Michael Johns and Lebo Kgasapane – River Of Life
April 20, 2008
This is a fan made video posted on our boards by “Gonia”. Apparently, this beautiful song from Michael’s pre-idol days has been floating around the MJ fandom for a couple of weeks now but it’s new to us so it needs to be posted.
I found this bit of info on Lebo after do some Google research. If you would like to add more please leave a comment on this post.
Lebo Kgasapane was a 21 year old South African rape victim who died of AIDS at the young age of 22. Her dying wish was to sing on a CD the world would hear. Leaving only a 60 second audio cassette behind, her wish is coming true.
Absolutely beautiful.
UPDATED MJO reader and commenter, BeckEye left this information she found about the song.
Here is a little more info from Missfodus Publishing/Jeff Foxworth’s MySpace blog:
Friday, November 17, 2006
“River of Life” song info
Category: MusicLebo Kgasapane was a student at the Ithuteng Trust in Soweto, South Africa. She contracted the AIDS virus at a young age and lost her battle at when she was only 22. Lebo was a singer with a beautiful voice, and her dream was to have the world hear her sing. One day during the making of the film “Ithuteng: Never Stop Learning”, Lebo sang a song she wrote about her school to the filmmakers of “Ithuteng”. The filmmakers then took the song and began passing it along to different artists for them to do their own interpretation of the song. This is one such version of the song.
Song Credits:
written by Lebo Kgasapane, Michael Johns and Jeff Foxworth
Vocals: Michael and Lebo
Guitars and Piano: Jeff
recording, engineering and bass: Rye Randa
drums: Randy Cooke recorded at:Woodcliff Studio
additional vocals: Kara Britz and The Dorsey High School Choir
Posted in Fan Creations, Music, Pre-Idol
Tags: lebo kgasapane, river of life
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That is absolutely beautiful.The world will now hear from this brave young lady.Very touching and beautifully sung by Michael and Lebo.
OMG!OMG! OMG! Absolutely took my breath away!Why is this guy not SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIEVERED?
This is awesome … such a touching video and such a beautiful voice with such a wide range. I am still livid that he is no longer on Idol, but I hope his career skyrockets!
Wow that is so amazing!! It almost brought me to tears — I wish more people knew about this and it makes me love him even more! Thanks for finding this and sharing it
Absolutely beautiful, Michael. You have so much talent, and so much to give. Thanks, for all your performances, and your attitudes, and your heart… Hugs from Argentina…
What a beautiful video ..thank-you so much for sharing!!
Thank you Michael for doing this musical video, it is so beautiful! This video should be spread around the world as it carries such a great message. I hope you and your beautiful voice are given the chance to make our world a more pleasant place to live in.
This should be recorded with Dolly
just beautiful! i want the audio for my iPod!!!!
OMG, Why are we just now hearing this! I am just floored! I am still shocked that this beautiful voice and man was voted off (Yeah, right, I am no fool) Al. get this man a record deal,NOW!!!!!!
YES, YES, YES, RECORD WITH DOLLY!!!!!!!!!! YES, YES,YES, And sing next year on Idol Gives Back, That would be such a HOOT!!!!!!
ABSOLUTLEY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU, SO MUCH FOR THIS SONG AND VIDEO!!!!!!!
A Must, record with Dolly, Absolutley!! Remarkable song!!
That.was.beautiful!
I had to play it twice. Thanks so much so posting it!
What a beautiful song! Michael co-wrote.
Here is a little more info from Missfodus Publishing/Jeff Foxworth’s MySpace blog:
Friday, November 17, 2006
“River of Life” song info
Category: Music
Lebo Kgasapane was a student at the Ithuteng Trust in Soweto, South Africa. She contracted the AIDS virus at a young age and lost her battle at when she was only 22. Lebo was a singer with a beautiful voice, and her dream was to have the world hear her sing. One day during the making of the film “Ithuteng: Never Stop Learning”, Lebo sang a song she wrote about her school to the filmmakers of “Ithuteng”. The filmmakers then took the song and began passing it along to different artists for them to do their own interpretation of the song. This is one such version of the song.
Song Credits:
written by Lebo Kgasapane, Michael Johns and Jeff Foxworth
Vocals: Michael and Lebo
Guitars and Piano: Jeff
recording, engineering and bass: Rye Randa
drums: Randy Cooke recorded at:Woodcliff Studio
additional vocals: Kara Britz and The Dorsey High School Choir
OMG!! I’m in freakin’ tears! That was unreal.
This is a beautiful song. Thank you for finding and posting it here. How can I download it to my Ipod?
OMG I am livid this man did not stay in the top 3 He was so deserving of this spot ! Idol viewers just watch, this man is gonna make it big time and I cant wait ! Get him a Record Deal, I am sold already!
This is Mrs. Mponeng Kgasapane, Lebo Kgasapane’s mother leaving in South Africa.
It is true that Lebo died of AIDS. If you receive this message please call me on this cell phone number ( 0728056117) . I am very much concerned about the information and comments as I read from your fans.
NB: PLEASE LET’S TALK AS PARENTS AND GO DEEPER IN THIS MATTER AS LEBO HAS LEFT A 10 YEAR OLD SON BEHIND.
HOPE THAT MY PLEA WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION
YOURS FAITHFULLY
MRS. MPONENG KGASAPANE