#TeamRiana

Out with Bobby and In with Riana, as the new Afrikaans Coach in The Voice SA’s 3rd Season.

There’s some serious competition coming your way from another new coach in the third season of M-Net’s The Voice South Africa.

One of strongest female voices and most successful songwriters in the South African music industry, Christian and pop music star Riana Nel, took a seat in one of The Voice SA’s famous red chairs when the cameras rolled for Season 3’s pre-recorded Blind Auditions late last year.

Riana’s impressive resumé includes a long list of chart-topping songs, hit albums and awards. It all started in 2001 with her first Christian album Oopmond, which was honoured in two categories at the Lier Awards: Best New Artist and Best Female Vocalist. In the same year she won the Geraas Awards for Best Gospel Artist and Best New Artist. But it was her first pop album Die Moeite Werd from 2012 and more recently, 2014’s Die Regte Tyd, that truly turned her into a music awards darling.

M-Net acknowledged in a statement, that they are blessed and excited to have Riana on the panel of coaches for Season 3. Even though Riana is sweet, down-to-earth and friendly, but don’t underestimate her competitive spirit, commitment and conscientiousness. She did an excellent job as Lira’s co-coach in Season 2 and is bound to give Season 3’s rival coaches a run for their money.

Before the Blind Auditions, Riana was planning on turning around for vocalists with an authentic, on-key, sound. She admitted before the Blinds, that she was ready to be blown away and to be the cheerleader for people who really can make singing their career, adding that she is looking for that goose-bump-inducing kind of voice that makes you want to cry, laugh or just get up off your chair and then shout ‘yasss‘!

Why should the talent pick her when more than one coach wants them in their team? Riana mentions that she is a vocal and song writing teacher, having worked with one of the biggest labels in the country. That’s what it will take to be a winning coach on The Voice SA.

Riana is also no stranger to collaborations, for instance, she recorded Eens in ’n Leeftyd for Bobby van Jaarsveld and Doen Net Wat Ons Wil, a recent collaboration with Die Heuwels Fantasties. She has also written songs for Juanita Du Plessis, Lianie May, Touch of Class and world-renowned Amira Willighage, among others.

Her 2015 SAMA Awards include one for best Afrikaans pop album and the big one of the night: best-selling artist of the year.

Catch #TeamRiana on M-Net, Channel 101, when the 3rd season of The Voice South Africa will air on Sundays, starting 3 February 2019.