Retief has never had any desire to be an "artist". At first he only wanted to write relevant Afrikaans praise and worship songs to introduce the students at Kruispunt (a student ministry in Potchefstroom) in God's presence. It was Louis Brittz who finally persuaded him in 2005 to record his music on CD and thus make the music available to the whole country. Retief: “If it were not for his vision, Luidkeels would never have happened. We could never dream what the Lord wanted to do with this. ”

When Luidkeels was released in 2005, no one could keep quiet about it and the album gained platinum status. His subsequent two albums, Luidkeels Hersien and Luidkeels Oorgegee were both gold certified.

Album number three was Luidkeels Dieper, which was released in Sept 2012. It was his last album released under the Luidkeels name. With these albums he has won several SAMA awards, a Huisgenoot Tempo, Ghoemas and even a Crown Gospel Award.

In April 2015, Retief's first solo album called Now and Forever will be released. It was written with one message: to honor Jesus, in every season - for now and forever ... and was also honored with a Ghoema award.

July 2015 sees the release of the live worship recording at the Mighty Men Karoo conference with Joe Niemand and Dewald Gouws with 30,000 men roaring in the background.

In 2017, EVERYTHING, his eighth live recording, will be released and with songs like OVER A THOUSAND YEARS, SINGING AND ROCK OF MY SALVATION, it will be welcomed with open arms nationwide. Two years later and a live recording follows at Atterbury Theater in Pretoria. This album, OERWIN, will be on the shelves in March 2020 and promises to push the boundaries of Afrikaans praise and worship once again. 

Retief is also an avid writer with two books that saw the light of day from his pen. Surrendered - to live loudly in his honor and a second called Deeper, released in October 2013. 

Retief is full-time at Every Nation Tshwane where he serves as a senior pastor. Here he focuses on setting up a new generation of church planters and disciples. His passion for the church, preaching and his country remains the heartbeat of his ministry. Retief: “I think my biggest challenge is to still live daily in all dependence before God after all. It is so important to me to serve in a local congregation and to be just an ordinary disciple-maker. ” He does perform a few performances each year, but his first focus remains his obligations to his congregation, where he lives out his passion for church and discipleship. 

On a personal note, Retief is a keen sportsman who has already chaffed the Comrades and the Iron Man. He is happily married to Isabel, his longtime girlfriend and enjoys being a father with little Wynand and Carlu.

Retief wants to be remembered for one thing: that he wanted to glorify Jesus in everything and made Him known!