There’s just something about Johnny Clegg’s music that gets the feet tapping, and no matter where one is in the world, you’re instantly transported back to South Africa.

The days of seeing Clegg live in concert have come and gone, and his farewell tour last year was a great send-off for a much-loved musician.

Clegg has been living with pancreatic cancer since 2015, and has scaled back his public appearances as such, but that hasn’t stopped some of South Africa’s finest musicians coming together for a superb tribute video that is already proving very popular.

Some details from GoodThingsGuy:

On 10 September 2018, many of South Africa’s most popular and influential artists flew into Cape Town to share their time and talent in recording their own version of Johnny Clegg’s “The Crossing” at Mothership Studios.

The song was produced by Theo Crous and mastered in Los Angeles by Lurssen, a multi Grammy award-winning studio.

In total, all of 50 artists contributed, and the list reads like a who’s who of the local music scene:

Friends of Johnny Clegg artists who collaborated on track: Abigail Kubeka, Andre Venter, Andy Mac, Anna Davel, Ard Matthews, Arno Carstens, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Corlea Botha, Craig Hinds, Craig Lucas, Dan Patlansky, Dave Matthews, David Kramer, Dorothy Masuka, Elvis Blue, Emo Adams, Francois van Coke, Franja du Plessis, Gloria Bosman, Jack Parow, Jason Hartman, Jesse Clegg , Jimmy Nevis, Juanita du Plessis, Judith Sephuma, Kahn Morbee, Karen Zoid, Karlien van Jaarsveld, Kurt Darren, Laudo Liebenberg, Lira, Majozi, Mike Rutherford, Paige Mac, Patricia Lewis, Peter Gabriel, Ross Learmonth, Somizi, Stompie Manana, Thandeka Campher, Thembeka Mnguni, Tresor, Vicky Sampson, Victor Masondo, Vusi Mahlasela, Yati Khumalo, Zolani Mahola.

The performance was not only to honour Johnny for a remarkable lifetime of achievements, but also to bring attention to, and raise funds for, a cause close to his heart.

More on that later – for now, The Crossing:

Yup, you’re getting emotional and we’ll allow it this early on a Friday.

Over to the Daily Maverick for more on that cause and the meaning behind the song:

The rearrangement and performance of Clegg’s 1993 classic, The Crossing, was recorded in Cape Town in September 2018, not only as a tribute to Clegg, but also as a kick-start to an educational fund, Friends of Johnny Clegg, to honour his “biggest passion”, education…

Said [Karen] Zoid: “I asked Johnny what song we should cover. When you cover a song it takes on a new life and a different meaning. I thought he might suggest one of his biggest hits, like Impi, but he chose The Crossing himself.”

What makes the video and the song so significant, profound and poignant is what it does not explicitly say, that Clegg our elder is growing weaker, having lived with pancreatic cancer for several years, and that soon he will have to say goodbye. He will be “crossing over those dark mountains where we will lay down our troubles”.

It is not only this gentle goodbye that threads through the song and the video but also the sheer joy, energy and celebration of Clegg’s artistry and his music and how it will always be part of South Africa’s DNA.

The video was first played to Clegg on Wednesday night, where he was performing at a private event for friends and lifelong fans in Bantry Bay.

He was understandably stoked:

“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.”

So here’s the deal – you will find everything you need to know about Friends of Johnny Clegg (like how to donate, sponsor and get involved) on their website.

If you’ve ever tapped your feet along, or sung your heart out in the small hours of the morning after a few too many toots, maybe now is the time to give a little back.

[sources:goodthingsguy&dailymav]