Fassie
Lebo, lead vocalist, Boom Shaka: “When we were about 14 we were just dancing; she knew us and called us on stage … She inspired us to be where we are now. No matter what happens she’ll be the one. People do experience these ups and downs, but she’s the only one who knows what’s going wrong with Brenda Fassie.”
Arthur, kwaito star, head of 999 Records: “I can still remember everything about the first time I saw Brenda perform in Soweto… later, working with her was really important to me.”
Glen Lewis, Radio Metro DJ:”I think she’s one of the best singers this country has ever seen, especially as someone working in a male-dominated industry … For me she’s the first South African artist to make our music commercial.”
Bonnie Mbuli, TV presenter: “I remember when she got blue contact lenses and it was considered a thing not to be done by black women. I think it was brave and I liked it.”
Queen, lead vocalist, Abashante:”She’s a born fighter. I was influenced by her in everything: singing, dancing, she’s got it all.”
Romeo Khumalo, Metro DJ:”I don’t think she’ll record again.”
Eugene, Trompies vocalist/producer:”All I can say is that she’s still the best artist I’ve ever come across … Hell who knows what went wrong, she’s human, she makes mistakes like everyone does, all she needs to do is learn from them.”
Gerry Williams, presenter, M-Net:”I think Brenda is the closest thing we’ve had to a superstar … but I don’t think audiences will give her a second chance – this is a closed-minded country, it’s such a new problem that we don’t even know how to deal with it, it’s not like the US where people are used to drug addiction … This country needs a bad girl and she’s a lekker bad girl.”
Caroline Fassie, TV presenter, Ezimtoti:”First of all she’s my aunt so what I say will probably be biased, but it’ll be honest. She’s been a mentor to a lot of artists … Maybe if she decides that she needs to do something about the situation she’s in, then she’ll come back with a big bang.”
Zam Nkosi, TV presenter, Selimathunzi:”She’s always ushered in new trends. She was a superstar and had a great deal of money and a lot to contend with … She’s one of the pioneers of a new era. It doesn’t help for every one to shoot her down … I wouldn’t be surprised if she started breaking new ground again in the Nineties.
Andile, singer: “Personally she’s always been my queen.”
Christos, house music producer and DJ:”She was 19 or 20 when she got success. People need to be taught how to handle themselves in that situation. Record companies were more interested in making money than helping her.”
Lindelani Mkhize, Sony Music:”In this industry it’s hard for artists to survive for five years even and she’s survived for 10.”
Isaac Chokwe, TV presenter:”If you haven’t seen a Brenda show live, you need to slap yourself twice.” – Interviews and research by Maria McCloy. Photos by Dror Eyal