RASCOE: Do you see any parallels between the struggles for racial justice in South Africa and the struggles for racial justice in the United States?īUTLER: Well, to be Black is to be Black. That's what I'm trying to convey through the song, you know? With the song, I'm trying to send that message that what matters to you matters to me. You wouldn't want that thing to happen to that person. That's why ubuntu is a movement towards a humanity state of mind where you see yourself in others. And you can't forget that - like me, as a kid growing up poor under apartheid and singing in white clubs and whites-only establishments and stuff like that. And if we can address what's within us, you know, I mean, what happened to George Floyd - something happened to all of us. And we should have messages that can speak of the times that we're living in. What does that mean?īUTLER: That there are blind spots in white society when it comes to white privilege, racism, segregation, prejudice. RASCOE: In this song, you have the lyrics, if we look within, we won't go without in this house. You know, therefore, songs like "Our Voices Matter" was actually written and inspired by George Floyd.īUTLER: (Singing) Our voices matter. And during the pandemic, the killing of George Floyd triggered so many different emotions and different feelings and fears that I had growing up.
And you know, I found my truth in ubuntu as well, you know, because I live in the United States. RASCOE: You're talking about Nelson Mandela, just for.īUTLER: Yes.
You know, he never - he addressed them like human beings, even though he was incarcerated. It's really interesting because when Madiba came out of prison, even the prison guards were people that he showed his humanity to. It's the humanity towards others that matters even in the face of apartheid, even in the face of racism, the wickedness and stuff, the hardships that we've seen.īUTLER: (Singing) All of us affirmation, fountains of fire, holy survivors. RASCOE: Ubuntu - it's a school of Zulu philosophy, right? Can you talk to me about what that meaning is? And that's the name of your album.īUTLER: To show humanity to your brother is what ubuntu in South Africa meant. As I was growing up, I began to realize that, you know, I'm a boy from the Cape Flats in Cape Town, and I have my own vocal sound that I needed to develop.īUTLER: (Singing) From the place you meet your very edge, your thoughts held together all alone. Those are all people that kind of helped us kind of find the strength to write our own music because under the apartheid system, you know, our music was not played on the radio.
If it's McCoy Tyner, if it's Herbie, if it's George Benson, if it's Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack. So whoever had electricity, we would go there, and we'd go listen to the music. Tell me about growing up in South Africa, and then how does that come to play on this album?īUTLER: Well, you know, in South Africa, we had vinyl records, you know, and a lot of our homes never had electricity. And Stevie pulled out one of his harmonicas, and he began to play on the record. Long story short, we kept the conversation going, and he said, meet me at my studios. And Stevie Wonder - I always dreamt and imagined what it'd be like to actually meet him in person. You know, in South Africa, we didn't grow up with music school. Like, what was that like to get a message from him? Because this is someone who you've always looked up to.īUTLER: It's very surreal to me still. Welcome to the show.īUTLER: Oh, I'm so excited to be on your show this morning. RASCOE: Jonathan Butler joins us now from Los Angeles. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SUPERWOMAN (WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU)")īUTLER: (Singing) But tomorrow will reflect love's past. It's called "Ubuntu," and it begins with a tribute to his hero, covering Wonder's 1972 song "Superwoman." The South African musician has just released his 28th album. RASCOE: Jonathan Butler, who's been inspired by Wonder for years, was thrilled. And he said, you know, I would love to give you a gift.
JONATHAN BUTLER: I heard his voice say, Jonathan, this is Stevie. It's not every day that you wake up to a message from Stevie Wonder.
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