JERUSHA

Meet the gorgeous and multi-talented singer/song-writer Jerusha.



Born Jerusha Naidoo, she hails from the warm city of Durban, on the east coast of South Africa. After chart topping singles “Are u the one?” and “For Life” off her debut album "Got To Have It" (Universal/Mama Dance), she has established herself as a South African R&B/Pop singing sensation.



Jerusha made history as the first Indian woman to break into the mainstream music industry in South Africa. Her debut single achieved the unprecedented feat of topping radio charts for six consecutive weeks. Her debut album spawned another number one hit and earned Jerusha a large following.



She has proven to be as hot on stage as on the screen and on the airwaves. Her stage career started with Cape Town based R&B girl group “Essential”. Her solo career kicked off following an appearance on the hit reality TV series Coca-Cola Popstars. She was immediately signed by Craig McGahey of Mama Dance Music and has co-billed with the likes of Ja-Rule, Freshly Ground, Danny K, Jae, Verd, Afro Z, Bianca Le Grange,Red Angel and many other top-notch artists. She was one of two South African Acts chosen by MTV for the road-show to promote the prestigious Nelson Mandela “46664” Concert to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, a world health issue that is close to her heart. Jerusha performed in London in the SA Solidarity Festival in benefit of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.



Currently based in New York, Jerusha has set her sights on international success. Her highly anticipated forthcoming album, titled Jerushalem, has been recorded in the UK, USA, Serbia, Sweden and South Africa, working with producers who have worked with the likes of Madonna, Brittany Spears and Tom Jones. One of her songs on her new album has already been covered and released in China.



When asked to describe her latest album, Jerusha explains it was a journey of self-discovery in artistic expression. Coming from a conservative cultural background, Jerusha touches on issues of gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual expression, and abandonment; topics that are ‘hushed up’ in typical South African and Indian culture. When asked about the slightly controversial title of the album Jerushalem, she explains that her mother named her partly after the city of Jerusalem, and that her name is actually Hebrew for inheritance. “I have always found it fascinating that one city can hold such historical and religious power. Recording this album was definitely a struggle for me artistically. It has been a step in a new, bold direction. I hope people will appreciate it and see it in a positive light. The messages are simple, positive and meant to bring joy in these difficult times we live in. In addition, I hope to perform in Jerusalem one day!”



Apart from being a talented musician, Jerusha is a practicing medical doctor. She served as a military doctor in strife-torn Liberia as a member of the United Nations humanitarian effort and was chosen by Love Life (South Africa’s largest HIV/AIDS Awareness Organization) as a role model for South Africa’s youth. She featured as an icon in Love Life’s “Get Attitude” campaign. If all of this was not enough, Jerusha also presented for popular TV Magazine program Eastern Mosaic at the International Indian Film Academy Awards in Sheffield, UK.



Jerusha is donating a large percentage of her forth-coming album sales to the non-profit organization Keep A Child Alive (www.keepachildalive.org). The organization supports projects throughout Africa with a focus on children orphaned by AIDS.



She currently practices family medicine part-time in Ireland.

As a South African musician and medical doctor, Jerusha recognizes her responsibilities to her fellow South Africans and works hard to actively inspire the youth of South Africa, particularly during this time when the country is struggling to deal with the difficult problems of crime, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. “In a post-Apartheid era, many still remain dis-empowered by social apathy and low self-esteem,” she explains. “I am the eldest of three daughters of a single mother. Having grown up in the Indian township of Chatsworth, I understand the difficulties in following one’s dream, and of trying to succeed despite the doubts and struggle that are part and parcel of growing up in a disenfranchised community”.