These characteristics were also instrumental in winning over the hearts of music lovers during the blind auditions of the second season of the M-Net reality program, The Voice SA. His debut Afrikaans Album has been released and has an upbeat vibe that will most definitely continue to impress, as it makes its way onto party music playlists and music charts across the country.

His first single BOOM BABY, a team effort by various songwriters, including Johan Vorster, Appel, Roux Cloete and Niel Schoombee, is an energetic pop song, which complements the artist’s style and personality perfectly. “It is an upbeat dance track about a couple who goes on a date night. The wife and I have left the children with her mother and are going dancing. It is important to enjoy each other and to maintain the spark in your marriage. I am an entertainer and can do what I do best with a lively dance song,” explains the singer “I think listeners will enjoy BOOM BABY, because it will brighten up their day and invite them to sing and dance along.”

His follow-up single, DORP TOE was incredibly well received and the video for the track rapidly reached a million views on Youtube. The single has since gone on the achieve platinum status since its release.

Fatman is the most active live performer to have come off The Voice stage since its inaugural launch in 2016.

THE BACKSTORY

The forty-seven-year-old music teacher from Bela-Bela, with his signature boater hat, comes from a musical family. His dad was a freelance musician and his mother a police officer. He grew up in Toitskraal, just outside of Marble Hall, and their living room used to be flooded with all kinds of instruments. His passion for music was ignited at a young age, when he realized that he had the ability to entertain people. He made his stage debut at the age of ten and was only sixteen when he started performing at restaurants to earn an extra income. Although his father initially did not want him to pursue a career in music after school, he couldn’t be deterred and went on to study music at Pretoria Music Academy and Unisa. Fatman performed with singer, Pieter Smith, for seven years during the early 90’s, after which he and his wife left the city for the countryside to raise their children, Sanrico and Pedri. Music, however, remained his main source of passion and income over the years and he was overjoyed when his own children also took an interest to music and instruments. “I have been privileged enough to make a living by doing what I love. I truly believe that when you do what you love, money will follow,” he shares.

After twenty-three-years of doing his own thing, his family decided that it was time for him to enter The Voice SA. They made a video recording of him performing Mika’s Grace Kelly and submitted it as a video entry for the competition. The song, which showcased various aspects of his talent, secured him a spot in the blind audition rounds of the show. The Parlotones frontman, Kahn Morbee, almost immediately turned his chair after hearing him sing, and became his coach for the duration of the show. He was also the one who encouraged him to sing Afrikaans songs. Fatman’s witty personality and stage presence made him an instant favourite with the crowd and it wasn’t long before nearly half of the studio audience came dressed in similar hats in support of the artist. He ended in the Top 5 of the competition and is grateful for the positive impact it has had on his career.

Singers like Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Bles Bridges and Charlie Pride all had an influence on the artist’s own musical style, ranging from Opera to Rock. He also has great admiration for fellow Bulls-supporter, Steve Hofmeyr’s, work and would love to sing with Bobby van Jaarsveld someday… even if it is only to get on his nerves. If he had to choose any other profession, he would have liked to be a pawnshop owner, because he enjoys visiting pawnshops and China Malls. “Everyday events inspire me to write and sing certain songs. My favourite music is Southern Hymns of America and Traditional Country and I try to include a bit of everything in my own work. The only place that I am really able to relax in, is in the hot tub and I do not like conflict at all. The nickname, Fatman, originated when I performed at the Rand Show a few years back and the master of ceremonies - Garth Taylor - challenged the audience to pick me up. When he tried to do so himself, he struggled quite a bit. I do not hide from the world because of my weight. It’s not about your appearance, but about your personality,” the star reveals about himself.

“Johan is one of the funniest artists I have ever had the privilege to work with. I couldn’t stop laughing at his jokes. I think listeners will like him, because he is just a regular funny guy, with a voice that can bring tears to your eyes,” says well-known songwriter, Roux Cloete, who has been working closely with Fatman during the past few months. In addition to his new single and music video, the singer is also working on his debut album and is scheduled to perform in Cape Town with The Voice SA co-contestant, Caroline-Grace Brüssow, in a show called: Beauty and the Beast. He will also be part of the The Voice Roadshow later this year and will be moving back to Pretoria soon. “The best part of my job, is to travel the country and meet new people,” he says.

Fatman believes that you are never too old to try new things and that you should live life to the fullest. South African audiences definitely appreciate the fact that he did not allow age to get in the way of his dreams, because the day those red chairs turned for him, a new star was born in the Music Industry. BOOM BABY not only showcases Fatman’s talent and ability to perform, but also promises to impress audiences of all ages.