Riku Lätti
Riku Lätti is a singer-songwriter, producer, writer, who, once upon a time, studied philosophy at WITS. He then embarked on a career as IT specialist, and, after a few years in the corporate world, he succumbed to the allure of the financially unstable life of a musician. To try to box Riku’s music into a specific genre would be negligible, because, just like the man, his music is eclectic and encompasses a variety of styles, depending on the mood that he wants to create, always staking out new musical territory. He uses various instruments and anything else at his disposal. From chirping birds, whistling kettles, wooden floors, a toothbrush, raindrops, to the famous hekkie (gate), which he put to creative use on one of his outstanding tracks, on the album Radio Lava. His songs are uniquely innovative, blending many disparate elements imaginatively.
He has co-produced the soundtracks of the TV-series’ Hopeville (Nominated for an Emmy, Winner of Rose D’or) and Wie lê Waar (kykNET) with Jahn Beukes, and Vlug na Egipte with Leslie Javan. He also produced the soundtrack and sound design for the feature film Die Ongelooflike Avonture van Hanna Hoekom (for which he won a SAFTA) and most recently the critically acclaimed Jans Rautenbach film, Abraham.
Riku has released 10 albums which he has written, recorded and produced himself, as well as being the producer of 8 albums for other artists. He has won numerous awards including the GMT best male vocal for the album Aan’t sterre tel, plus his album Radio Lava was considered among the top 25 Afrikaans albums of all time by Die Beeld and singled out by journalist, producer and author Deon Maas, as one of the three most important Afrikaans albums ever made.
Riku, the David Attenborough of the music industry, seeks out musicians in their natural habitats and then records them right there, without pretense. No nonsense. Just raw, honest music, captured, and then showcased as a beautiful protest to the current state of the music industry in South Africa. This musical movement is well known under the title Die Wasgoedlyn. Various Wasgoedlyn performances have seen numerous different artists get together to spread the joy of loving and living music.
Die Wasgoedlyn has developed into a TV-series:
Riku’s aim is not to create pretentious art, but to create beautiful things. His music and lyrics does not just tell his story, but also empathetically convey the stories of other people and places, whether imaginary or real. In creating he becomes inspired and an inspiration to others.
Discography – Riku Lätti as Artist
Hoop daai boom is Oukei – 2018
Victor S. Wolf – Grace – 2018
Kingston & the Rasta
Aan’t Sterre Tel – 2004
Janneman in die Diereryk – 2011
Riku Lätti – Akoesties
Debut Album of Riku Lätti
Discography – Riku Lätti as Film Composer
Abraham – ‘n Jans Rautenbach Film (Oorspronklike Klankbaan) 2014
Skemerson – Oorspronklike Klankbaan
Die Ongelooflike Avonture van Hanna Hoekom – 2010
Discography – Riku Lätti as Producer
Brain Cloete – Oukie van Namakwaland
DIE WASGOEDLYN – VOL 2
2ster Hotel – Bacchus Nel
Die Wasgoedlyn vol 1
Lochner de Kock – haal asem en leer dans
Bacchus Nel – Tussen Junk Jewelry
Churchil Naude – Kroeskop vol Geraas
Loit Sôls – Innie Noot
Sihlangene – Traditional Maskandi
Churchil Naude – Kroesifaaid
Danie Marais & Francois le Roux – Solank verlange die tjello stryk