It is often said, “You need to know where you come from if you want to see where you are headed,” and the next generation of South African artists is looking no further than Brenda Fassie.
This year marked what would have been the late singer’s 61st birthday.
Brenda, best known for her hit song, “Weekend Special”, passed away in May 2004 after suffering a severe asthma attack. This later led to a cardio-respiratory arrest.
Earlier this month, Spotify released a mini-documentary titled, The Impact of Brenda Fassie.
The 10-minute documentary shines a spotlight on her influence across generations, featuring discussions by Langa Mavuso, Zoë Modiga, Muneyi, and Nanette, all of whom were impacted by her music and life.
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Speaking on the impact of “Ma Brr,” as she was known, Zoë Modiga, said that the late singer has had a big impact on her personal career.
“We’ve heard it all before, ‘believe in yourself,’ but hers was like the first option is to believe in myself,” she said.
Muneyi added that because of the freedom South Africans are enjoying in the new democracy, many people in the current generation might not fully grasp the magnitude of her impact.
“Singing about what she was singing about, at the time she was and still is present,” Muneyi shared.
“I see a lot of what she did then that’s become sort of like the fabric of who we are now. I wonder what her looking at us or looking at, you know, the youth, would have been like, especially the queer community.”
Meanwhile, Spotify later hosted an event at Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg. The show featured panel discussions, as well as an exhibition showcasing some highlights of her career to honour her legacy. Fans will have the opportunity to get a close glimpse of the exhibit from 4 November to 4 December.
Also see: Gemma Fassie Shines at Brenda Fassie Tribute, Honouring Her Aunt’s Legacy
