FINDING HER OWN VOICE: WHY GEMMA FASSIE IS ONE OF SAMA32’S BREAK-OUT ARTISTS
There are few surnames in South African music that carry as much history as Fassie. For Gemma Fassie, however, that history has never been a destination; it has been the starting point of a journey to discover who she is as an artist.
This Women’s Month, as South Africa celebrates women who are boldly carving out their own paths, Gemma stands as a reminder that legacy may open doors, but authenticity is what keeps them open. Her nomination as one of this year’s 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) in the Best R&B Soul Album category for her EP, Island 22, is more than another accolade. It is recognition that she is stepping into her own light.
We sat down with her for a conversation about her musical journey and what we discovered was both an inspiration and aspirational story. When the SAMA32 nomination was announced, disbelief came before celebration for her.
“I was completely caught off guard,” she says with a smile. “We had submitted our work and were simply hoping for the best, so seeing it come to fruition is truly a ‘look at God’ moment.”
For Gemma, the nomination represents something deeply personal. It is validation after years of quietly doing the work, refining her sound and proving (to herself as much as to the industry) that she belongs.
“It feels like the industry is finally seeing me, appreciating my craft and acknowledging my individual identity.”
That individual identity is something she speaks about with conviction. Ask her to describe herself as an artist, and she doesn’t begin with genres or accolades. Instead, she starts with honesty.
“My music is an extension of my life experiences,” she explains. “I want to create sounds that are honest, soulful and deeply personal.”
If she had to summarise her music in three words, they would be “soulful, evolving and unfiltered”, a fitting description for an artist who refuses to be confined by expectations.
Although music has always surrounded her, Gemma insists her journey began long before she understood the significance of carrying the Fassie name.
Growing up in a home filled with R&B, gospel, jazz and hip-hop, thanks to her mother and brother, she developed a love for music that was entirely her own. That passion became purpose when she chose music as a school subject and began learning under respected educator Fred Kuit.
“It made me realise music wasn’t just part of my family’s story; it was my chosen path.”
Today, that path is defined by exploration rather than limitation. Her sound effortlessly moves between R&B, Afro-pop and, more recently, the infectious rhythms of Lekompo.
Inspired by international artists like Brandy and Jhené Aiko, alongside local favourites such as Jamali, Gemma has found beauty in blending softness with strength, vulnerability with confidence.
Yet perhaps the biggest question she continues to answer is one that follows her everywhere: how do you honour the extraordinary legacy of Brenda Fassie while building your own?
Gemma’s answer is refreshingly simple.
“I don’t have to carry her crown; I have to build my own.”
She speaks about her legendary aunt with immense pride, but she refuses to become a tribute act. Instead, she honours Brenda by embracing the same fearlessness while telling stories that belong solely to her.
“When I step into the studio or onto a stage, I’m not standing in anyone’s shadow. I’m standing in my own light.”
That desire for authenticity lies at the heart of every song she writes. Rather than focusing on grand narratives, she is fascinated by life’s quieter moments: the vulnerability, uncertainty and resilience that shape people behind closed doors.
“I want people to know me through my music,” she says. “Whether I’m writing about love, heartbreak or finding my own path, I’m really telling the story of a young woman claiming her space.”
Her songwriting process mirrors that honesty. She rarely begins with a fixed idea. Instead, she lets the music lead.
“The beat speaks to me first,” she explains. “The melody and rhythm tell me what the song wants to become.”
It is an instinctive approach that allows emotion to guide every lyric, creating songs that feel lived-in rather than manufactured.
Like many artists of her generation, Gemma is also navigating an industry transformed by streaming platforms and social media. While digital platforms have made it easier than ever to connect with audiences across borders, they have also created a world where standing out requires more than simply releasing great music.
“The hardest part isn’t creating the art,” she reflects. “It’s making sure your voice is heard among all the noise.”
Still, she sees opportunity where others see obstacles. Streaming has expanded her reach beyond South Africa, while social media has allowed her to build genuine relationships with listeners who connect with her story as much as her songs.
“In an age of infinite content, genuine connection is what truly differentiates an artist.”
As Women’s Month celebrates women rewriting narratives and breaking barriers, Gemma Fassie embodies a new generation of South African artists who are choosing authenticity over expectation. She carries one of the country’s most iconic surnames with pride, but she is equally determined to ensure audiences remember something else.
Not just the name – her voice.
And judging by her SAMA32 nomination, our wish is for South Africa and the world to hear, listen and support her.
