Jack Parow, whose real name is Zander Tyler, was born on February 22, 1982. He is a trailblazing South African rapper famous for performing in Afrikaans and embodying the “zef” subculture. He rose to prominence with his hit track “Cooler as Ekke” and has become an iconic figure in the South African hip hop scene.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Zander Tyler |
| Date of Birth | 22 February 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Durbanville, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Partner | Jenna Pietersen (long-term girlfriend) |
| Children | 1 (daughter, Tokoloshe Tyler / Ruby Tyler) |
| Occupations | Rapper, Songwriter, TV Producer, Entrepreneur |
| Labels | Top Notch, Independent |
| Net Worth | $55,000 – $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Zander Tyler grew up in Parow, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, as the youngest child in his family. His parents, Edwin and Ronel, supported him until his father passed away in 2005.
From a young age, he was inspired by rap music, especially Snoop Dogg’s album Doggystyle. Initially rapping in English, he later switched to Afrikaans, which distinguished him in the local music industry.
Although he trained as a mechanic, he held various jobs such as fish packing and grave allocation to fund his passion for music.
Career
Jack Parow’s career took off in 2009 with the release of “Cooler as Ekke,” which gained traction through support from the band Die Heuwels Fantasties. He collaborated with them on the track “Die Vraagstuk” and quickly became known for his distinctive style and witty, sometimes provocative lyrics.
His debut album Jack Parow came out in 2009, followed by Eksie Ou (2011), Nag Van Die Lang Pette (2014), and Dis Hoe Ons Rol (2016). He has also released two EPs and toured extensively both within South Africa and internationally.
In addition to music, Parow authored his biography Die Ou Met die Snor by die Bar in 2015 and produced the TV series Dis Hoe Ons Rol in 2016, showcasing his performances across all nine provinces of South Africa.
In 2017, he launched his own brandy label, Parow Brandy. His career is managed by Wynand Myburgh, known for his work with other prominent South African bands.
Personal Life
Despite his bold stage persona, Jack Parow is known for being grounded and private. He has a daughter named Ruby Tyler, born in 2012, and has been linked romantically to model Jenna Pietersen. He prefers to keep his personal and family life away from the spotlight.
Jack Parow Net Worth
As of 2025, Jack Parow’s estimated net worth ranges between $500,000 and $1 million. His income streams include music sales, live performances, his brandy business, and various brand endorsements.
Discography
| Release | Year |
|---|---|
| Jack Parow (Album) | 2009 |
| Eksie Ou (Album) | 2011 |
| Nag Van Die Lang Pette (Album) | 2014 |
| Dis Hoe Ons Rol (Album) | 2016 |
| Cooler as Ekke (EP) | 2009 |
| From Parow with Love (EP) | 2016 |
