Merel Baldé

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Merel Baldé
Baldé in 2022
Background information
Also known asMEROL
Born (1991-02-10) 10 February 1991 (age 33)
Dordrecht, Netherlands
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active2011–present
LabelsAmmehoela Records
Websitemerol.nl

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.

Early years[edit]

Baldé 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[edit]

Breakthrough (2018)[edit]

In 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)[edit]

On 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]

Baldé at Song of the Year in 2018

After breakthrough (2019–2020)[edit]

In 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]

The painting Mars and Venus Caught by Vulcan, about two Roman gods caught in adultery, served as the inspiration for Baldé's single Slippertje.

During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021)[edit]

To 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)[edit]

In 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[edit]

Baldé'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[edit]

The 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[edit]

Albums[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

EP's[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[edit]

Music 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]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "MEROL - Biography". NPO 3FM (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  3. ^ "Merel Baldé | Copper en Co | Management and Communication". 2018-10-25. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b c Gool, Joanne van (2019-01-01). "Girl pop with a wink". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  7. ^ a b c "Merol wants to become the Dutch Lady Gaga". 3voor12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Gastauteur (2019-03-12). "Sex Positivity: Thanks to Merol is licking pussy on the tip of our tongue". universonline.nl. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Merol wins Song of the Year 2019 with 'Hou Je Bek En Bef Me'". NPO 3FM (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  13. ^ "BNNVARA documantary Lekker met Merol now online". Dordrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  14. ^ "With 'Geen Reet' wants to contribute to the body positivity-movement". Algemeen Dagblad. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "View the Mauritshuis with Your Ears". Mauritshuis. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  17. ^ "Newsingle MEROL - "Houseparty"". Dansende Beren (in Dutch). 2020-04-12. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  18. ^ Perez, Sarah (2020-04-15). "Houseparty reports 50M sign-ups in past month amid COVID-19 lockdowns". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  19. ^ "MEROL has Knaldrang, but the clubs remain empty". 3voor12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  20. ^ "Merol launches debut album in april and "Knaldrang" becomes word of the year". Frontview Magazine. 24 December 2021.
  21. ^ "'Lekker met de meiden' is about women that love keta and krokets". www.vice.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  22. ^ "BOTER - Single by MEROL | Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  23. ^ "Superlatief - Single by MEROL | Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  24. ^ "Trek 't uit – Wolter Weulink" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
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