Out Of Africa: Spotify Honours Legacy Of Late South African Pop Icon Brenda Fassie With Documentary And Exhibition
Documentary and Exhibition Spotlight Brenda Fassie’s Unmatched Cultural Legacy Spotify recently unveiled a global tribute to South African music legend Brenda Fassie as part of its LGBTQIA+ initiative, GLOW, celebrating the late artist’s enduring impact on African pop culture and her influence across generations. At the heart of this celebration is The Impact of Brenda Fassie – a 10-minute […]
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Documentary and Exhibition Spotlight Brenda Fassie’s Unmatched Cultural Legacy
Spotify recently unveiled a global tribute to South African music legend Brenda Fassie as part of its LGBTQIA+ initiative, GLOW, celebrating the late artist’s enduring impact on African pop culture and her influence across generations.
At the heart of this celebration is The Impact of Brenda Fassie – a 10-minute documentary published on Spotify’s YouTube channel, spotlighting Brenda’s influence across generations. The film features artists who have drawn inspiration from her sound and unapologetic presence, including Langa Mavuso, Zoë Modiga, Muneyi, and Nanette.
In addition to the film, Spotify hosted a commemorative event at the Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg, on 4th November 2025. The occasion featured panel discussions and the opening of an immersive exhibition dedicated to Fassie’s life and career. The month-long exhibition, running until 4th December, showcases rare photographs, performance footage, personal memorabilia, and significant milestones from her musical journey.
The exhibition, curated by Maria McCloy, gathered her family, friends and the people who helped to shape and understand her journey, including Chicco Twala, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Blondie Makhene, David Mabaso of her first band The Big Dudes, academic Dr Mbali Mazibuko and journalist Charl Blignaut. Together, they unpacked Fassie’s influence on music, identity and African pop culture.
“It was an honour to be asked by Spotify Glow to curate this event and involve so many key musicians, producers, DJs, journalists, photographers, friends and family in memorialising her, whilst also making sure the new generation learnt about Brenda Fassie too“, said McCloy.
She added, “She gave us so much, not only an album nearly every year from 1983 till 2004 and countless hits, she inspired black people, women and queer people with her immense talent and beautiful boldness both during apartheid and freedom. She was at the forefront of so many movements: from bubblegum to kwaito and Afro-pop. She was friendly to everyone despite her mega fame, we often saw her out and about partying and she was hilarious. Everything got a lot more boring on Joburg’s streets the day she died in 2004. I wish she was here to celebrate her 61st year on earth.”
Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said the initiative aimed to recognise Fassie’s authenticity and cultural significance.
“Brenda Fassie was more than a performer – she was a revolution,” Okumu noted. “Through her voice and her truth, she shattered boundaries with remarkable authenticity.”
As part of the campaign, Spotify GLOW will also display a visual tribute in New York City’s Times Square, underscoring Fassie’s global influence and continued relevance more than two decades after her death.
