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SA: 50 artists record song for Johnny Clegg

7 déc 2018 - 15:22

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

A group of about 50 African and international artists this week released a song in tribute of South African musician Johnny Clegg, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.

South African singer Johnny Clegg. Photo: Le Parisien

The song is a remake of ‘The Crossing’ off Clegg’s Heat, Dust and Dreams album released in 1993. The song was also intended to launch the artist’s educational fund – Friends of Johnny Clegg, to honour his passion for education. All proceeds from the single will go towards primary school education.

The song was released this week. It was recorded in Cape Town and features well-known South African musicians and celebrities including Abigail Kubeka, Dorothy Masuka, Judith Sephuma, Somizi, Karen Zoid, Craig Lucas, Dan Patlansky, Lira, Vicky Sampson, Victor Masondo, Zolani Mahola, David Kramer, Vusi Mahlasela, Jack Parow, Arno Carstens, Emo Adams and others. Clegg’s son, Jesse, also sings on the song.

International artists who were part of the impressive project include Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford and Dave Matthews.

By the time of writing, the video for the song had amassed more than 166 833 views on YouTube. The song also claimed top position on iTunes South Africa on the day of its release. About R65 000 was raised in a day and Apple channelled all the royalties and downloads to the fund.

"I am very honoured to pay tribute to a South African great," Lira told Tshisa Live. "He is one of our biggest superstars and it was amazing to be part of something that honours him like this. The mood during recording was awesome. There was a respect and camaraderie among us. A real unity."