Stephen Gawking is the Nuclear Lyricist of Hope in SA

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Stephen Gawking, AKA ‘the Nuclear Lyricist’, is on a mission to project hope, relatability and inspiration through his music in SA and beyond!

Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa (30 August 2023) — ‘Hip Pop’ artist Stephen Gawking is a musician of many messages. Some are universal. Others strike inspiring chords for people who are disabled, different, oppressed and bullied. All of them are a testament to the Nuclear Lyricist’s determination to project hope in SA and beyond.

Stephen Gawking (Iljay Swanepoel) has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2, a Progressive Neuromuscular Disease. However, he sees himself more as one of the X-Men.

“I cannot speak for others living with similar disabilities, but for me the number one method for coping has always been my imagination. TV, films, and music have always been my therapy. I for instance relate so much to the X-Men.

“The ‘Mutant’ gene does not discriminate, no matter colour or creed, anyone can have it. The ‘Mutants’ are a minority in society, and seen as different, or not normal. Every ‘Mutant’ can go the way of Magneto, which is bitter and hateful path, or be like Professor X, the way of understanding, or trying at least. Professor X understands the best way to treat ignorance is education on who and what the minority is, and vice versa.”—Ijay Swanepoel (Stephen Gawking).

Through his mindset and music, Iljay has taken his own pride in his disability to remind others, no matter their difference, that hope and inspiration are for everyone.

The artist shares:

“August is SMA Awareness and Pride month, and it’s been part of our family since 1989, when my sister Andria was born. Having pride in it was something I struggled with a lot growing up, even to this day, but I have come to accept it more and found pride in it being my cross to carry without ever giving up. However, it’s not easy, and some days it gets me down, but never out.”

To pay tribute to his late sister Andria, who passed on from SMA Type 1, Ijay collaborated with Eduan, Kat & Kulax to release ‘Andria The Angelic’.

“It serves as a reminder that love is eternal and that it can help us to overcome any obstacle. It was inspired by my parents and my longing for my sister.

The song is also a way for me to share my story with others and to offer hope and inspiration to those who are facing similar challenges. The song is universally relatable because it speaks to the universal human experience of loss and grief. The song is a reminder that we are all connected and that we all share the same pain when we lose someone we love; even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

Andria’s story is a testament to the power of the human spirit. She never let her illness define her, and she lived her life with love, joy, and compassion. I hope that this song will offer hope and inspiration to those who are facing similar challenges.”—Ijay Swanepoel.

Listen here.