Merel Baldé (born 10 February 1991), better known by the stage name Merol (stylized in all caps), is a Dutch singer and actress. She rose to fame with the release of the singles "Lekker met de meiden" and "Hou je bek en bef me", released in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Merel Baldé | |
|---|---|
 Baldé in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | MEROL |
| Born | 10 February 1991 Dordrecht, Netherlands |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Ammehoela Records |
| Website | merol |
Early years
editBaldé was born in Dordrecht. Her father is account manager and her mother teaches Dutch.[1] In 2014, she graduated from the Amsterdam Academy of Theatre and Dance.[2] After graduating she featured in various Dutch theatre plays, television shows and the feature film All You Need Is Love.[3]
Singing career
editBreakthrough (2018)
editIn 2018, Baldé released her first EP, Boter, under the name MEROL with her own label Ammehoela Records.[2] From this EP, she released the song "Ik wil een kind van jou" (I want a child from you) as her debut single on Valentine's Day 2018, during which it was performed live on radio.[4] In July of the same year, she released the summer single "Lekker met de meiden" (fun with the girls).[5] The single mocks stereotypes of young (mainly Amsterdam) women, to whom Baldé incidentally includes herself.[6] The single became a hit. She explained on the radio, that it first mainly was a hit among the "gays" and "then came the mainstream girls and now I get mainly straight guys in my DM who want to buy merchandise".[7] The Christmas single Kerst met de fam about 'Christmas clichés' was released at the end of 2018.
Hou je bek en bef me (2019)
editOn Valentine's Day 2019, the controversial single "Hou je bek en bef me" (shut up and lick my pussy) was released. The explicit lyrics about women's sexual experience evoked many reactions. Baldé explained that she "always needs to be a little embarrassed about a song" and that although she herself found it "quite uncomfortable", the song is indeed "autobiographical".[8] She wrote the song in response to the explicit sexuality in mostly male rappers' lyrics and wanted "a woman to also [sing] what she needs for once".[9] Whereas the artist initially, especially in response to this single, called herself an "accidental feminist",[10] she later backtracked on that and indicated that she considers feminism a very important cause. Apart from the success in the Netherlands, the song was also a hit in Belgium. According to Baldé, there was a more prudish and indignant reaction to the song in Belgium than in the Netherlands.[11] At the end of 2019, "Hou je bek en bef me" won Baldé her first award; Song of the Year 2019.[12]
After breakthrough (2019–2020)
editIn March 2019, Baldé gave her first and second public performances at Paradiso a major music podium in the Netherlands.[6] The documentary Lekker met MEROL from July of that year shows the preparations for her first concert.[13] Together with rapper Bokoesam, the singer released the single Geen reet (no ass) in mid-2019. According to Baldé, Geen reet was a body positivity statement against the reactions that ridiculed her body, and she cited American singer Lizzo as an inspiration.[14] Furthermore, the single "Krijg het er geil van" (making me horny) was released in August in collaboration with rapper Gotu Jim. In October 2019, Baldé released her second EP titled "Superlatief" (superlative), of which the singles "Dan maar jij" (I guess then you) and "Superlatieven"' (Superlatives) had been previously released. To promote "Superlatief", Baldé went on a club tour through the Netherlands and Belgium and gave an end of the year concert at Paradiso, her fourth performance on the major pop stage that year.[4]
As the first single of 2020, Baldé released "Slippertje" (little affair/accident/flip flop) in collaboration with the museum Mauritshuis. As part of the musical project View the Mauritshuis with your ears, she drew her inspiration for her adultery song from Joachim Wtewael's 1601 painting Mars and Venus Caught by Vulcan. She performed the song for the first time in the museum's foyer.[15][16]
During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021)
editTo continue the tradition of Valentine's Day singles, the song "Binnendingen" (inside things) was released in February 2020. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Baldé posted a list of potential songs on her Instagram account. The song 'Houseparty' from that list, referring to the video calling app that exploded in popularity during the first COVID wave, was eventually recorded and released.[17][18] That same week, in collaboration with comedian and television host Arjen Lubach, the song and music video "Ik **** je op afstand" (I **** you remotely) was released. Remotely referring to the COVID rules.
In the summer of 2020, the single "Je vais vite (op de campingdisco)" (I go fast (French) on the camping disco (Dutch)) was released, followed by "Knaldrang" (blast urge) in November. The music video for "Knaldrang" was shot in several Amsterdam clubs, which were closed for months due to the COVID crisis and received little government support or perspective.[19] As such, the song was an "ode to nightlife". ' Baldé's first single in 2021 was the fourth Valentine's Day single called "Foefsafari" (pussy safari) in which, just as in "Hou je bek en bef me" she called attention to the orgasm gap between women and men. In April 2021, Baldé performed twice for so-called test events, where visitors were admitted on the basis of a negative coronal test.
Troostprijs (2021–now)
editIn September 2021, Baldé released the single "Vol" (full). This song was the lead single of her debut album Troostprijs, released on 15 April 2022.[20] The song was a hit in the Flemish charts due to her appearance in the Flemish program De Slimste Mens ter Wereld at the time.
Music style
editBaldé's style is described as pop with influences of "girl pop", "synth-pop" and "electropop", with a lot of camp.[6][21][7][1] As for the lyrics, Baldé strives to "make fun of the Dutch language". She wants her songs to contain irony and multiple layers.
Merol, the character
editThe name 'Merol' came about when Baldé as a girl wanted to make a necklace of her name but only had one 'e'.[4] Baldé wants to turn Merol into a real pop star, as she feels such a role is lacking in the down-to-earth Dutch music scene.[7]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Album title | Release date | Charting in the Dutch Album Top 100 | Comments | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of entry | Highest | Weeks | |||
| Troostprijs | 2022 | 23–04–2022 | 8 | 5 | |
EPs
edit| Boter (2018)[22] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nr. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Duration |
| 1. | TREK T UIT | Merel Baldé | 3:17 | |
| 2. | IK WIL EEN KIND VAN JOU | 3:20 | ||
| 3. | BEDGIRL | 3:17 | ||
| 4. | LIEFDESLIEDJE | 3:11 | ||
| Totaal: | 13:05 | |||
| Superlatief (2019)[23] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nr. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Duration |
| 1. | Plankje | Merel Baldé, Didier de Ruyter | Baldé, De Ruyter | 2:20 |
| 2. | Superlatieven | Baldé | Soulsearchin | 2:17 |
| 3. | Tien Voor Topo | Baldé, Koen van de Wardt | Baldé, Van de Wardt | 3:09 |
| 4. | Dan Maar Jij | Baldé, Van de Wardt | Baldé, Van de Wardt | 2:55 |
| 5. | Plek Voor Jack | Baldé, Max Oude Weernink, Tim Teunissen | Bart Possemis, Weernink | 2:29 |
| 6. | Rick Lekker Bezig Pik | Baldé, Abel Tuinsta, De Ruyter, Jochem Smaal, Teunissen | De Ruyter, Tuinstra, Smaal | 3:11 |
| Totaal: | 16:24 | |||
Singles
edit| Song title | Release date | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Ik wil een kind van jou | 2018 | – |
| Lekker met de meiden | 26–07–2018 | Nr. 85 in the Single Top 100 |
| Borderline | 05–10–2018 | – |
| Kerst met de fam | 07–12–2018 | – |
| Hou je bek en bef me | 08–02–2019 | 3voor12 Song of the year 2019 |
| Geen reet | 07–06–2019 | Together with Bokoesam |
| Krijg het er geil van | 16–08–2019 | Together with Gotu Jim |
| Dan maar jij | 27–09–2019 | – |
| Superlatieven | 11–10–2019 | – |
| Slippertje | 24–01–2020 | – |
| Binnendingen | 14–02–2020 | – |
| Houseparty | 10–01–2020 | – |
| Ik **** je op afstand | 18–04–2020 | Together with Arjen Lubach |
| Je vais vite (op de campingdisco) | 06–08–2020 | – |
| Knaldrang | 24–11–2020 | – |
| Foefsafari | 12–02–2021 | – |
| Feromonen | 04–06–2021 | As promotion for the series Follow de SOA |
| Vol | 15–09–2021 | – |
| Patronen | 14–01–2022 | – |
| Gemengde signalen | 18–03–2022 | – |
Filmography and theatre
editMusic videos
edit| Year | Song title |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 'Ik wil een kind van jou' | |
| 'Lekker met de meiden' | |
| 'Kerst met de fam' | |
| 2019 | |
| 'Hou je bek en bef me' | |
| 'Barry Hayze' | |
| 'Geen reet' | |
| 'Krijg het er geil van' | |
| 'Dan maar jij' | |
| 2020 | |
| 'Je vais vite (op de campingdisco)' | |
| 'Knaldrang' | |
| 2021 | |
| 'Foefsafari' | |
| 'Vol' |
Television
edit| Year | Film | Role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | De meisjes van Thijs | Odette | |
| 2015 | Flikken Maastricht | Julia Swaans | |
| 2019 | De Slimste Mens | Herself | In two episodes |
| 2021 | Follow de SOA | Math teacher Ms. Veurtsen | Videoland Original, in three episodes |
| Drag Race Holland | Herself (Jury member) | Episode 6 | |
| De Slimste Mens ter Wereld | Herself | In ten episodes, reached second place |
Film
edit| Year | Film | Role | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | All You Need Is Love | Stephanie | |
| 2019 | Lekker met Merol | Herself | TV documentary leading up to Baldé's first concert in Paradiso |
Theatre
edit| Year | Theater play | Role/Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Talloze namen | while studying at the Amsterdamse Toneelschool & Kleinkunstacademie |
| 2013 | Scrooge! | |
| 2014 | Schuinsmarcheerders | graduation play at the Amsterdamse Toneelschool & Kleinkunstacademie |
| 2015 | Kuyper & Wilhelmina | as young Wilhelmina |
| 2015–2016 | Soldier of Orange | as Charlotte |
| 2015–2018 | Trek 't Uit[24] | |
| 2017 | Die Hermannsschlacht | |
| 2018 | Kwispelsteertje |
References
edit- ^ a b "'As Merol I am a very free version of myself' - NRC". 2021-01-21. Archived from the original on 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ a b "MEROL - Biography". NPO 3FM (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "Merel Baldé | Copper en Co | Management and Communication". 2018-10-25. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ a b c Khaddari, Raounak (2020-01-25). "Singer Merol: 'I believe it is important to contintue to find this all weird'". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ Slotboom, Anton (26 July 2018). "Zangeres Merol: 'Ik raak ongeduldig als ik zelf geen liedjes maak'" [Singer Merol: 'I become impatient when I am not making new songs']. Algemeen Dagblad. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ a b c Gool, Joanne van (2019-01-01). "Girl pop with a wink". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ a b c "Merol wants to become the Dutch Lady Gaga". 3voor12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ Hettinga, Frank (2019-02-14). "Singer Merol ('Hou je bek en bef me'): I need to be slightly ashamed of my songs". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ Fiona, Hering (6 March 2020). "Singer Merol explains: "I don't want to beat around the bush, now that's beauty to me"". Vogue. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ Gastauteur (2019-03-12). "Sex Positivity: Thanks to Merol is licking pussy on the tip of our tongue". universonline.nl. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ NWS, VRT (2019-03-05). "Merol of"Hou je bek en bef me": "I didn't know a country could be so prudish"". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "Merol wins Song of the Year 2019 with 'Hou Je Bek En Bef Me'". NPO 3FM (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "BNNVARA documantary Lekker met Merol now online". Dordrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "With 'Geen Reet' wants to contribute to the body positivity-movement". Algemeen Dagblad. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ Nanninga, Robin (24 January 2020). "Merol puts on her 'naughty slippers' and makes a single about a painting at the Mauritshuis". Algemeen Dagblad. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "View the Mauritshuis with Your Ears". Mauritshuis. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "Newsingle MEROL - "Houseparty"". Dansende Beren (in Dutch). 2020-04-12. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ Perez, Sarah (2020-04-15). "Houseparty reports 50M sign-ups in past month amid COVID-19 lockdowns". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "MEROL has Knaldrang, but the clubs remain empty". 3voor12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "Merol launches debut album in april and "Knaldrang" becomes word of the year". Frontview Magazine. 24 December 2021.
- ^ "'Lekker met de meiden' is about women that love keta and krokets". www.vice.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ^ "BOTER - Single by MEROL | Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Superlatief - Single by MEROL | Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Trek 't uit – Wolter Weulink" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.