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Singer-songwriter Karen Zoid was born in Belgium to a South African diplomat. Back in South Africa, she dropped out of university to release her first album, Poles Apart. This record caused such a stir that it gave birth to the so-called Zoid Generation. She received press coverage not only in South Africa but also in international publications like Time Magazine and U.S. News & World Report. Since then, she has performed at the inaugurations of South African presidents Thabo Mbeki (in 2004) and Jacob Zuma (in 2009); won the 2008 South African Music Award for Best Female Solo Artist; and shared the stage with legendary artists like Annie Lennox, Metallica, and UB40 (among others). Karen Zoid is a maverick of South African rock.

Her song “As Die Musiek Begin Speel” is from her sixth and latest album, Zoid Africa, released in 2012. In this ballad, Zoid offers advice on how to live one’s life while facing society rules and standards of etiquette. The first stanza opens with, “Hulle sê ons moet glo, net soos die kinders.” “Hulle” means “they,” which in this case refers to society. The lyrics, then, argue that society tells us to “believe as children.” This concept hails from Biblical times and it refers to Matthew 18:3, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Karen Zoid ponders, “So is this life then only for beginners?”

"Her song “As Die Musiek Begin Speel” is from her sixth and latest album, Zoid Africa, released in 2012. In this ballad, Zoid offers advice on how to live one’s life while facing society rules and standards of etiquette"

She then says, “Seuntjies word manne en gaan sit dan in 'n kroeg en lyk moeg” (Boys become men, and go sit in bars looking tired). The word “manne” is significant, as it is a colloquial term used to identify big, macho, egotistical Afrikaans men, the kind that normally does indeed hang out at bars. As the singer puts it, when men grow up, they stop behaving as children, become tired, and turn to alcohol.

The following stanza reveals to whom the song is addressed. It reads, “My seun jy moet luister as ek vir jou s sê, jy gaan eendag moet veg met als wat jy het.” “My seun” means “my boy,” who is none other than Ben Francis Reineke Zoid, Karen’s child with her ex-husband and fellow band member Don Reineke. She says, “Luister na my” (listen to me), asking her boy to pay attention and learn the lessons he will need to understand in order to rise above society’s nonsensical judgments, as Karen herself had to do in order to grow into a great musician. “Soms gaan jy voel wat is die doel” (Sometimes you will wonder what the point is), the song continues. “Genoeg is genoeg” (Enough is enough) states Zoid, a phrase that is commonly used when the going gets tough.

"The chorus announces what Zoid wants from her boy: he must sing along as the music begins to play, dance under the summer rain, and search for the “reënboog langs die pad, my skat.” The “reënboog” (rainbow) refers to the legend of the leprechaun who waits at the base of a rainbow with a pot of gold and good fortune"

The chorus announces what Zoid wants from her boy: he must sing along as the music begins to play, dance under the summer rain, and search for the “reënboog langs die pad, my skat.” The “reënboog” (rainbow) refers to the legend of the leprechaun who waits at the base of a rainbow with a pot of gold and good fortune. It also suggests that Zoid’s son must find his place in the Rainbow Nation of South Africa. “My skat” is a term of endearment used between loved ones, meaning “My treasure.” Zoid advisces her boy to run into the sea wearing jeans, look for mermaids, and discuss the beautiful coastal places. She tells him, “Bly bewus van jouself, nie te veel nie, ook nie te min nie, maar nie te veel nie.” “Bewus” translates as “conscious awareness.” Zoid wants her son to be conscious of himself, but not too much. She tells him that, if he ever feels that life is one great “gesuffer” (an Anglicism derived from “suffer”), he should reach out with his hands and help another person in need.

Karen Zoid has definitely lived up to this advice. She has performed at many charity concerts and was one of the preeminent performers at the 46664 HIV/AIDS benefit concert in 2005 (the 46664 concerts are held in honor of Nelson Mandela, since Mandela was “prisoner 46664” on Robben Island during the 60s).