Van Coke Kartel is Francois Van Coke, Wynand Myburgh Jason Oosthuizen en Jed Kossew.

Just two years after their first release, Van Coke Kartel returned in March 2010 with a third full-length album - Skop, Skiet en Donner. This album followed on the group’s 2009 SAMA-winning release, Waaksaam & Wakker and once again confirmed Van Coke Kartel as a unique phenomenon on the Afrikaans music landscape.

Francois Van Coke and Wynand Myburgh grew up in Bellville together, and have shared their love for making music for as many years as they have been friends. They have played together in many bands over the years, of which Fokofpolisiekar is the best known.

In 2007 Fokofpolisiekar took a break. This break offered Van Coke and Myburgh the opportunity to bring Van Coke Kartel to life, and to focus on their shared musical interests – honest, no-nonsense rock performed with an unequalled intensity, through which to convey their take on life.

Since the release of Skop, Skiet & Donner, Jedd Kossew (lead guitar) and Jason Oosthuizen (drums) have become full time members of Van Coke Kartel. In August 2010, Jason Oosthuizen won the SA’s fastest drummer competition and thus proved himself as a musical force to be reckoned with on the SA Music scene.

Van Coke Kartel released their self-titled debut album in November 2007. The album was recorded at Bellville Studios by acclaimed music producer Theo Crous and was extremely well received by critics and fans alike. The album was nominated for a 2008 SAMA Award in the category Best Afrikaans Rock Album, won a 2008 VAMT for Best Afrikaans Rock Album and was also nominated in the category Most Popular/Best Afrikaans Rock Album for both Huisgenoot Tempo and Vonk Awards in 2008.

One of the singles from the album, Verdoof. Vergiftig. Verskoon My, won an MK Award in the category Hardest Music Video. Waaksaam & Wakker, Van Coke Kartel’s second full-length album, was released in September 2008 and won a 2009 SAMA Award for Best Afrikaans Rock Album. The first radio single “27 Kluisenaar” was on the playlists of campus radio stations nationwide, and reached the # 1 spot on TuksFM.

The second radio single, “Wat Het Van Ons Geword?”, reached the #1 spot on TuksFM, MFM and KovsieFM. The video of “Wat Het Van Ons Geword” remained at # 1 on DSTV music channel MK’s Top 10 for two weeks.

Van Coke Kartel is known for their diverse live performances, from intimate shows at smaller venues, with Francois on acoustic guitar and Wynand on upright bass, to energetic, large-scale events, which has seen them share the stage with international acts such as Muse, 30 Seconds to Mars, Korn, Chris Cornell, Good Charlotte and Billy Talent. Van Coke Kartel also performed in Buenos Aires in October 2009, where they enjoyed an excellent reception.