Berry, born Berenike Trytsman, is a South African singer-songwriter and powerhouse vocalist who captured the country’s attention when she was crowned the winner of Idols South Africa Season 17 in 2021.
Born and raised in Cape Town, Berry grew up surrounded by music. Both of her parents were professional opera singers, and she began performing from a young age. Her upbringing provided a strong vocal foundation and exposed her to everything from classical music and musical theatre to contemporary pop, rock and soul.
IDOLS SOUTH AFRICA
Berry’s journey to winning Idols SA is also a story of persistence.
She first entered the competition during Season 6 in 2010, reaching the Top 30 before being eliminated. Rather than abandoning her ambition, she continued developing as a singer, songwriter and vocal coach.
More than a decade later, she returned for Season 17, ultimately winning the competition after receiving enormous public support. More than 12.5 million votes were cast during the finale, with Berry taking the title ahead of runner-up Karabo Mathe.
Her victory secured a recording contract with Kalawa Jazmee Records and transformed her from a respected Cape Town vocalist into a nationally recognised recording artist.
MUSIC CAREER
Following Idols, Berry released her debut single “Ungowami”, demonstrating her versatility by recording in isiZulu. She followed this with her EP Unspoken Words, further establishing herself as a songwriter and contemporary pop vocalist.
In 2023, Berry moved into the next phase of her career as an independent artist, working closely with her husband, musician, producer and drummer Renier Trytsman.
Her independent releases have included “Never Say Die,” “Bumper Sticker,” “Shoulda Seen It Coming” and “10 000 Redes.”
“10 000 Redes” marked another milestone as Berry’s first Afrikaans single, allowing her to explore another part of her South African identity while broadening her musical audience.
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Berry is particularly at home on stage. Her powerful voice allows her to move comfortably between contemporary pop, rock, soul, ballads and upbeat commercial material, while her natural warmth and engaging personality create an immediate connection with audiences.
Since winning Idols, she has appeared at festivals, concerts and events including KDay, An Ode to Women, It’s a Love Thing, Music Exchange, Unity on the Square, Wonder Woman and Moonstruck.
She can perform with her live band or in formats tailored to the requirements of an event, making her well suited to corporate functions, gala dinners, festivals, concerts, private celebrations and special events.
A STORY OF PERSISTENCE
Beyond her vocal ability, Berry’s career carries a compelling message of resilience and perseverance. More than a decade separated her first attempt at Idols from ultimately winning the competition — during which time she continued working, raising a family, teaching vocals and pursuing her ambition to build a professional music career.
With her combination of powerful vocals, versatility, authenticity and an uplifting personal journey, Berry has established herself as a distinctive Cape Town-based South African performer with the ability to connect across generations and musical tastes.
