Riana Nel (9 November 1982) is a Namibian singer and songwriter. After growing up in Windhoek she moved to Pretoria, South Africa, to start her career.[1]

Riana Nel
Birth nameRiana Nel
Born (1982-11-09) 9 November 1982 (age 41)
Windhoek, Namibia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Years active2001–present
Labels
  • Coleske Artists
  • Maranatha Record Company
Websiteriananel.co.za

Professional career

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Her songs have been described as including elements of "pop & country". She is known for the singer who can make up a song with just a few words on the spot. She had firmly placed her roots in gospel music on release of the albums Oopmond, The Cure, Breathe and Someone with Skin and has won several awards including the Crescendo Award in 2000, a SAMA, Huisgenoot tempo's and Ghoema awards.[2] The album Die Moeite Werd appealed more to the secular market and has reached platinum status and continues to top South African music charts.[3][4] Nel has also starred in the Afrikaans movie, 'n Saak van Geloof alongside her co-star Robbie Wessels, the well acclaimed South African singer-songwriter/comedian.[5]

Nel is a well acclaimed songwriter having written songs for Juanita Du Plessis, Bobby Van Jaarsveld, Lianie May, Touch of Class and world-renowned Amira Willighagen. Nel has shared a stage with her sister Nianell, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Lianie May, Lira and many more. She recorded duets with André Swiegers (Blou), Bobby van Jaarsveld (Die Liefde kom net eens in 'n Leeftyd), Die Heuwels Fantasties (Doen net wat ons wil), Retief Burger (U's my God) and Steve Hofmeyr (Skree).

She has performed in South Africa, Namibia, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Nashville in the U.S., Russia, Mozambique and Australia.[6]

Nel was a coach on The Voice South Africa 2019.

Personal life

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Nel's sister, Nianell, is also a singer and songwriter.

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak positions Ref
SA
Oopmond
  • Release date: 2001
  • Label: Maranatha Record Company
  • Formats: CD, digital download
The Cure
  • Release date: 2003
  • Label: Maranatha Record Company
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Someone with Skin
  • Release date: 2005
  • Label: Maranatha Record Company
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Breathe – The Gospel Collection
  • Release date: 2006
  • Label: Maranatha Record Company
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Die Moeite Werd
  • Release date: 2011
  • Label: Coleske Artists
  • Formats: CD, digital download
14 [7]
Die Regte Tyd
  • Release date: 2014
  • Label: Coleske Artists
  • Formats: CD, digital download
1
Jy Sal Weet
  • Release date: 2017
  • Label: Coleske Artists
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2 [8]
Sterker
  • Release date: 2019
  • Label: Coleske Artists
  • Formats: CD, digital download
1 [9]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ "RIANA NEL – Great Christian Music from South Africa". Revolution of Praise. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  2. ^ Blackrose, William. "Reana Nel". Musicians.co.za. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Die Moeite Werd". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. ^ "DKNT Top 10: 17 Desember 2011". 19 December 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  5. ^ "'n Saak van Geloof". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Welcome to Riana Nel Website". Riananel.co.za. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  7. ^ "SA Top 20". SABC. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  8. ^ "SA Top 20". SABC. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  9. ^ "SA Top 20". SABC. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.