Review done by Veronika van der Walt.
Ijay Swanepoel – known as Stephen Gawking (The Nuclear Lyricist) – is a South African musician and ambassador of hope living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2. Guided by his mantra, “My life is a portrait, and I hold the paintbrush… I’ll play a bad hand like a royal flush,” he transforms personal challenges into powerful, uplifting music. Through evocative storytelling and dynamic collaborations, Stephen’s work speaks directly to those facing adversity – whether disabled, marginalized, bullied or struggling – and demonstrates the transformative power of resilience, hope and inclusivity.
Clint Brink is a multi-award-winning South African actor, singer-songwriter, producer and media personality with over 25 years of experience. Born in the Western Cape, he first performed on stage at age five and later trained at Stellenbosch University and City Varsity. At 19, Clint landed the lead role of Shawn Jacobs on the soap opera Backstage, and went on to star in Generations, Scandal, Binnelanders and Kings of Joburg. He’s earned multiple SAFTA nominations and won Best Actor in a Soap Opera in 2021.
‘The Way’ is an inspiring new song from Stephen Gawking featuring Clint Brink, giving a powerful message of surrender and the strength that comes from a greater power. And that is exactly what the music video portrays so beautifully. His own personal story, overcoming life-threatening medical challenges, adds emotion and truth to the track.
This track is a Pop, R&B, and Amapiano fusion that captures an enlightening journey with soothing melodies, emotional lyrics, and refreshing rhythms. It starts with a beautiful piano piece with a beat added to it. Then you hear Clint Brink’s calming voice which becomes more determined with the word ‘surrender’ echoing in the distance, like being carried to you by the wind. The echo changes to ‘I had to learn to let go’ which makes you want to exhale all of your problems. Things slow down a bit just to hit again that climax of the mountain of troubles you’ve climbed but only by the grace of God.
The music video portrays this perfectly with a person in a wheelchair, falling and just lying there. He looks to the sky as if asking God for help. Miraculously he gets strength from above to drag himself into his wheelchair again. You can literally feel his desperation and it got me aching inside. You cheer him on to dig deep and keep pushing. Get that tissue box ready, if you’re an empath. It had me in tears – not tears of sadness but tears of joy, tears of relief. We’ve all had problems of our own and finally realized that you’re solutions ain’t working. The track ends with a nice African flavor to show we are all God’s children.
Another great emotional and inspiring track from Stephen Gawking. Keep fighting the good fight and inspiring others!
Clean Lyrics (English)
Rise to the top, leave them all behind
Thats what they say, thats how we climb
First place, never come last
Leave all down, crush them in your path
If I’m at the centre, can I carry that weight?
It’s all about me, wont I break?
If I hold too tight, what happens next?
If I can’t keep what I’ve amassed
And I had to learn to let go, and follow the way that is freedom
Surrender, The Way, Surrender
And I had to learn to let go, and follow the way that is freedom
All the times that you’ve been standing alone
You didn’t know this, but you didn’t need to
It’s not all about you, not all about you
Chase the gold, they say, and chase that name
Thats what they say, and that’s what we do
And that’s how we slip from the truth
There’s a place that our hearts can hide
There’s a rock that endures the tide
And the hate will come, but can you feel it?
Our peace is forever won
You can listen to ‘The Way’ here:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3icTXvboSwTlOLuD7BLzRO?si=Qm2fVU8xRpSshPBWl8AGbw
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenuclearlyricist?lang=en-GB&is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=mobile&sender_web_id=7511261154799355397
https://youtu.be/jLrpSjEb_x0?si=LFAWH8pBnOFPcP2a
And follow him on:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NuclearLyricist
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nuclearlyricist
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephengawking6821