Based: Johannesburg

Justin Serrao is not just your average singer-songwriter. At the age of 27, Justin is a festival promoter,  PR specialist, studio producer, multi-instrumentalist, live performer, strategic networker, successful music business entrepreneur and all-round nice guy! Having played in several bands since 2001, Justin has settled into a comfortable niche space that no other SA artist is presently dominating in. He describes his music as a fusion of acoustic and country rock. Aside from powerful originals, Justin has a massive repertoire of familiar current Top 40 hits that he’s cleverly transformed from commercial pop or dance tracks, into foot stomping country versions. Country music has its roots in string, banjo, harmonica or guitar-accompanied sound from South and Western American folk music, usually vocalised in harmonies, with a mix of powerful melodic ballads and foot-stomping show thumpers. What makes Justin’s take on this genre so unique is that he extends his vocal range from a bass to a tenor with a fierce ease, and the fact that he fuses a genre that was popularised in 1920’s America, with modern-day pop.

The back story
In 2011 Justin saw the many marketing and exposure opportunities associated with being a part of Idols and he came an esteemed 33rd place in the competition that is entered into each year by thousands and thousands of hopeful contestants. Shortly after this reality TV experience and having gained a commendable following, Justin released his debut album ‘Touching Toes Without Clothes’.
Justin’s second album, ‘Forget and Let Loose’, was released in August
2014. Justin co-produced the collection alongside David Grevler.
He is presently promoting his new singles and performing around the country as either a soloist or backed by a live band, including some of South Africa’s most prolific session musicians.