Brenda Fassie
Brenda Fassie | |
---|---|
Birth name | Brenda Nokuzola Fassie |
Also known as | MaBrrr |
Born | Afropop | 3 November 1964
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 1981–2004 |
Labels | CCP |
Formerly of | Brenda and the Big Dudes |
Brenda Nokuzola Fassie[2] (3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004)[3] was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist.[4] Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop", the "Madonna of The Townships" or simply as The Black Madonna. Her bold stage antics earned a reputation for "outrageousness";[5] ironically, her Xhosa name, Nokuzola, means "quiet", "calm", or "peace".
Biography
Brenda Nokuzola Fassie was born in
When she was 16 years old in 1981, she received a visit by
With very outspoken views and frequent visits to the poorer
In 1995, she was discovered in a hotel with the body of her female lover, Poppie Sihlahla, who had died of an apparent overdose.[6] Fassie underwent rehabilitation and got her career back on track.[6] However, she still had drug problems, and returned to drug rehabilitation clinics about 30 times in her life.[6] From 1996 on she released several solo albums, including Now Is the Time (1996), Paparazzi (1997), Memeza (1998) and Nomakanjani (1999). Most of her albums became multi-platinum sellers in South Africa, of which Memeza was the best-selling album in South Africa in 1998.[6]
Death
On the morning of 26 April 2004, Fassie collapsed at her home in
Recognition
Fassie won five
Her son Bongani "Bongz" Fassie performed "I'm So Sorry", a song dedicated to his mother, on the soundtrack to the 2005
Discography
Most of Fassie's records were issued by the EMI-owned CCP Records.
With The Big Dudes:
- 1983: Weekend Special
- 1984: Cool Spot (EP)
- 1984: Let's Stick Together
- 1984: Someone To Love (Maxi)
- 1985: Higher and Higher
- 1985: Touch Somebody (EP)
- 1986: No No Señor
Solo albums:
- 1987: Brenda
- 1987: Ag Shame Lovey
- 1988: Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu
- 1989: Too Late for Mama
- 1990: Black President
- 1991: I Am Not a Bad Girl
- 1992: Yo Baby
- 1993: Mama
- 1994: Abantu Bayakhuluma
- 1995: Umuntu Uyashintsha
- 1996: Now Is the Time
- 1997: Paparazzi
- 1998: Memeza
- 1999: Nomakanjani
- 2000: Thola Amadlozi
- 2001: Myekeleni
- 2002: Mina Nawe: Ngohlala Ngi Nje
- 2003: Mali
- 2004: Gimme Some Volume
- 2004: Greatest Hits: The Queen of African Pop (1964–2004)
Fassie also contributed to
See also
- Afro-pop
- Anti-apartheid music
References
- ^ Hlasane, Rangoato (18 May 2021). "State of emergency: The rise and the alchemy of the people's hit". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- South African History Online. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- Allmusic. Retrieved 20 August 2007.
- ^ Wyatt, Hugh (29 November 1990). "Anger at Injustice Fuels Brenda Fassie's Music". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ a b Desa Philadelphia, "Brenda Fassie: Africa: The Madonna Of The Townships", Time, 15 September 2001.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Brenda Fassie: A very human hero". BBC News. London. 10 May 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2007.
- ^ Walsh, Declan (10 October 2011). "Brenda Fassie: Brash and brilliant queen of African pop". The Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Brenda Nokuzola Fassie", South African History Online.
- ^ Lategan, Annel (18 May 2004). "The life of Brenda Fassie". Women24. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ McGregor, Liz (11 May 2004). "Obituary: Brenda Fassie". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ISSN 0149-0508.
- ^ Diane Coetzer, "South Africa's Brenda Fassie Dies Aged 39" Archived 16 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Billboard, 10 May 2004.
- ^ "South Africans mourn top pop diva". BBC News. London. 11 May 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2007.
- ^ "Public Art". Newtown Heritage Trail. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- Afropop! An Illustrated Guide to Contemporary African Music by Sean Barlow & Banning Eyre. (Book Sales August 1995) ISBN 978-0-7858-0443-7
External links
- Brenda Fassie discography at Discogs