Documentary and Exhibition Highlight Brenda Fassie’s Unmatched Cultural Legacy
Spotify not too long ago unveiled a world tribute to South African music legend Brenda Fassie as a part of its LGBTQIA+ initiative, GLOW, celebrating the late artist’s enduring impression on African popular culture and her affect throughout generations.
On the coronary heart of this celebration is The Influence of Brenda Fassie – a 10-minute documentary printed on Spotify’s YouTube channel, spotlighting Brenda’s affect throughout generations. The movie options artists who’ve drawn inspiration from her sound and unapologetic presence, together with Langa Mavuso, Zoë Modiga, Muneyi, and Nanette.
Along with the movie, Spotify hosted a commemorative occasion on the Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg, on 4th November 2025. The event featured panel discussions and the opening of an immersive exhibition devoted to Fassie’s life and profession. The month-long exhibition, working till 4th December, showcases uncommon images, efficiency footage, private memorabilia, and important milestones from her musical journey.
The exhibition, curated by Maria McCloy, gathered her household, mates and the individuals who helped to form and perceive her journey, together with Chicco Twala, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Blondie Makhene, David Mabaso of her first band The Huge Dudes, educational Dr Mbali Mazibuko and journalist Charl Blignaut. Collectively, they unpacked Fassie’s affect on music, identification and African popular culture.
“It was an honour to be requested by Spotify Glow to curate this occasion and contain so many key musicians, producers, DJs, journalists, photographers, family and friends in memorialising her, while additionally ensuring the brand new technology learnt about Brenda Fassie too“, mentioned McCloy.
She added, “She gave us a lot, not solely an album almost yearly from 1983 until 2004 and numerous hits, she impressed black folks, ladies and queer folks along with her immense expertise and exquisite boldness each throughout apartheid and freedom. She was on the forefront of so many actions: from bubblegum to kwaito and Afro-pop. She was pleasant to everybody regardless of her mega fame, we frequently noticed her out and about partying and she or he was hilarious. Every thing bought much more boring on Joburg’s streets the day she died in 2004. I want she was right here to rejoice her 61st 12 months on earth.”
Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, mentioned the initiative aimed to recognise Fassie’s authenticity and cultural significance.
“Brenda Fassie was greater than a performer – she was a revolution,” Okumu famous. “By way of her voice and her fact, she shattered boundaries with exceptional authenticity.”
As a part of the marketing campaign, Spotify GLOW will even show a visible tribute in New York Metropolis’s Occasions Sq., underscoring Fassie’s international affect and continued relevance greater than twenty years after her dying.