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Bittereinder is a three-man Afrikaans rap/electro band from Pretoria, South Africa. The band consists of Jaco van der Merwe (acclaimed lyricist and rapper), Peach van Pletzen (award-winning musician, engineer and producer) and Louis Minnaar (award-winning visual artist, director, VJ and musical producer).

Bittereinder have released two albums; 'n Ware Verhaal (A True Story, 2010) and Die Dinkdansmasjien (The Think-Dance-Machine, 2012)

2009–2010
Bittereinder formed early in 2009, and immediately began production on their debut album, titled ‘n Ware Verhaal (A True Story). The album took almost 2 years to complete, and in October 2010 ‘n Ware Verhaal was released through Rhythm Records, featuring collaborations with Jack Parow, Tim Beumers (Dutch rapper from Rotterdam), Tumi Molekane (Tumi & the Volume), Inge Beckmann (Lark/Beast), Richard Brokensha (ISO/kidofdoom) and Sev Statik (Deepspace 5, from New York).

2011–2012
Following a highly anticipated tour of South Africa starting with seven cities in a month, Bittereinder crowned the excellent reception of their debut album by winning the SAMA (South African Music Award) for “Best Afrikaans Alternative Album of 2011”. The album and the first video were finalists in the 2011 Tempo Awards, and Bittereinder were also nominated for three 2012 MK Awards, in the categories “Best Group”, “Best Newcomer” & “Best Dance”. The band toured the Netherlands for the first time in August 2011, playing at Lowlands Festival and legendary Amsterdam club Paradiso.

2012–present
In 2012 Bittereinder released their second album DIE DINKDANSMASJIEN. The album was nominated for a 2013 SAMA for "Best Alternative Album" (the only Afrikaans album nominated in this category), a 2013 Tempo Award for "Beste Alternatiewe Album" and a 2014 MK Award for "Best Album". The first single from the album, "KWAAD NAAS", which features iconic indie frontman Shane Durrant (from Desmond & the Tutus) reached number 3 on 5FM's Top 100 Chart, and was also voted as one of 5FM's top 100 songs of 2013. The video for KWAAD NAAS was nominated for a 2014 MK Award for "Best Video". In 2013 Bittereinder received the Best Local Band award in the Rekord Awards. Bittereinder have established their reputation as one of South Africa's most striking and powerful live acts, with MK Award nominations for "Best Live" in 2013 and 2014. In April 2014 Bittereinder began work on their third full-length album, due August 2014.

Studio albums

 * 'n Ware Verhaal (2010)
 * Die Dinkdansmasjien (2012)

Singles

 * Ware Verhaal (2010)
 * A Tale of Three Cities (2010)
 * Slechte Mensen (2010)
 * Almanak (2011)
 * Solidariteit (2011)
 * Die Dinkdansmasjien (2013)
 * Kwaad Naas (2013)
 * Kulkuns (2014)
 * Die Slagting (2014)
 * Slegte Mense (2014 remix) (2014)

Shows
Bittereinder have played and headlined festivals in South Africa, The Netherlands, Mozambique and Namibia, including Oppikoppi, Lowlands, KKNK, Aardklop, Innibos, STRAB, Hart van Windhoek, Synergy (JHB & CT), Ramfest (JHB & CT), TUKS Spring Day, Smoking Dragon Festival, Gariep Festival, TUKS Rag, PUK Jool and The Campus Invasion Tour.

Collaborations
Bittereinder has collaborated on stage with Dawid Kramer, Koos Kombuis, Inge Beckmann, Jack Parow, Kongos, Tumi Molekane, Hano de Jongh (the Narrow), Richard Brokensha (ISO), HemelBesem, iconic bassist Carlo Mombelli, Reason, Schalk Joubert, Albert Frost and Shane Durrant (Desmond & the Tutus) amongst others.

2012-Present
In June 2013 Bittereinder toured the Netherlands for the 2nd time, this time with Van Coke Kartel and special guest Jack Parow on a tour called “Afrikaans Verower Harte”, including the “Festival Voor Het Afrikaans” at Melkweg, Amsterdam. In August 2013 Bittereinder featured prominently on a CNN show called “Inside Africa”, in an episode about cultural diversity in South Africa, specifically in the capital city, Pretoria. The episode featured clips from many of Bittereinder’s live shows, music videos, and an in-depth interview with Jaco about growing up as an Afrikaner in the 1990s.

Bittereinder have also appeared and performed live on e-TV’s hip hop show “Shiz Niz”, SABC 2’s Afrikaans soapie “7de Laan”, 5FM’s “live @ 5”, Kyknet’s “Kwêla”, Kyknet’s “Hoor-Hoor!”, Kyknet’s “Fiesta”, numerous times on MK’s live show “Studio 1”, featured in a collaboration with a cappella group The Soil on SABC 2’s music fusion show “Jam Sandwich”, recorded a collaboration with The Plastics & Jon Savage for 5FM’s Mashlab in 2013, as well as being awarded the honour of being the Opening Act at the 2012 Pendoring Awards in Cape Town, and performing in the Pendoring Awards show again in 2013.

Bittereinder also performed at the 2013 Tempo Awards. Jaco hosted the 2013 MK Awards in March (with Bouwer Bosch), and Bittereinder opened the award show as well as being the “house band” during the live broadcast of the award ceremony from the South African State Theatre.

Band members

 * Jaco van der Merwe - lyricist, lead vocals (2009–present)
 * Peach van Pletzen - producer, vocalist, mixer (2009–present)
 * Louis Minnaar - beatmaker, visual artist, VJ, vocalist (2009–present)

Critical Reception
“In 2012, Bittereinder released a record that was one of the year's best, yielding something thrilling with each listen and making good on the promise of the group's debut, 'n Ware Verhaal (2010).” - Diane Coetzer, Rolling Stone.

“Bittereinder is the next big thing. Jaco/Bittereinder could be to hip-hop what Hunter/Fokofpolisiekar was to rock in South Africa…a refreshingly real and honest Afrikaans voice, true poetry.” Liam Lynch, Obrigado.

“Bittereinder is the real deal. This is one Afrikaans hip-hop crew you need to hear.” Lloyd Gedye, Mail & Guardian.

“Their 2009 debut album ‘n Ware Verhaal (“a true story”) is full of interesting, delightfully bizarre turns, from hard 8bit spit sessions to light upbright bass solos to singing harmonies. The only consistency? Every word is in Afrikaans.” Halley Bondy – MTV Iggy, Mar 2012

"It's a collection of songs and lyrics that make you want to think and dance at the same time. Where Mr Parow and Die Antwoord are caricatures of themselves, Bittereinder simply are themselves... In a music industry where 90 percent of the Afrikaans music produced has the words “my bokkie,” “sokkie” or “brandewyn” and has the shit auto-tuned out of it, Bittereinder offer a refreshing and intelligent angle on the Afrikaans rap genre. Of course, this doesn't mean it can only be enjoyed by white Afrikaans boytjies... So if you want to both dink and dans, give this one a spin." - George van der Riet, Playboy SA Magazine.

"Two years after the release of their debut album, Bittereinder has now undoubtedly produced the album of the year. Die Dinkdansmasjien delivers thought provoking material, otherworldly production and some remarkable collaborations making this album a piece of art you won't be able to fully grasp even after its tenth time on repeat." - Louise Pieterse, Zeplin Magazine.