Brenda Fassie or "MaBrrr", as Fassie was known by millions of fans in worldwide,
was South Africa's undisputed queen of pop, she died at age 39 on the 26th April 2004.

SAHO BIOGRAPHY • A TIMELINE OF SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC • TRIBUTES: Taken from the Sowetan

Brenda lives on through discs | Hamba Kahle, SA's favourite | MaBrrr: chic with chutzpah | The Dudes remember Nokuzola

Brenda lives on through discs

Sowetan: TIME OUT, Friday 14 May 2004Author: Gugu Sibiya

In an illustrious glittering and glamorous career path strewn with numerous awards in recognition of her talent and excellence in entertaining Mzantsi crowds, Brenda Fassie released 24 albums.

Her debut offering Weekend Special not only became an anthem, but succeeded in being on Billboard and the British charts. Together with later tracks like Black President it was released abroad.

On Weekend Special album, was the calming Life is Going On which was a slow, reflective and heart tugging number that was adopted by lovers.

Black President came at the right time when everybody was rooting for Nelson Mandela to come out of jail. So Brenda struck the right note in the same manner I Am A Good Black Woman did. Banned as it was, it became an anthem, a song most activists and their families related to.

Too Late For Mama evoked emotive feelings, backed by its touching video, showing just what a great actress she could also be.

Ag Shame Lovey started a dance craze, earning her throngs of young fans who followed her like the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

It was ironic to hear her sing Bad Girl which she denied being, while everybody thought she was.

Yo Baby saw her change her style, moving more into the streetwise circle kinda music and lingo. Though highly criticised, she made serious inroads into that market. Mama, a tribute to her mother, Sarah, fondly referred to as Mamokoena, was timeous because two years later she passed away.

A publicityaholic, she sang Abantu Bayakhuluma like she cared. She lived to shock and to get them to notice her, and then talking with the publications hot on her heels all the time. Now Is The Time was welcomed by die-hard fans though it failed to make waves. Paparazzi also did not do much for this diminutive pop diva.

Memeza, one of her greatest hits saleswise, turned the tide for the down and out Madonna of the Townships. It was massive, with sales exceeding half a million copies.

The upward spiral continued with Nomakanjani, Amadlozi and Mina Nawe, but Myekeleni and Mali didn't keep the cash register tinkling.

Among Brenda's greatest hits were also songs such as No No No Senor, Higher and Higher, Boipatong, Promises, Zola Budd, Amalahle, Touch Somebody, Amagents, It's nice to be with people, Sum Bulala, Soon, very soon, Kuyoze kuyovalwa, Mina Ngohlala Nginje, Ponci Ponci, Mali, Ntshware – Ndibambe, My Baby, The Lord is my Shepherd, Part time – kuyangokuthi ungubani, I-straight Lendaba and Baby Bongani.

 

- SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY ONLINE