WATCH Greatest South African Collaboration Ever to Honour Legendary Johnny Clegg
Johnny Clegg is a legend for South Africans – embodying the fighting spirit and vision required to create a better future for all. Inspiring each and everyone of us. To thank him for all that he has done, and continues to do, for music and for South Africa, over 50 of the country’s most popular […]
Johnny Clegg is a legend for South Africans – embodying the fighting spirit and vision required to create a better future for all. Inspiring each and everyone of us.
To thank him for all that he has done, and continues to do, for music and for South Africa, over 50 of the country’s most popular artists and international stars got together in September to record a special tribute to Johnny – a cover of his ‘The Crossing’.
The song was uploaded by singer Karen Zoid to YouTube. It features artists like Kurt Darren, Majozi, Mike Rutherford, Dave Matthews, Peter Gabriel, Craig Lucas, Johnny’s son Jesse, David Kramer, Craig Hinds and so many more.
Johnny Clegg saw it for the first time last night. He said: “I am speechless thank you so much! This is an amazing moment for me – to have so many of my peers acknowledge the song and its sentiments, and that they can use that to further something much bigger than all of us. Thank you.”
WATCH THE CROSSING – Friends of Johnny Clegg
Proceeds from downloads of this special collaboration will go to ‘Friends of Johnny Clegg‘, a fund created in Johnny’s honour through the Click Foundation (which helps young South African learners). Supporting Johnny’s passion for education, this fund will raise money to fight SA’s education crisis.
Please visit www.friendsofjohnnyclegg.com/ where you can donate or download the song.
Quotes from some of the artists taking part:
Dave Matthews: “Juluka mixed culture and music in a way that had never been done. It broke down barriers. They joined the forces working to expose the hate-filled cruelty of the old South African system. And their music is slamming.”
David Kramer: “Johnny Clegg is a great South African songwriter and innovator. A man with his own unmistakable voice and vision. It is an honour to have worked with him and call him friend.”
Zolani Mahola: “Johnny Clegg has been a figure I have looked up to since I was a small child. That a white man could find value in the things I called normality … my cultures and my norms; yes, even my black skin in a country which absolutely devalued my experience and my existence … was and still is a wonder. He was one of the first examples of embracing the dichotomy of the South African experience and I’m so happy to honour him with my fellow artists in singing this song which means so much to us all in honour of a man who means so much to all of us. I’m pleased as punch to lend my voice!”
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WATCH Johnny Clegg’s original: The Crossing
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www.friendsofjohnnyclegg.co.za – donate or download The Crossing