Songwriter Rudolph (Rudi) Viljoen (48) has earned a place in the top 10 of the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniging (FAK) SKRYF’it songwriting competition.

Viljoen said he discovered the competition through a friend who encouraged him to submit some of the songs he had written.

The FAK SKRYF’it competition provides a platform for Afrikaans songwriters to showcase their work, helping emerging artists gain exposure in the music industry while promoting Afrikaans musical heritage.

“I followed the link which took me to the website where I could enter. There are two categories: regional work, where an artist performs their own song, and AI-generated songs,” said Viljoen.

He entered five songs in the AI category: Dwiellie, Katryn Se Opkom Son, Passie Vuur, Hoor Jy and Lieflyf.

“Recording contracts, musicians and studio time are expensive. I found an AI app, and it became an interesting tool where I can use my songs as a starting point and experiment with them,” said Viljoen.

Viljoen believes the competition offers valuable exposure for aspiring artists.

“The FAK is a major platform where artists can be noticed and where opportunities can open up,” said Viljoen.

Originally from Ladybrand in the Free State, Viljoen grew up in a musical family on both his mother’s and father’s side.

“Music is the core of my family. It is a language we use and a thread that ties us together. But I am searching for my own voice,” he said.

He describes his style as ballad and says he wants to move away from the familiar patterns of traditional boere music and older classic sounds. Viljoen is self-taught on the guitar and has never received formal musical training.

“I have an ear, heart and feel for music,” said Viljoen.

His songwriting is inspired by friends’ life stories, letters and poems written to loved ones, as well as his own personal experiences. Sometimes melodies and lyrics come to him.

“I walk with my heart on my sleeve. I am aware of the people around me and can be considered an empath,” said Viljoen.

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Initially, all five of his entries were rejected, and he believed he had been eliminated from the competition.

“About a month later, I received an email congratulating me that Passie Vuur had been pulled back into the competition and had made the top 20,” said Viljoen.

The song was later voted through to the top 10.

“I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch. I am just going with the flow. This is something I do for fun, and if it turns into something bigger, that would be amazing,” said Viljoen.

The competition winner will receive cash prizes, studio time, national exposure on television and social media, industry exposure and collaboration opportunities. Viljoen is an outspoken supporter of AI-assisted music production.

“For someone like me, who has talent but not necessarily the finances to hire a studio, session musicians and produce everything professionally, the costs are enormous. We have technology at our fingertips, and we should use it.”

His music is available on platforms including Spotify, YouTube Music, Facebook and TikTok. Outside of songwriting, Viljoen works as a roof truss designer and estimator. He is divorced and has a 15-year-old son.

For updates on the competition and upcoming voting rounds, follow the SKRYF’it Facebook page.