“Who is Stephen Gawking?” To answer that question, you need to be introduced to Ijay Swanepoel. He’s a gem of a person and he deals with his severe disability by fighting the good fight.
Ijay 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 the late theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking).
Here are 19 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Stephen Gawking, The Nuclear Lyricist
1. He’s a very patriotic and proud South African! He loves everything that is South African because it’s a beautiful melting pot of people and cultures, and there is just no other place like it. He’s proudly South African and here to stay!
2. His main inspiration for starting his music project Stephen Gawking, The Nuclear Lyricist, was Lil Dicky and his whole vibe, after seeing him on Sway’s Shade 45.
3. His music project was initially going to be more of a satirical project, much like The Lonely Island. However, he decided to use his music to motivate and inspire.
4. One of Stephen Gawking’s other passion projects is a supernatural comic book with a South African flavour called The Missionaries.
5. He also has a massive passion for animation in general. He would eventually like for all his music videos to be animated.
6. Stephen Gawking is a massive rugby fan, especially South African rugby. Bulls for life!
7. He’s also a cannabis user and enthusiast.
8. Stephen Gawking writes or conceptualises most of his songs when he’s on cannabis.
9. He’s an Avon man, meaning he sells Avon.
10. He plays Online Chess whenever he’s stressed out or needs to strategise about something.
11. Stephen Gawking was born in Benoni, Gauteng.
12. He grew up on a farm just outside Leandra, Mpumalanga.
13. He currently resides in Ballito, KZN.
14. Before pursuing music, TV and film were his first love.
15. When he’s feeling down, binge-watching series or movies serves as therapy for him.
16. His favourite series of all time is Peaky Blinders.
17. Stephen is a general knowledge quiz fanatic.
18. He has recently developed an interest in psychology and philosophy.
19. Stoicism resonates deeply with him, making it his favourite philosophy.
Well, there you have it. I would like to thank Stephen Gawking, The Nuclear Lyricist for providing us with these facts. If you’re not familiar with his work, crank up ‘Cheslin Kolbe In An Office Cubicle’ below:
Aewon Wolf & Nathan Blur Recently Collaborated with Stephen Gawking to Challenge Mental Health Stigma – their colab is entitled “Demons and Disorders”
Watch this space for updates in the People category on Interesting Facts.
Want some music recommendations? Check out Henno's Howlin' Good Song Picks for July 2024 on Running Wolf's Rant.
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