Suzan & Freek are a Dutch musical duo from Achterhoek, Netherlands. The now husband-and-wife couple of Suzan Stortelder and Freek Rikkerink released music together beginning in 2014.[1]
The duo first went viral when The Chainsmokers shared their cover of "Don't Let Me Down" in 2016. Their first original song, "Als het avond is", was released in 2018 and reached number one on the Dutch Top 40 in 2019, eventually being certified Platinum. Their debut album Gedeeld door ons entered the charts at number two in both the Netherlands and Belgium, and their next two albums both reached number one in the Netherlands. The duo has been credited with aiding the newfound popularity of Dutch-language pop music in the Netherlands and Flanders in the 2020s.[2][3][4]
On 27 May 2025, the duo announced that Rikkerink was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer; they suspended all activities.[5] On 13 June, the duo resumed music activities following a positive prognosis for Rikkerink's condition.[6]
History
Suzan Stortelder and Freek Rikkerink met in 2007 in the music room of the Scholengemeenschap Marianum in Groenlo and began talking on MSN. Though Suzan was a year older and in a higher class, they played in a school band together and soon began a relationship.[7][8][9][10]
Afterwards, they continued their studies as Suzan pursued architecture at TU Delft, while Freek studied commercial economics in Tilburg. They first performed in public together in 2009 at De Twee Bruggen campsite in Winterswijk. When the campsite owner asked them what name they wanted to be introduced as, they said simply their names "Suzan & Freek", and it stuck.[11]
In October 2014, Suzan & Freek began posting covers of popular songs on a weekly basis under the title "De Minuut". The first was Mr. Probz' "Nothing Really Matters", which was praised by Mr. Probz himself.[12] In 2016, their cover of "Don't Let Me Down" went viral after The Chainsmokers shared it, helping the cover receive millions of views and streams.[13] Their first EP, Glass House Sessions, was released in September 2017, featuring five covers.[7]
Their first original song, "Als het avond is", was released on 2 November 2018. It entered the Dutch Top 40 at No. 30 in December, and was certified Gold in March.[14][15] After 17 weeks, it reached number one, breaking a 48-year-old record previously held by Les Poppys' "Non, non, rien n'a changé" (14 weeks) for the longest climb to number one in chart history.[16] After the song reached number one, they both left their jobs – Suzan as an architect, Freek at a record label – to focus on music full-time.[17] Their second single "Blauwe dag" was released on 28 June 2019 and reached No. 4 on the charts.[18] Their debut album Gedeeld door ons was released on 27 September 2019 and reached number two in the Netherlands. It was certified Gold after five days.[19] It would be certified Platinum and remain on the charts for 147 weeks.[20]
The duo released the single "Weg van jou" in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the song was written well before.[21] In August, they released "De overkant", a collaboration with Dutch rapper Snelle, which was a tribute to the Achterhoek region.[22] Suzan & Freek participated in season 13 of Beste Zangers, which aired beginning in September 2020.[23] Their second album Dromen in kleur was released on 29 October 2021. It reached number one on the Dutch Albums Chart in April 2022 after the duo performed two sold-out concerts at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam.[24]
A documentary about the couple, Suzan & Freek: Tussen Jou en Mij, premiered on Netflix in January 2023.[25] Their third album, Iemand van vroeger, was released on 22 September 2023.[26] It debuted at number one in the Netherlands.[20] The duo not only sold out four November 2023 concerts at the Ziggo Dome, but also one at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium.[27][28]
In May 2024, the duo released the single "Verleden tijd" which became their fifteenth top 40 hit, alongside the announcement of six concerts in the Ziggo Dome for May and June 2025.[29][30] In January 2025, they released the single "Ken je dat gevoel", followed by "Batterij" in May 2025.[31][32]
On 27 May 2025, the duo announced that they would cease all activities because of Freek Rikkerink's terminal lung cancer diagnosis. Their three remaining Ziggo Dome shows that week were all cancelled. Initially, the duo withdrew from their upcoming roles as judges on the upcoming season of The Voice of Holland, set to air in January 2026, but rejoined the panel following a more positive diagnosis in Freek's cancer.[33][34] On 13 June, the duo announced that they would return to the stage after consulting with doctors, beginning on 27 June at the Concert at Sea.[35]
Personal lives
Suzan Stortelder was born on 15 June 1992 in Zieuwent and Freek Rikkerink was born on 29 March 1993 in Harreveld.[36]
The couple were engaged in Berlin in July 2022. Their wedding took place in December 2023, in the German town of Goch.[37][38]
On 27 May 2025, the duo announced that Rikkerink was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and that they are expecting their first child. The two immediately ceased all their performances.[5] On 4 June, the couple wrote that Rikkerink had begun life-extending medication with the possibility of surviving for multiple years.[39]
Members
- Suzan Stortelder – vocals and piano
- Freek Rikkerink – vocals and guitar
Discography
Albums
EPs
Singles
References
External links
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