jonathan butler – singing for a better day
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photo by steed media service
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Gospel/Jazz Artist, A Brand New Day
Jonathan Butler was once oblivious to the vile effects of apartheid. As
a child growing up in rural Cape Town, South Africa, Butler didnÕt
realize that there was a racial disadvantage until he visited the city
and noticed that every building had signs that separated blacks from
whites. Despite the overt inhumanity that was taking place in his
country, Butler continued to pursue his love of music and has since
become one of the most prominent voices to emerge from South Africa.
Throughout his 22-year music career, Butler has released 17 albums and
garnered worldwide acclaim and numerous awards. He was also the first
black artist to receive airtime on all-white radio stations in South
Africa. But even with his musical success, Butler wasn’t immune to the
legalized racism in his country.
There was a time in South Africa when a black man could be sentenced to
five years for dating a white woman, says Butler. When I won the Sarie
Award, the TV station blacked out the program. They didn’t want to show
the white woman kissing me as I got the award.
While apartheid has since been abolished, Butler continues to make
socially conscious songs and his recent album, A Brand New Day, is an
inspirational journey that reflects on the importance of spirituality.
A Brand New Day is the answer to the troubles that we face in life, he
says. Even if things are bad today, it will be better tomorrow. Every
song has a personal meaning to me. It’s all about [uplifting] Christ. –
amir shaw
