MUSIC IS MY THERAPY
YOU South Africa|9 February 2023
Singer Jesse Clegg says writing songs is helping him deal with the gaping hole left after he lost both his father and partner to cancer
NOKUTHULA ZWANE-EJIKE 
MUSIC IS MY THERAPY

THE losses were staggering. First, he lost his father, beloved musician Johnny Clegg, to pancreatic cancer. Then came another devastating blow: cancer claimed the love of his life too and he was left alone to care for their infant daughter. 

Nobody would blame him for buckling under the weight of grief, but Jesse Clegg is working through the pain the only way he knows how – by putting pen to paper and pouring out his heart in song. 

The 34-year-old is making his new music when YOU catches up with him at his recording studio in his home in Dunkeld, Johannesburg. “This album came about during a chaotic period of my life,” he says. “I’m yet to determine the final theme, but I’m writing about my experiences.” 

The first single from his as-yet unnamed album is dedicated to Dani Cooperman, the mother of his child. Jesse couldn’t believe it when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, just two years after his dad died aged 66, and was heartbroken when she passed away in September last year. 

“Her soul has moved on to its next great adventure and she’s now at peace,” he said on social media. 

“She’ll be dearly missed by her family and the many lives she touched. She was the love of my life and an incredible mother to our daughter, Mylah. Her beautiful spirit lives on in her.” 

In his first interview since her passing, the singer-songwriter says Dani’s absence has left a gaping hole in his heart. His new track, Call To Hear Your Voice, is an ode to her and is filled with longing and love. 

“I wrote it while I was homesick in LA,” says Jesse, who travels between South Africa and Los Angeles where he’s expanding his career and networking with players in the music industry. 

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 9 February 2023 من YOU South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 9 February 2023 من YOU South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من YOU SOUTH AFRICA مشاهدة الكل
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
YOU South Africa

I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD

As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
YOU South Africa

'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'

A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
YOU South Africa

THE CLAWS ARE OUT!

Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William

time-read
7 mins  |
5 December 2024
SA'S TOXIC FOOD SCARE
YOU South Africa

SA'S TOXIC FOOD SCARE

R15 million for rapid testing

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
ROYAL FAMILY TURMOIL
YOU South Africa

ROYAL FAMILY TURMOIL

Prince Haakon addresses stepson's arrest on rape charges

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
BALLON IN THE BAG
YOU South Africa

BALLON IN THE BAG

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante says his Ballon d'Or win is a victory for Spanish football

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
IT WAS ALL A LIE
YOU South Africa

IT WAS ALL A LIE

A new doccie exposes the Grey's Anatomy writer who fabricated her life story

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'
YOU South Africa

'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'

After her husband, anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny, was poisoned and murdered by the Kremlin, she became the public face of Russia's opposition. In this candid interview Yulia Navalnaya opens up about life on the run, her perilous family life and why she's continuing her husband's fight to save their country

time-read
10+ mins  |
14 November 2024
AGREE TO DISAGREE
YOU South Africa

AGREE TO DISAGREE

Trevor Noah on how his childhood squabbles with his mother inspired his delightful new book

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
PAUSE THE CLOCK
YOU South Africa

PAUSE THE CLOCK

Researchers have discovered that the ageing process spikes at 44 and 60. Here's what you can do to slow it down

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024