Kurt Darren

Kurt Johan van Heerden (born 19 February 1970), better known as Kurt Darren, is a South African singer, songwriter and television presenter, who won seven South African Music Awards (SAMA) from 2007 to 2011. He has also appeared in a number of South African films.

His debut was with the album For Your Precious Love released in 1995. From 2006 to 2011, Darren was the presenter of the popular South African show Jukebox broadcast on kykNET. During the programme, callers would have the opportunity to request and dedicate music videos of their choice. SMS (text) messages would also roll in during the program. The program was broadcast live on various radio stations as well on Sunday evenings.

Popularity in Europe Many of Kurt Darren's songs in Afrikaans are known in Europe through cover versions particularly by artists in the Netherlands and Belgium, and to some extent in Germany and Austria. Songs covered in Dutch include "Staan Op", covered by Jan Smit as "Sta Op", "Meisie Meisie" by Henk Wijngaard as "Meissie Meissie", "Kaptein Span die Seile" as "Kap'tein" by Bart Kaëll, "Hemel op Tafelberg" as "Die Zomer Gaat Nooit Voorbij" by Wim Soutaer, "Af en af" by Helemaal Hollands and "Bloubergstrand se sonsak" as "Dromendans" by Vinzzent, while Klostertaler covered "Meisie Meisie" in German and Mickie Krause covered "Kaptein Span die Seile" in German as "Chantal".

Personal life In 2009, Kurt Darren set a new record for "bokdrol vêr spoeg" a traditional South African sport at church carnivals.

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

On 7 July 2013, Darren suffered serious injuries as a result of a car accident on his way home after watching a rugby match. His agent Marnus Bisschoff and his secretary were also seriously injured. All were airlifted urgently to hospital, where tests showed Darren had 11 broken ribs and serious injuries to his head. He was released after weeks of treatment. Many of his scheduled concerts had to be canceled. He returned to active life months later with a rescheduled gig dates and a tour in US and Europe beginning in 2014.

Discography Albums 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

Singles / videography (Selective) 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 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

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