Two remarkable South African artists – Ijay Swanepoel (professionally known as Stephen Gawking, The Nuclear Lyricist) and acclaimed actor-musician Clint Brink – have joined forces on a powerful new single, ‘The Way’.
For Stephen, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy type 2, every note is a testament to resilience and divine strength. Clint Brink, with over 25 years in entertainment, lends his dynamic artistry to amplify this stirring soul-pop-R&B-amapiano fusion. More than just a song, ‘The Way’ is their shared testimony of surrender, faith and hope.
In this in-depth interview, we explore their personal journeys, the genesis of this collaboration and the message they hope will move listeners worldwide.
EXPRESSION AFRICA: Stephen, take us back to your first encounter with music. How did growing up with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 influence not only your accessibility to music but also your determination to use it as a platform for hope?
STEPHEN GAWKING: Music has always been part of my life, even before I fully understood its power. Growing up with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 meant I experienced the world differently – physically limited, yes, but also forced to look inward far earlier than most children. I couldn’t run around like others, but I could feel. And music became this channel – a space where I could move without moving, express without needing words.
It wasn’t just music, but storytelling in all its forms –TV, film, videogames – all offered escape and inspiration. Those stories pulled me out of isolation and sparked a deep passion. They showed me that imagination could transcend physical limitations. Over time, I realised these creative mediums are connected; they all tell stories that move, heal and challenge people.
Accessibility hasn’t always been straightforward. Many traditional routes to learning or creating weren’t built with someone like me in mind. While I don’t possess the technical expertise of my co-producer, Bobby Johnson, I’ve embraced collaboration. I need people around me who know more than I do. Better art is made by being open, learning and growing through others’ strengths. It’s not about ego; it’s about serving the song and the story.
Gradually, music became more than an outlet – it became a calling. I saw how it could lift me from dark places, and I felt compelled to use that gift to give others hope. I believe God gave me this life not for pity, but for purpose. Through music and storytelling, I’ve turned what some might see as weakness into a platform for strength, encouragement and faith.
Clint, you’ve achieved acclaim on screen and on stage over 25 years. What aspects of Stephen’s story – his resilience, his faith, his artistry – resonated most deeply with you and motivated you to lend your voice to this project?
CLINT BRINK: When I asked God to open my eyes to heavenly insight and wisdom, He granted me discernment to see beyond the natural reality. After releasing two singles in 2023, I prayed God would show me where He wanted my gift to operate most impactfully. ‘The Way’ was His answer. The connections, the process and the timing felt like a divine appointment. Ijay’s story – and above all his heart – revealed a fighting spirit rooted in God’s promises and Word that both inspired and humbled me. The song, in essence, found me, and I was obedient.
Stephen, ‘The Way’ was co-produced by you and Bobby Johnson. How did your intense personal trials shape the song’s lyrics, arrangement and emotional arc?
STEPHEN GAWKING: ‘The Way’ is, without question, the most personal song I’ve ever written. Every lyric came from deep pain, reflection and, ultimately, transformation. When we began this track, I had just endured the most traumatic experience of my life – an adverse reaction to a medical treatment that left me unable to eat or drink. Hospitalised on feeding tubes, I came dangerously close to not surviving. Before that, I believed I had to prove myself – the smartest, the strongest, the most capable, especially because of my disability. I thought sheer will and ambition could carry me.
The first verse captures that drive; “Rise to the top, leave them all behind”. That was my attitude for years. But when everything fell apart, I faced the reality that I couldn’t bear life’s weight alone. Broken and helpless, I discovered grace in my weakness.
The chorus reflects that shift: “And I had to learn to let go and follow the way that is freedom. Surrender the way”. “Surrender” became everything! I realised Jesus wasn’t calling me to perform or impress, but to lay it all down and trust.
Bobby Johnson understood this song wasn’t merely about instruments or dynamics; it was a spiritual journey. The arrangement mirrors that arc – starting with intense, driven energy before opening into a liberating surrender.
The second verse speaks to the lie I once believed: “Chase the gold, they say. That’s how we slip from truth”. Chasing success couldn’t heal the pain; only Jesus could. Ultimately, ‘The Way’ is about laying down ego and fight to find real peace in Christ.
Clint, as the featured vocalist on this track steeped in spiritual testimony, how did you approach interpreting Stephen’s lyrics and infusing your own musical sensibilities while honouring the song’s message of surrender and divine strength?
CLINT BRINK: Rather than focus purely on musicality, I centred on the intention and healing message. I sang from a raw, honest place because that authenticity best represents the song’s heart.
Stephen, the song has some references to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and Matthew 16:24-25. In what ways do these scriptures serve as a blueprint for your creative process, and how do you balance artistic expression with theological depth?
STEPHEN GAWKING: Those Scriptures weren’t quoted verbatim in the lyrics, but they were the spiritual backbone of ‘The Way’. They acted as a mirror for my own journey, helping me interpret my experience through God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” confronted me with the truth that I couldn’t power through life on my own strength. Matthew 16:24-25 “Deny yourself … take up your cross … lose your life to find it” echoed exactly what I lived. These verses weren’t merely academic to me; they became reality, shaping each line and melody.
Balancing artistry with theology means being authentic first. I trust that real, honest storytelling allows the Gospel to shine through. I’m not trying to preach; I’m sharing my truth. In that way, ‘The Way’ doesn’t simply quote Scripture – it embodies it.
Clint, collaborating with an artist whose mission is ministry through music must carry unique responsibilities. What moments during the recording or songwriting sessions challenged you to engage more deeply with the song’s spiritual themes?
CLINT BRINK: Thankfully, there were no major obstacles – Ijay, Bobby and I share the same love for Christ, so our collaboration flowed naturally from one moment to the next.
Stephen, you describe a hospital-bed revelation when you lost the ability to eat and drink, feeling utterly powerless. How did that transformative experience become the emotional centrepiece of ‘The Way’, and what was it like translating that vulnerability into melody?
STEPHEN GAWKING: Losing even the basic ability to eat or drink drove home my total dependence on others. In that powerless, malnourished state, I lay in a hospital bed thinking, “This might be the end.” Yet in that darkness, I realised I never truly had control. Years of striving alone couldn’t save me.
That moment of complete surrender – ‘I had to learn to let go’ – became the heart of the song. I approached Bobby with my raw testimony and concept lyrics; he then crafted melodies and arrangements that mirrored my journey from tension to release. The result is a song I pray speaks to anyone who feels they’ve reached their limit – because that’s precisely where ‘The Way’ begins.
Clint, many of your fans may not yet know the depth of Stephen’s journey. When listeners first hear ‘The Way’, what reaction or reflection do you hope it sparks in them – both musically and spiritually?
CLINT BRINK: I believe the music itself speaks volumes. The driving beat and memorable hook invite listeners to sing along, sharing words of wisdom and goodwill. Music is energy, vibration and frequency; used rightly, it can reshape our reality.
Stephen, beyond releasing the single, how do you plan to carry the song’s message forward – through live performances, speaking engagements, or community outreach – to continue inspiring those facing their own battles?
STEPHEN GAWKING: ‘The Way’ isn’t just a song; it’s my testimony, and I’m committed to sharing it widely. Through speaking engagements, interviews, written articles and community events, I aim to meet people where they are and offer genuine hope. My goal is to be real about my journey – to point others toward peace and purpose. I’ll also continue writing and releasing music, God willing, so this mission of lifting hearts never ends.
Clint, finally, what advice would you offer to fellow artists about courageously sharing vulnerable stories and using their platforms to champion messages of faith and resilience, as you and Stephen have done with ‘The Way’?
CLINT BRINK: The time for truth, authenticity, boldness in love and hope is now. We must use our gifts and our lives to inspire and uplift one another.
‘The Way’ stands as more than a genre-blending anthem – it’s a bridge between two powerful voices, each committed to sharing a message of hope, faith, and authentic strength. Through Stephen Gawking’s unwavering testimony and Clint Brink’s seasoned artistry, this collaboration invites listeners to embrace vulnerability, surrender pride, and discover a freedom that transcends circumstance. Both artists hope their story will resonate far beyond the airwaves, inspiring every person who needs a reminder that true strength is found not within us, but in something greater.
