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Kurt Darren
Kurt Darren.JPG
Darren performing in 2014
Background information
Birth name Kurt Johan van Heerden
Born (1970-02-19) 19 February 1970 (age 55)
Origin Pretoria, South Africa
Genres Pop, dance-pop, pop rock
Years active 1995–present

Kurt Darren, whose full name is Kurt Johan van Heerden, was born on February 19, 1970. He is a very popular South African singer, songwriter, and television presenter. Kurt has won many important music awards, including seven South African Music Awards (SAMAs) between 2007 and 2011. He has also appeared in several South African movies.

Kurt released his first album, For Your Precious Love, in 1995. From 2006 to 2011, he was the host of a well-known South African TV show called Jukebox on kykNET. On this show, viewers could call in to ask for their favorite music videos and send text messages. The show was also broadcast live on different radio stations on Sunday evenings.

Kurt Darren's Music in Europe

Many of Kurt Darren's songs are in Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa. Some of his songs have become famous in Europe because other artists have made their own versions, called cover versions. This is especially true in the Netherlands and Belgium, and sometimes in Germany and Austria.

For example, the Dutch singer Jan Smit covered Kurt's song "Staan Op" and called it "Sta Op". Another Dutch artist, Henk Wijngaard, covered "Meisie Meisie" as "Meissie Meissie". The song "Kaptein Span die Seile" was covered by Bart Kaëll in Dutch as "Kap'tein" and by Mickie Krause in German as "Chantal". This shows how Kurt's music has traveled across the world!

Kurt Darren's Life

Jen Su with Danny K and Kurt Darren in the Cook-off SA Challenge 2012
Kurt Darren (right) with Danny K and Jen Su during the Cook-off SA Challenge 2012

Kurt Darren married South African model Dunay Nortjé on January 8, 2011. They have two children, a daughter named Kyrah and a son named Kade.

In July 2013, Kurt was in a serious car accident while driving home after watching a rugby match. He was badly hurt, suffering 11 broken ribs and head injuries. He was taken to the hospital by helicopter and stayed there for several weeks to recover. Many of his planned concerts had to be canceled. After months of healing, Kurt was able to return to performing and even started a tour in the US and Europe in 2014.

Kurt Darren's Albums

Kurt Darren has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of them:

  • 1995: For Your Precious Love
  • 1997: Just When I Needed You Most
  • 1998: Kurt Darren
  • 2000: Since I Found You
  • 2001: Net Jy Alleen
  • 2002: Meisie Meisie
  • 2003: Sê Net Ja
  • 2004: Staan Op
  • 2005: Vat my, maak my joune
  • 2006: Lekker Lekker
  • 2007: Voorwaarts Mars
  • 2008: 30 Goue Sokkietreffers
  • 2008: Uit die diepte van my hart
  • 2009: Smiling Back at Me
  • 2009: Die Beste Medisyne
  • 2010: Met Liefde/With Love
  • 2010: Oos-Wes Tuis Bes (deluxe edition)
  • 2011: Kurt Kaptein se platinum treffers
  • 2012: In jou oë
  • 2014: Seerower
  • 2015: Lied Vir Die Vrou
  • 2016: Sal Jy Met My Dans?
  • 2017: Laat Die Dansvloer Brand
  • 2019: #Partytjiedier

Popular Songs and Videos

Here are some of Kurt Darren's well-known songs and music videos:

in Afrikaans
  • "Meisie Meisie"
  • "Staan Op"
  • "Kom ons Dans in Afrikaans"
  • "Kaptein"
  • "Af en af"
  • "Lekker Lekke" (2007)
  • "Voorwaarts Mars" (2008)
  • "Hemel op Tafelberg" (2009)
  • "Daar Doer in die Donker" (2008)
  • "Loslappie" (2009)
  • "Bloubergstrand se sonsak" (2010)
  • "Lekkerbekkie" (2011)
  • "Heidi" (2012)
  • "Stoomtrein" (feat. Snotkop) (2012)
  • "Kom bietjie hier" (2012)
  • "Cowboys en crooks" (2014)
  • "Dans op die Tafel (2014)
  • "Ek wens vir jou" (2015)
  • "Kaalvoet sokkie" (2016)
  • "Jy's 'n Legend' (2017)
  • "Selfie Song" (with Leah & Snotkop) (2017)
in Dutch
  • "Voor Altijd" (2013)
in English
  • "You"
  • "Standing on the Edge"
  • "Sunday"
As a featured artist
  • "Shame and Scandals" (Dr. Victor & the Rasta Rebels feat. Kurt Darren) (2012)

DVDs

  • 2005: Op Toer
  • 2008: Treffers Live
  • 2008: Die Video's

Movies Kurt Darren Has Been In

Kurt Darren has also acted in several movies:

  • 2010: Liefling
  • 2010: Susanna van Biljon
  • 2010: The Race-ist
  • 2011: Ek lief jou
  • 2015: Stone Cold Jane Austen
  • 2017: Van Der Merwe
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