SA’s Jerusha releases ‘Blesser’ single

Hot off the success of her SAMA nominated Best Pop Album Jerushalem, Jerusha returns with a single that not only aims to catapult her straight back into the charts but also to spread a powerful message about a controversial topic that Jerusha feels very strongly about.

‘Blesser’ was co-written by Carla Diamond, Elise "Black Athena" Fernandez and Leaveil Eaton. It was recorded in Cape Town by Leaveil Eaton from Brotherhood Productions. Eaton, best known as Vally, has worked with Jerusha on the previous track ‘For Life’ which charted at number one on East Coast Radio and in the top 10 chat on many regional stations notably Heart FM.

With a long and successful journey in the South African music industry, ‘Blesser’ is her first material in six years. Jerusha, a trained medical doctor, took a break from music to complete medical licensing examinations in the U.S where she did residency training in Internal Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

On the meaning of ‘Blesser’, Jerusha said in a statement, “A blesser is a South African colloquialism for what many western societies refer to as a "sugar-daddy". It is used to describe a situation where an affluent or wealthy older man "keeps" a younger woman as an intimate companion, but not necessarily as an equal partner, more for sexual favors.”

“I wasn't going for pretty, I was going for strength. This is a bold step in a new direction for me artistically and creatively with a powerful message for women.”

According to Jerusha, the lyrics of the song are meant to create an image of a woman as her own blesser, independent, free, bold and powerful enough to take care of herself. The controversial concept and lyrics are meant to be provocative, but not run of the mill.

Jerusha added, “I am strongly against the "Blesser" mentality and hope to inspire women to ‘bless themselves’ with this first single off my next album.”

The relationship is based on a mutual understanding that the wealthy man will provide the young woman with material and monetary support in return for her willingness to sexually please the man. The term has become relevant in many countries and cultures worldwide leading to the disempowerment and exploitation of vulnerable or desperate women.

With the release of ‘Blesser’, Jerusha hopes to convey a strong message to women - strength, courage, and perseverance.

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