Bernice West enters a new season of her career with new single and album
Bernice West, with her bubbly personality and exceptional musical talent, has taken the music industry by storm since being named runner-up in the reality series, Make My Famous, in 2019.
This twenty-one-year-old “darling of Afrikaans music” has already had several successful secular hits and is very excited to share JONA, the first single from her upcoming album, with fans.
Written by the Pretorian herself, the song was inspired by a well-known biblical story. “Sometimes we are afraid to live out our true calling. When we try and avoid this calling by choosing our own path, we get lost and can only find peace once we’ve accepted our calling,” she explains about the meaning behind the track. “Jonah’s story is close to my heart, because it is not always easy to live out your calling, but there is comfort in knowing that you’re on the right track.”
Robin Keilly produced this upbeat song, which combines elements of pop, alternative and eighties music, and will resonate with a wide audience.
The song is also accompanied by a performance video, which was filmed in Magoebaskloof by Fokkid Media’s Daniel Rademeyer and Jannes Erasmus and includes hidden elements that refer to Jonah in The Bible.
“Sometimes it is not necessary to overthink the concept and who knows, you might even see a whale in the water,” says the singer. “The best part of this experience was spending time with amazing people who made me laugh.”
Watch the video here:
Bernice grew up in Swartruggens and started singing and entertaining when she was small.
She made her debut in the Afrikaans music industry in 2019 after ending in second place in Emo Adams’ reality program, Maak My Famous, and has only gone from strength-to-strength.
At the age of nineteen she was invited to sing the South African National Anthem before the test match between the Springboks and Argentina.
Since then, she released a successful album, Net Geleen, as well as several number one hits, including Sonop-Blom (number 1 on Apple Music’s charts for ten months) and Die Hart. Her music videos have also been streamed more than fourteen million times on YouTube.
In addition to being nominated for several Aitsa Music Awards, Bernice is also the youngest Afrikaans artist ever to be nominated for a SAMA.
“I am blessed to have been able to launch my music career during lockdown and to have my second album on the way. It is a privilege to have a music career and being able to learn so much from the people who support it,” she shares.
According to the musician, who enjoys a wide variety of music, Twenty One Pilots has had the biggest influence on her own style and she would love to collaborate with the likes of Spoegwolf, Karen Zoid, Early B, Francois van Coke, Elandré, Tarryn Lamb and Die Heuwels Fantasties someday.
The music industry has taught her to be patient and to go with the flow. The artist is currently busy writing new music, recording her second album and planning shows. She will also be featuring in the musical, Die Gelofte: ‘n Musiekblyspel, which opens in May 2022.
Bernice wants to touch people’s hearts with her music, and with JONA‘s raw approach and meaningful lyrics, she is well on her way of doing so.
The song is available on all platforms. Download it here: https://bernicewest.lnk.to/JonaSingle
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