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. 

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 9 February 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 9 February 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS YOU SOUTH AFRICAAlle anzeigen
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 Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
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+ Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
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 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
MPOOMY ON TOP
YOU South Africa

MPOOMY ON TOP

We chat to SA's most popular female podcaster about love, loss and her booming success

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME
YOU South Africa

MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME

Tinus Drotské says his sibling, ex Bok Nǎka, is the victim in the brawl with a neighbour that landed up in court

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
MATT THE RECLUSE
YOU South Africa

MATT THE RECLUSE

A year after his friend's tragic death, the actor continues to shun the spotlight

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
A LEAP OF FAITH
YOU South Africa

A LEAP OF FAITH

After her husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute she thought she'd never trust a man again-but now she's found love

time-read
5 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
THEY'RE MY KIDS!
YOU South Africa

THEY'RE MY KIDS!

This West Coast woman treats her monkeys as iftheyre humans and animal activists are not happy about it

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024