Michael Johns and Lebo Kgasapane - River Of Life
April 20, 2008
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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 
April 20th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
That is absolutely beautiful.The world will now hear from this brave young lady.Very touching and beautifully sung by Michael and Lebo.
April 20th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
OMG!OMG! OMG! Absolutely took my breath away!Why is this guy not SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIEVERED?
April 20th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
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!
April 20th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
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
April 20th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
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…
April 20th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
What a beautiful video ..thank-you so much for sharing!!
April 20th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
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.
April 20th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
This should be recorded with Dolly
April 20th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
just beautiful! i want the audio for my iPod!!!!
April 20th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
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!!!!!!
April 20th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
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!!!!!!!
April 20th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
A Must, record with Dolly, Absolutley!! Remarkable song!!
April 20th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
That.was.beautiful!
I had to play it twice. Thanks so much so posting it!
April 21st, 2008 at 1:57 am
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
April 21st, 2008 at 9:32 am
OMG!! I’m in freakin’ tears! That was unreal.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:01 am
This is a beautiful song. Thank you for finding and posting it here. How can I download it to my Ipod?
May 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
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!