Sonder jou is sonde dropped in the middle of August on our streaming platforms, right in the middle of a proper cold front here in the Lowveld.
Tashe was the youngest winner of Season 3 of The Voice South Africa. Since then she has built herself a successful solo career, joined the popular girl group BlackByrd and recently became a first-time mom to a beautiful baby girl.
Die Heuwels Fantasties needs very little introduction. They have been making music since 2007 and have become one of the biggest names in Afrikaans music. The strong songwriting team of Pierre Greeff and Hunter Kennedy, together with the multi-talented Fred den Hartog, have given almost two generations songs to sing along to.
They came together with Tashe on this beautiful new single, Sonder jou is sonde.
The lyrics are deep, especially in the chorus:
“Jy breek die hemel oop
Ek hou my asem op
Want ek’s bang jy skuif dalk jou kop
Jy’s die lig in my wonde
‘n Goue sonneblom
Iets wat ek nie kan
Sonder jou is sonde
Sonder jou is sonde
Iets wat ek nie kan
Sonder jou is sonde”
For me, this is a song for couples who might be going through a rough patch. Relationships are not always easy, and sometimes we forget the beauty of the person standing next to us.
But the song also reminds you what it means to have the right person in your life.
With the right person, it would almost feel like a sin to be without them. Life would, in a sense, just be a little less.
Francois van Coke & Zaan Sonnekus – Lewe
“This song is about living in the moment and to make as much of it as we can while we are alive.”
— Francois van Coke
Francois van Coke is a veteran of Afrikaans rock music in South Africa. Over the years he has inspired many younger artists and proved that there is a place for Afrikaans rock music.
This is what Zaan Sonnekus had to say about their collaboration on Lewe:
“To make music with someone who inspired me to do it in the first place is something I don’t take lightly. Francois has been my favourite artist since I was a young laaitie and will probably be for the rest of my life. I grew up with his music and saw how he kicked the door open for Afrikaans rock.
So, to call him a friend and a mentor is kind of surreal for me.”
That is probably what makes this collaboration even more special.
The lyrics of Lewe feel like a conversation with the listener. It speaks to those who are alive but not necessarily living. We all get caught up in everyday life, thinking there will always be more time.
Then before you know it, it is all over.
The music video that accompanies the song is also just two friends doing things they wanted to do.
Going for a surf lesson. Giving each other tattoos.Visiting residents at an old age home. Francois cutting Zaan’s hair on the beach. A morning jog. Painting braaibroodjies with Spoegwolf’s Danie du Toit. Racing go-karts and much more.
Nothing overly serious.
Just two friends having a good time.
And maybe that is exactly the point of Lewe.
Janie Bay & Hunter Kennedy – Hou Bene Hou
This dynamic songwriting duo of Janie Bay and Hunter Kennedy teamed up once again to bring us a third song, Hou Bene Hou.
Their previous collaborations include Altyd wag vir jou and Ons verander, and this new song once again makes you listen a little deeper and perhaps look a little closer at yourself.
This is not just another song you should skip while driving to work.
It is an extremely deep song and, without necessarily saying too much directly, it makes you stop and think for a while.
It has been stuck in my head since hearing it on release day.
“Voel te veel
Sê te min
Glimlag breed
En breek van binne
Die wolke waai so vinnig verby
Koue koffie, vensterbank
Ek vind my toevlug in die klank
Halfpad tot heel bo
Hou, bene hou, bene hou”
This chorus just hits home for me.
Sometimes we feel too much. Say too little. Smile on the outside while quietly breaking on the inside.
And then you just keep going.
Hou bene hou.
Two of my favourite songwriters have once again brought us something that stays with you long after the song has finished.
Three new songs. Three different stories. Three collaborations that show once again just how much talent there is in Afrikaans music at the moment.
Please support these artists on their social media platforms, but especially at their concerts. There is nothing quite like experiencing these songs live.
And just like that, you have three more songs to add to your playlist for the car.
