Axene - 16

by Celinda Groenwald Email · Print

Stereotyping is the art of judging on face value and past experience. This technique usually saves you from listening to a smiling fresh-faced teenager surrounded by butterfly and flower designs decorating her debut album cover, and in doing so miss out on the inevitable gag reflex.

But giving South Africa's latest teen pop sensation, Axene's bright pink CD and songs like "Speechless" and "So Sensitive" a spin it seems like we shouldn't judge it on its magic marker cover alone. Like the Miley Cirus and Hannah Montana tag team that took the world by storm, we may have a mini pop weather wonder of our own.

The blonde babe's musicality is a far cry from the heydays of Afrikaans pop star Nadine's "Krappies en Krefies" hit where a cute little girl with a big voice catered for a much more mature audience. Axene knows the teenage market (well, duh) and hits it smack on target with lyrics on life ("Daddy Don't Go"), boys ("Goodbye, Goodbye”) and being yourself ("What you see is what you get"), all sung in an almost country twang that's oh so Miley and very sexy.

Axene's album may be a sweet 16, but she definitely knows every teeny bopper is a wannabe Britney minx waiting to happen. Hence "Little Sister" with lyrics like "I’d say you're about twenty and I'm not running away, just take your time coz there's plenty of guys who're willing to be more than a brother to me...."

Hers is a typical pop sound with ballads evening out the upbeat tunes and catchy chorus lines. Axene has it spot on when she sings "I'm a small town girl that's gonna rock the world...." on "Small Town Girl". Well, South Africa is a good place to start.

Play clips from this album

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Bra G 5/31/2010 6:04 AM Rate it:: AXENE won the SAMA 2010- Best Pop album. Well done . Well deserved. How do you beat the critics? with EXCELLENCE and that is precisley what Axene did. Proud of you. Peace, Love & Justice, Bra G

Bra G 5/31/2010 6:04 AM Rate it:: AXENE won the SAMA 2010- Best Pop album. Well done . Well deserved. How do you beat the critics? with EXCELLENCE and that is precisley what Axene did. Proud of you. Peace, Love & Justice, Bra G

Melo 4/19/2010 10:49 AM Rate it:: Pragtige album met soveel talent! Ja, en nou wonder ek wat die negatiewe mense hierbo te sê het oor jou SAMA Axene?! Jaloesie is maar 'n vreeslike lelike en soms erg gevreesde siekte! Hulle sê mens raak dan super lelik as jy dit kry! :-) Geluk en YOU GO GIRL!!

Bra G 1/10/2010 4:23 AM Rate it:: Please pity those who have the mental capacity of a gnat and are so bitter and twisted that they use this platform to bring attention to your name. Your music should be the focus and frankly not everyone is going to like what you do. That's fine , you cant win em all but it is so unnecessary to read some of the comments on this portal. Be strong and stay focused. Peace, Bra G

Nico 1/4/2010 9:53 PM Rate it:: Ann, you are not suppose to comment on your daughters talent :-)......... I know her and she is very talented. (from a young age). To all the nasty's , if you could do better then only be nasty. To Axene (her real name) GOOD LUCK and ignore the sick comments.

Bokdrol Visagie 1/4/2010 7:01 PM: I hope that is a stage name...maybe I don't...is that what happens when a can of Axe mates with a bottle of Pantene? Axene?

The Nige 1/4/2010 3:35 PM Rate it:: Yup,took one look at the pic and knew she was from here,had a listen,just what the world needs a poor version of the Shakira stereotype with worse songs and zero originality.

William 1/4/2010 9:57 AM: I know the following. 1: everyone has a right to their own opinion and freedom of speech. 2: if you gonna say "someone sings shit", at least look at yourself first. cause i dont see you up their. 3: in my view she can sing and more power to her. but i wont buy her cd's though. kthxbye

Bra G 12/25/2009 5:42 PM Rate it:: Axene, I hope you reading this cause I want to know from the outset that you have an incredible TALENT and an ability to go all the way in the music & entertainment business. You can SING and in this business that is, regrettably, not a prerequisite but I believe you will & can stand the test of time. You have recorded a superb album with excellent material that does justice to your impressive vocal range. My humble advice to you, Axene, is to resist the temptation of getting on the instant fame conveyor belt but rather be a slow burner where longevity is the key in your anticipated long career.Remember also mistakes in your career are not end of the world(we all make them)they just stepping stones to the Greatness you deserve. Be Proud yet remain Humble! Remember always its the FANS that will make or break you. Good Luck,with love, peace and justice. Bra G

ChristinaP 12/25/2009 10:30 AM Rate it:: While she is a really sweet person, her vocals tend to be screechy and not all that amazing. I have heard many talented youngsters, much more than she, that do not have albums which is a shame. Some of the songs are alright but she does nothing for me. She is in the vein of the current 'Disney Channel' stars who have the look but sadly, not so much talent. I do wish her luck though

Superman 12/23/2009 1:28 PM Rate it:: Lovely album, amazing talent and a really good personality! these simpletons with their negative comments should keep it to themselves, they dont know siht! they`re obviously jealous and just cant take it that theres sum1 more suksesfull and likable than their own sorry asses out there! i pitty you all... Dont let these intellectualy challenged people get you down axene, they`re nothing!

Silk 12/23/2009 12:39 PM Rate it:: Now really. I know people have a desire for the simple and straightforward. The insanely happy little bubble that is pop music IS comfortable. But even by that standard, Axene is incredibly shite. Her vocals are average, her lyrics could be defecated by someone as insipid as Shakira, before her morning snort and it shows NO creativity. With all the good music coming out in SA at the minute, why the FCUK would you listen to Axene? Crisis!

Liz 12/23/2009 11:16 AM Rate it:: Saw her at Canal Walk! Damn she's good!And a lovely person!

Dylan 12/23/2009 11:08 AM Rate it:: Pure Talent!

preshen govender 12/23/2009 9:14 AM Rate it:: hope she makes a sex tape

Lindsay 12/22/2009 4:21 PM Rate it:: Horrible single even more horrible voice. You need to not whine so much. Like your sony say "Im confused."

Lindsay 12/22/2009 4:21 PM Rate it:: Horrible single even more horrible voice. You need to not whine so much. Like your sony say "Im confused."

Lindsay 12/22/2009 4:21 PM Rate it:: Horrible single even more horrible voice. You need to not whine so much. Like your sony say "Im confused."

namlion 12/22/2009 3:55 PM: i cannot comment on her talent, never heard of her..but her photographer should be "axed", what's with the old fashioned tea-cosy on her head??

roger 12/22/2009 10:09 AM Rate it:: we saw this chick at the fifa final draw. yoh! she was horrific! and she had this old guy following her around all the time taking photos. really creepy.

SB 12/22/2009 8:59 AM Rate it:: Awesome!!! I saw her on the news one morning and thought: how fresh, funky! Absolutely gorgeous girl!

Tiaan Vermaak 12/20/2009 9:13 AM Rate it:: Absolute loved it... When is the second album coming out? You go Axene!!

cal 12/18/2009 9:09 PM: Adjectives alone cannot describe how good this album is. With musical input from one of the country's top musicians, top notch international mixing and of course a very spectacular tallent from Axene this is more than just a teen album. This is the debut album of a future bright star. Well done and every success.