Before his death‚ music legend Hugh Masekela left Don Laka with a special gift and a song to complete‚ the star revealed to TshisaLIVE.
It has been nearly two months since Hugh died at his Johannesburg home after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Prior to his death‚ Hugh had been excited about a collaboration with producer and musician Don Laka — an idea that was hatched 15 years ago.
“I had an idea 15 years ago of Bra Hugh working with a choir and him not singing but just playing the trumpet. We worked on the idea and eventually I laid down the material. The song was 98% done when Hugh died. I feel like it is his gift to me‚” Don told TshisaLIVE.
He posted a snippet of the song on social media‚ where Hugh’s trumpet can be heard rising triumphantly over the choir.
>https://www.facebook.com/527258370/videos/10155683992538371/Don plans to complete and release the project to fans when he feels both he and Hugh’s family are strong enough to hear the final version.
“I am taking a bit of time to work on it. I am giving the family time to heal‚ and myself as well. It is an incredible project and people will get to hear Bra Hugh in a different setting to what they know him for.”
He described Hugh as “an incredible man“‚ who never thought of himself as a superstar.
“He never got in my way. He trusted me as a producer. He would not argue or ask questions. It was humbling that a man who had worked in the industry around the world for decades would trust a young man like me.”