GHAPI – BIO
Introduction
- Rapport Vonk Afrikaanse Musiek Toekenning winner 2010:
Best Crossover Album: Rock it ! Vol 1 - Huisgenoot Tempo Toekenning winner 2006:
Best Rock Band - Presenter of the TV program: Restaurante Toe (ASTV)
- Presenter of the TV program: Kos vir die Siel (Kruiskyk)
- Presenter of the TV program: Food for Thought (TBN)
A drummer that sings? Strange, but true! Ghapi is the huge man, with the huge voice and huge hairdo that plays up a storm on his huge drum kit!
In January 2005 Ghapi was introduced to the public. Ghapi and his three piece band quickly won the reputation as the new Afrikaans rock sensation. Ghapi’s unique ability to communicate with the audience and the way in which he involves the audience in his performances, places him in a league of his own.
Ghapi has already had four number one hits: In die Diepkant In, Ek wil jou hê, Dis net jy and Wie ek is . . .. Ghapi’s I like it reached the number five position on the Kovsie FM charts. The song Wens reached number six on the OFM charts and Dis net jy number eight on the Bay FM charts.
With thirty one years of experience, Ghapi is no newcomer to the music industry. Most people got to know Ghapi between 1989 and 2004 as the singer and drummer for the group Georgia.
Ghapi’ s first CD, In die Diepkant In, was launched during KKNK 2005. A variety of the songs on this CD are played on radio stations countrywide and even a German radio station deemed it fitting to add some of the songs to their play list. Six of Ghapi’s music videos are currently broadcast on MK89 and kykNET. His first DVD, also titled In Die Diepkant In was released in March 2007,the CD, Wie Ek Is… was released 28 June 2008, and the latest CD, Rock it ! was released 1 July 2009. Ghapi also features on the Naranjo album, Saints & Sinners (released 2010), as well as, Steyn & Ghapi, Unlimited (released 2011).Ghapi III, his first Gospel album was released July 2013.
The name Ghapi is derived from Philip’s nickname, Guppy. As a baby he was a real busy body and his father named him after the lively little fish. “My name must be as authentic as my hair, and what could be better than my own nickname. I adapted the spelling in such a way that it forms a unique word.”
Since Sunday, 26 August 2006, Ghapi’s name regularly appeared in the media. Ghapi wrote and composed the song Idol which was performed by the winner of the Idols competition, Dewald Louw.
During April and May 2010, Ghapi toured through South Africa with “The Queen of Rockstar Supernova, Dilana”. Dilana was so impressed with Ghapi’s energetic performance, that she invited him with his entire band to perform with her in Afghanistan during August 2010.
Ghapi is not only a singer, writer, composer and drummer of note, but also manages his own record company, Rock Till You Drop Records. All the above mentioned products were released by his company.
History
Ghapi’s career kicked off in 1983 as a member of the family group, Love Corporation. In 1989 the brothers decided to break away and the group, Georgia, was formed. Georgia rapidly won the reputation of one of South Africa’s most versatile bands. They were not only famous for their outstanding public performances, but were also held in high regard as individual session musicians.
Since 1989, as a member of Georgia, Ghapi has performed at a variety of night clubs and holiday resorts:
| Chillers | Randburg |
| Natchez | Pretoria |
| The Workshop | Bloemfontein |
| Roxy’s | Melville |
| Varsity Blues | Bloemfontein |
| Sun International | Carousel & Sun City |
| Bourbon Street | Potchefstroom |
| Cocomo’s Theatre | Klerksdorp |
| Star Studio’s | Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria |
| Boston Tea Party | Pretoria |
| Firkin | Pretoria |
Universities:
| UP (Tuks) | Rag, Spring Day and Hostel functions |
| RAU | Rag, Spring Day and Hostel functions |
| PUK | Rag, Spring Day and Hostel functions |
Corporate functions:
| Express Photo |
| Namibia Breweries Limited |
| GEM Events Marketing |
| RCI |
| SAB |
| Mercedes Benz |
| Sun International |
| Christian Dior (Goodman Brothers) |
| SABS |
| Guinness Book of World Records (Great 400) |
| Idols |
Biker Rallies:
| The Warthog Rally |
| The Knight’s Rally |
| Steel Wings Harley Davidson Club |
| Black Steer Rally 2002 / 2003 / 2004 |
| Black Stallion Rally 2002 / 2003 / 2004 |
| Annual South African Toy Run 2000 / 2001 / 2002 |
Charity:
| Conrad’s Dream Benefit Fund (Johannesburg, Uvongo, Estcourt, Centurion |
| FARMSA Pretoria |
| Stars for Charity |
| Transoranje School for the Deaf |
During the 1996 National Summer Surf Tour Georgia, the Lemmings, Amersham and Mean Mr. Mustard tour all over South Africa.
In October 1997, Georgia signs a three month contract with Sun International to perform in Trader’s Horn, Sun City. The contract is extended to April 1999.
During this time the David’s Confession, About Time project was recorded in collaboration with co-musician and friend, Mel Botes. The project is launched as a theatre production. A three month national tour in support of the album followed. (David’s Confession hereafter referred to as D/C)
The two brothers return to the club scene during July 1999 as Georgia. They performed between five and six times a week at different venues like:
| Caesar’s Casino |
| Firkin |
| The Workshop |
| Boston Tea Party |
| The Carousel |
| Hurricane’s |
Their popularity resulted in regular performances at music festivals, corporate functions and private functions.
Georgia took the Afrikaans market by surprise with their first Afrikaans CD, “Langpad” followed by “Half” two years later. They had resounding success with their performances at the following festivals:
| Aardklop 2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 |
| KKNK 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 |
| Sonskyn Festival 2002 |
| Gariep Festival 2002 / 2003 |
| Opening of Skouspel 2002 / 2003 |
| Vredendal Rittel Festival 2003 |
| Upington Show 2003 |
| Grahamstown Festival 2004 |
| Kookpunt Festival 2004 |
| Biltong Festival 2003 |
| Zoutpansberg Show 2003 |
| Bank Windhoek Festival 2003 |
Available products:
| 1990 | LP | Georgia | Self titled | Trio Records |
| 1996 | EP | Georgia | Sell Out | Gallo |
| 1999 | CD | David’s Confession | About Time | Pri – Media |
| 2001 | CD | Georgia | Langpad | Rock Till You Drop Records |
| 2003 | CD | Georgia | Half | Rock Till You Drop Records |
Session work:
| William Blackrose |
| Laurika Rauch |
| Top Sport |
| Gladiator CD |
| Shell, Road to Fame |
| Kellogg’s Theme |
| Karla du Plessis |
| Steyn and Elvira Fourie |
Performances worth mentioning and performances as guest artists:
| 1997 | The Carousel New Year’s Party | Georgia |
| 1997 / 8 | Carols by Candlelight, Sun City | Georgia |
| 1998 | Hootie and the Blowfish | D/C |
| 1998 | Anna Vici | D/C |
| 1998 | Kora Awards (All African music awards) | D/C |
| 1998 | Rumba in the Jungle, Sun City | D/C |
| 1998 | Sun City New Year’s Party, Superbowl | D/C |
| 1999 | Sun City Millennium Bash, Valley of the Waves | Individual performances by Andries, Ghapi, Georgia and D/C |
| 2002 | Guinness Book of World Records (Great 400) | Georgia |
| 2003 | Afskop festival at KKNK | Georgia |
| 2004 | Springbok Bar (UK) | Georgia |
David’s Confession performances attended by:
| Michael Jackson |
| Sarah Brightman |
| Michael Flatley (Lord of the Dance) |
Georgia performs as backing band for the following artists:
| Patricia Lewis | Gene Rockwell | Tommy Oliver |
| Lance James | Ken Mullen | Sally Vaughn |
| Tommy Dell | Clive Bruce | Jody Wayne |
| Bobby Angle | Al Debbo | Barbara Ray |
Geraas Musiek Toekennings 2003
| Winners of | Best live band/performance |
| Finalists for | Best duo/group |
SAFFAFFAIR Festival 2004
Georgia was invited to perform at the SAFFAFFAIR Festival, Earls Court, London, on 29 and 30 May 2004. Unfortunately, the festival was cancelled at the last minute, but Georgia did perform at the Springbok Bar, Covent Garden, London, UK.
Golden Web Award
Georgia receives a Golden Web Award for the best website in their category.
KANNA Awards – KKNK 2004
Georgia is nominated as the best contemporary group for their performance in the Ons Eet Steeds Kreef production that was presented and sponsored by Rooi Rose.
GHAPI: January 2005 – to date
TOP 20 Hits
| Number 1 | In die diepkant in | Valley FM |
| Number 1 | Ek wil jou hê | Radio Laeveld |
| Number 1 | Dis net jy | Radio Laeveld |
| Number 1 | Wie ek is . . . | Radio Laeveld |
| Number 5 | I like it | Kovsie FM |
| Number 6 | Wens | OFM |
| Number 8 | Dis net jy | Bay FM |
Session work
| Gerrie Pretorius | DVD (Amore) | Drums |
| Nicholis Louw | DVD/CD | Drums |
| Gerrie Pretorius | CD/DVD (Swing) | Vocals/Duet |
| Deon van der Merwe | DVD | Percussion |
| Juanita du Plessis | DVD | Drums/Vocals |
| Dewald Louw (Idol winner) | Reality programme/CD | Drums/Backing vocalist |
| Idols | Reality programme | Duet with Valeska |
| Valeska (Idols Top 7) | Music video for MK89 | Voice/Duet |
| Anna Davel | CD | Voice/Duet |
| Gerrie Pretorius | DVD (Bles) | Drums |
| Compilation Hande van Hoop | CD / DVD | Drums |
| Steve Booysen My Musical Boardroom | CD | Vocals |
| Loof Hom Innibos 2010 / 2011 | DVD | Vocals and drums |
Ghapi was also seen at:
| PUK Rag 2005 / 2008 | Potchefstroom |
| Kuruman Show 2005 | Kuruman |
| Geelstert Festival 2005 / 2007 | Struisbaai |
| Whoosh Festival 2005 | Worcester |
| KKNK 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009 | Oudtshoorn |
| Round Table 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 | South Africa |
| Super 12 Rugby 2005 | Securicor Loftus |
| Secunda Show 2005 | Secunda |
| Innibos Arts Festival 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 | Nelspruit |
| Volksblad Arts Festival 2005 / 2007 | Bloemfontein |
| Calvinia Hantam Vleis Festival 2005 | Calvinia |
| Gariep Arts Festival 2005 | Kimberley |
| Two Sharps 2005 | kykNET |
| Aardklop 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 | Potchefstroom |
| Dis hoe dit is met Steve 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 | kykNET |
| Matzikama Rittel Festival 2005 / 2007 | Vredendal |
| Stokkiesdraai Festival 2005 | Wellington |
| Dis hoe dit is met Steve with Blackie Swart and Manie Bodenstein 2005 | kykNET |
| Gons 2005 / 2006 | MK89 |
| Opskop op Loskop 2006 / 2007 | Aventura Loskop |
| Garnaal Festival 2005 / 2006 | Komatipoort |
| Want Ons Kan Concert 2006 / 2007 | Bellville |
| Malmesbury MOL Festival 2006 / 2007 | Malmesbury |
| Idols Top 7 2006 | kykNET |
| Idols Top 5 2006 | kykNET |
| Idols Finalè 2006 | kykNET |
| Kalahari Kuier Festival 2006 / 2007 | Upington |
| Noot vir Noot 2007 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 | SABC 2 |
| Liriekeraai 2007 | kykNET |
| Glitterati 2007 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010 | kykNET |
| Vonk Afrikaanse Musiek Toekennings 2008 / 2009 /2010 | JHB |
| Pasella | SABC 2 |
| Vryfees 2012 | Bloemfontein |
| Africa Bike Week 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 | Margate |
Awards and Nominations