Already in his youth, Johnny Clegg, a white, English-speaking person with what he called a "secular Jewish" upbringing in the UK, Israel, Rhodesia, Zambia, and South Africa, became interested in Zulu street music and took part in traditional Zulu dance competitions.
As a young man, in the early stages of his musical career, he combined his music with the study of anthropology, a subject which he also taught for a while at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where he was influenced, among others, by the work of David Webster, a social anthropologist who was assassinated in 1989.
Clegg formed the first inter-racial South African band, Juluka, with gardener and Zulu street musician Sipho Mchunu. Because it was illegal for inter-racial bands to perform in South Africa during apartheid, their first album Universal Men received no air play, but it became a word-of-mouth hit.
Juluka's / Clegg's music was both implicitly and explicitly political: not only was the fact of the success of the band (which openly celebrated African culture in a non-racial band) a thorn in the flesh of a political system based on racial separation; the band also produced some explicitly political songs. For example, the album "Work for all" (which includes a song with the same title) picked up on South African trade union slogans in the mid-80's. Even more explicit was the (later) Savuka album "Third World Child" in 1987, with songs like "Asimbonanga", which called for the release of Nelson Mandela, and which called out the names of three representative martyrs of the South African liberation struggle: Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge, and Neil Aggett.
The following albums "Shadow Man" (which sold 250 000 copies within a week after it's release went on to sell more than 1 000 000 copies in France alone)[1], and "Cruel Crazy, Beautiful World" were dealing with more romantic topics, including "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World", where a father gives a message to his son, "Dela" where the very essence of love is explored, and more politically focused songs, such as "Warsaw 1943" and "One (Hu)'man one vote" which go back to political messages. The blend of topics is somehow confusing at first but gives an idea of the creative process underlying it, while the music and lyrics retain all the talent of the singer and his band. "Third World Child" and "Shadow Man" occupied 1st and 2nd position respectively in France and became the most successful foreign band in France and "Shadow Man" topped the charts in Montreaux, Canada.[2] During the prime of the band in 1988 Michael Jackson had to cancel his show as he attracted fewer audience as compared to Johnny Clegg and Savuka.[3] Their last album "Heat Dust and Dream" was nominated for a Grammy Award for best album in the category of World Music.[4]
Juluka were able to tour in Europe, and had two platinum and five gold albums, becoming an international success. Juluka was disbanded in 1986, when Mchunu was asked by his father to return home and herd the family goats, although Mchunu made some solo recordings afterwards. Clegg went on to form his second inter-racial band, Savuka, continuing to blend African music with European, especially Celtic, influences.
Briefly reunited with Mchunu in the mid-90's, Clegg reformed Juluka and toured throughout the world as the opening act for King Sunny Ade, as well as headliner performances.
The name Juluka is based on the Zulu word for "sweat", and Savuka is based on the Zulu word for "we have risen" or "we have awakened".
Clegg and his band often make an international tour during May-August (South African winter). However, the tours are usually limited to France and surrounding countries. In June 2004, the Johnny Clegg Band toured North America for the first time in over eight years, doing 22 concerts in one month. Even though they had no albums for sale in North America during those eight years, and no significant media coverage, they filled most of their venues. At the close of the final concert at the Keswick Theater in Philadelphia, Clegg stated that he was amazed at the reception they had gotten, and promised to return the following year with a full band. He then thanked his Internet fans for their support.
The band returned to North America in July 2005, with dates booked throughout the U.S. and Canada. Clegg's new album One Life was remixed at Real World Studios in Bath, England, and released on October 30th, 2006 in the UK.
In 2004 he was voted 23rd in the SABC3's Great South Africans.
Africa
Johnny Clegg & Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Hlala
Hlala
He was born in the African dawn
So gentle in the eye he was
As any woman's child
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Hlala
Hlala
As he grew people told him son
Don't you trust anyone
You learn how to trust a stone
This is not gentle and then it breaks those
Who never learned how to be alone
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Hlala
Hlala
And so he walked in the fashion of his lands
Until at last he cried out
Can anybody hear me, hear me
Hear the song in my heart
There's a song to be sung that can heal these broken men
Let us sing and we'll walk through the dark
Hand in hand
Hand in hand
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Hlala
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
The song "Africa" by Johnny Clegg and Juluka is a powerful anthem that represents the strength and resilience of the African people despite years of political turmoil and hardship. The lyrics speak to the pain and struggle that the African people have faced for generations, as well as their unyielding spirit and their ability to find hope and joy in the face of adversity.
The chorus of the song, which repeats throughout the track, translates to "Africa is crying for holy men", suggesting that the continent is in desperate need of leaders who can help guide its people through troubled times. The verses of the song then tell the story of a young African boy who grows up in a world where trust is hard to come by, but who ultimately finds his voice and discovers that he can use his music to bring people together.
The final verse of the song is particularly poignant, as it encourages people to come together and support one another, even in the darkest times. The lyrics "let us sing and we'll walk through the dark, hand in hand" suggest that by working together and finding strength in unity, the African people can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Overall, "Africa" is a hopeful and inspiring song that celebrates the unique culture and spirit of the African people, while also acknowledging the difficulties that they have faced and continue to face.
Line by Line Meaning
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Oh Africa, the holy ones cry out
E Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Oh Africa, the holy ones cry out to you
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Africa, the holy ones cry out
Hlala
Stay
He was born in the African dawn
He came into this world in the early morning light of Africa
And orphaned to the land
He was left alone with the land as his only family
So gentle in the eye he was
He had a softness in his gaze
As any woman's child
Like a child of any mother
As he grew people told him son
As he matured, others cautioned him
Don't you trust anyone
Do not put your trust in anyone else
You learn how to trust a stone
You must learn to place your trust in something solid like a stone
This is not gentle and then it breaks those
This path is not easy and can break those who do not learn how to be alone
Who never learned how to be alone
Those who never learned how to be self-sufficient
And so he walked in the fashion of his lands
He walked in the footsteps of his ancestors
Until at last he cried out
Until he finally spoke out in desperation
Can anybody hear me, hear me
Does anyone hear my voice?
Hear the song in my heart
Do you hear the melody in my heart?
There's a song to be sung that can heal these broken men
There is a song that can mend the broken souls of men
Let us sing and we'll walk through the dark
Let us sing and move forward even in the absence of light
Hand in hand
Together
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Africa, the holy ones cry out
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Africa, the holy ones cry out to you
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Africa, the holy ones cry out
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Africa, the holy ones cry out to you
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Africa, the holy ones cry out
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Africa, the holy ones cry out to you
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Africa, the holy ones cry out
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Africa, the holy ones cry out to you
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Africa, the holy ones cry out
Afrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Africa, the holy ones cry out to you
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Calixto Antonio Ochoa Ocampo, Wilfrido Carmelo Martinez Mattos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevenrossy9398
Bought this album while at US Army Airborne School the summer of 1992 and it changed my life.
@jende8652
My heart is opened every time I hear this song... Viva Mama Afrika xox
@hasielove
legend....an absolute legend. still missed.
@neilw259
One of his best songs
@ArielBerdugo
Proud of you Johnny, proud.
@DickMullen
RIP old son xx
@edwardsrsa
africa is crying today RIP a true legend
@thapeloradebe507
RIP Johnny
@andilelangelihle8477
this song reminds me of my late uncle(RIP)...Good music by
@lincolnseoloane5506
Beautiful tune