Ijay Swanepoel is a gem of a person, dealing with his severe disability by fighting the good fight. He suffers from a neuromuscular disorder that results in the loss of motor neurons and progressive muscle wasting known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 (SMA). Rather than be defeated by his fate, Ijay chose to become a fighting symbol of hope and inspiration to those who are disabled, different, oppressed, bullied, and everyone in-between. Ijay uses his immense talent and music to motivate and inspire under the alias Stephen Gawking, The Nuclear Lyricist (inspired by Stephen Hawking). Ijay shares that “My life is a portrait, and I hold the paintbrush. I got dealt a bad hand, but I’ll play it like a royal flush!”.
Ijay is also a big lover of sport, with Rugby being his favourite. The great Cheslin Kolbe started his career with many people telling him he will not succeed playing Rugby. However, he never listened to these naysayers and became one of the biggest stars in South Africa (and in the world). The concept of this song … What at if Cheslin Kolbe listened to these naysayers, and didn’t pursue Rugby? He would’ve been discouraged, working in an office cubicle, hearing a voice deep within, as the song plays like his destiny calling. In real life, Kolbe never listened to the naysayers, and is one of the greatest Rugby players of his time. How many people listen to the naysayers, losing out on their potential because they don’t try?
This track has collaboration from music heavyweights Loufi, Gazelle, HemelBesem & Vicus Visser, and aimed at being an anthem to motivate and inspire everyone to pursue their dreams, as the old cliché states “rather try and fail, than fail to try”. Ijay Swanepoel personally lives by this motto, and has learned so much by doing so (who would’ve thought he would meet and work with such prominent artists)? Ijay Swanepoel shares that “I feel like Nick Fury bringing together the Avengers for the first time, and like them, I feel that this song will be iconic, especially for the Stephen Gawking brand. I still can’t really believe it, it feels surreal. Everyone featuring on this track, and everyone behind the scenes that made this possible, is scattered across SA, and as far as New York. For me, this whole Stephen Gawking project is, and continuously aims to be, the ultimate embodiment of the Rainbow Nation, and what South Africa has to offer!”
‘Cheslin Kolbe In An Office Cubicle’ from Stephen Gawking featuring HemelBesem, Loufi, Gazelle & Vicus Visser is available on all streaming platforms from 20 January https://linktr.ee/stephengawking
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