Johnny Clegg’s rhythm still beats in the heart of South Africa, and a powerful new music video has arrived to prove that his legacy will never fade.
The official music video for “Great Heart” has just dropped, offering a breathtaking first glimpse into the highly anticipated “Scatterlings” project spearheaded by Jesse Clegg and fellow musician Msaki.
Originally released in 1987 by the late Johnny, the iconic hit has now been beautifully reimagined by his son, Jesse.
“Great Heart” stands out as the sole track on the album to feature both father and son.
For Jesse, the song is deeply woven into the fabric of his childhood and his final memories with his father on stage.
“When my dad did his final tour, this was the song that we performed together. I have so many wonderful memories of singing and dancing with him on stage. I’m grateful we had that experience together,” said Jesse.
Rather than trying to outdo a masterpiece, Jesse said he approached the track with deep respect, aiming to infuse it with his own modern artistry while preserving its life-affirming energy.
“I feel very connected to it. ‘Great Heart’ is such a beautiful song. It’s not something I wanted to improve on, but rather add my own artistry to it for a modern take.”
To elevate the release, the music video was filmed against the sweeping, majestic backdrop of the Drakensberg mountains, a location that perfectly mirrors the raw beauty and deep history of South Africa itself.
Taking to Instagram, Jesse wrote: “Filmed in the beautiful Drakensberg mountains, a place that reflects both the beauty and history of South Africa. It was a thrill to film this in such a special location in honour of a song that holds such a meaningful place in our culture.”
The “Scatterlings” project and festival
Serving as a soul-stirring celebration of Johnny’s contribution to our cultural DNA, the “Scatterlings” project isn’t just a standard tribute album. It is a profound reimagining of his timeless catalogue by a powerhouse line-up of South Africa’s finest musicians.
Sonic visionaries like Sjava, Sun-El Musician, Msaki, Tresor and Zolani Mahola are all coming together to breathe fresh life into songs that defined the sound and spirit of a transitioning nation.
Curated and conceptualised by Jesse alongside Msaki, this project has been a labour of love for years.
It’s a deliberate effort to introduce Johnny’s fearless spirit to a whole new generation of listeners.
“When someone you’re close to passes away, you feel the sense that you want to celebrate them and bring their voice back, bring their perspective back. I think my dad was such a unique person and had an incredible impact on South Africa that it felt so beautiful to do that through music and through a whole new generation of musicians.”
The momentum built by this emotional release will culminate in the highly anticipated Scatterlings Music Festival on August 1 at Huddle Park, where these incredible artists will bring this collective magic to the live stage.
On Thursday, July 2, Jesse and Msaki also announced that the Scatterlings Music Festival will make its debut on July 18 in London at Trafalgar Square, as part of the Mandela Day celebrations.
