BIO
Kurt Darren is in Pretoria gebore en het aan die Hoërskool Lyttelton Manor gematrikuleer. Hy het sy besondere sangtalent by sy ma geeerf. 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 talent as liedjieskrywer en sanger in beide tale, het sy gretigheid om in albei tale te vermaak, verwesenlik.
Na matriek is Kurt weermag toe en doen hy sy basies in Walvisbaai. Hy was ook deel van die weermag se vermaaklikheidsgroep . So toer hy vir n jaar saam met die 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 te sing 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 was daardie tyd in die boubedryf, en hy beproef di took , 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 kuierplekke. 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, onderandere: "Deep Blue" en "Keep Your Day Job".
Hy het altyd geweet dat sy deurbraak sal 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 ruk). En toe is hy reg en energiek vir "Meisie Meisie" toe dit eensklaps oor sy pad kom in 2002.
Deesdae toer Kurt die land vol, en selfs in die buiteland, op 'n gereelde basis.
Ultimately, Kurt Darren’s popularity and craftsmanship resulted in 19 years as recording and performing artist, songwriting, radio and TV presenting and motion pictures.
Award-winning, multi-platinum SA artist, Kurt Darren’s total CD sales exceeds millions of copies.
With 22 Awards including
7 SAMA Awards from 2007 to 2011), most popular SA Pop Star and TV presenter, Kurt Darren is undisputedly the Prince of Afrikaans Dance Music! His fully-fletched, hit-packed English album, Smiling back at me, also established him as SA’s Hit Parade and radio playlist favourite. After a stint in Hyde Park, London and a huge fan-base, Kurt is always geared to discover new territories, locally and abroad.
He has paid his dues, and since the release of his debut album For Your Precious Love (1995), followed by a series of pop work in English, Kurt hit it big time with his Afrikaans debut Net Jy Alleen (Only You) in 2002.
His 21 studio albums and three DVD’s showcase versatile talent (doing all the background singing and harmonies himself!), smooth vocal ability, unique style and virile personality.
Whatever Kurt Darren does, the keyword is quality. He is an accomplished, versatile performer and songwriter, dedicated to his craft and his audiences. This gentleman carries his success with modesty and pride!
Kurt Darren is used to innovation and recognition. He has paid his dues. He is living proof that there is life after a mega hit. His party smash hit Meisie Meisie was followed by numerous other hits, perhaps the most well-known Loslappie and Kaptein (up-tempo) and Hemel op Tafelberg (ballad). His English hits Standing on the edge and My Facebook song have become favourites on English radio (Kurt wrote many of his hits in collaboration with Don Kelly and Marc Brendon). Kurt is currently one of the most popular and busiest artists on local hit parades, stages and festivals around the country. Kurt has proudly reached the top of mainstream popular music in South Africa, especially in the Afrikaans market. With his guy-next-door image and designer looks he’s also gaining appreciative support amongst English speaking fans, especially with the release of his album Smiling back at me, which reached the second spot on the official Hit Parade. The repertoire of his CD’s are a carefully and balanced selection of soothing ballads and up-tempo songs in both Afrikaans and English. He offers his loyal fans a variety of popular catchy tunes and contemporary dance beats. Kurt Darren continues to impress his audiences.
Career Highlights
Kurt Darren was the only Afrikaans speaking artist who performed at Madiba’s 90th 46664 Birthday Benefit Celebration Concert in Hyde Park, London in 2008.
His major Afrikaans hit Meisie Meisie was translated into German as Hallo Susse (Hello Girl). Twelve of his hits have been released in countries such as Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. After a stint of 40 plus weeks with his 2008 Afrikaans album Uit die diepte van my hart (From the bottom of my heart) in the Top 10 of the only official Hit Parade based on actual CD sales, the SA Top 20, on the national radio station RSG (radio without borders), his first English original English offering in over a decade, Smiling back at me, reached No 2 on the same Hit Parade. Rarely SA artist boost this achievement: two CD’s on the same Hit Parade; one Afrikaans, the other English.
HOMEPAGE AT HOME
http://kurtdarren.co.za/
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