Jeremy Loops has long been known for bringing audiences to their feet with his infectious live performances, but these days the South African singer-songwriter is also embracing a different kind of stage: fatherhood.
Embracing fatherhood
Just three months ago, Loops welcomed his daughter, Josephine. Speaking about life as a new father, he says the experience has been nothing short of transformative. In an interview with the Citizen, he said, “She smiled for the first time on Thursday,” he recalls warmly. “And the best part is, she and her mum are travelling with me. Fatherhood is the best feeling. It’s grounding, humbling, and it makes everything else, even the shows, mean more.”
The arrival of his daughter has given fresh meaning to his music and shaped the way he sees the world. For Loops, family has become the headline act.
Loops’ winding journey
Ironically, music was never the original plan. Loops studied finance and property at the University of Cape Town, a path that soon felt stifling. “Financial mathematics was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced,” he laughs. To release the pressure, he bought a guitar, practising for hours each day until songwriting became second nature.
Largely self-taught, he stumbled upon looping technology long before it was mainstream. Armed with a pedal and curiosity, he began creating layered sounds that blended reggae, rap and folk. What started as a way to escape academic stress soon became a calling.
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South Africa’s music scene had no obvious space for his eclectic style, but Loops trusted his instincts. “Rick Rubin once said you’ve got to follow your own interests first. That stuck with me. I didn’t write songs for other people. I wrote for myself and trusted that others would connect.”
They did. Today, fans from Cape Town to Berlin flock to his shows. His recent performance at Glastonbury was the largest of his career, proof that his unique sound resonates far beyond local stages.
Live connection as the heartbeat of his music
For Loops, the essence of his career lies not in awards or charts but in the connection forged during a performance. “The goal is always to take the audience on a journey. Music is an emotional release; we’re all going somewhere together, reaching that peak as one.”
That philosophy was evident when he stepped onto the Corona Sunsets stage in Muldersdrift. Greeting the crowd with a booming “Heita”, he was met with the same energy in return — a shared moment that reflected his deep love for Mzansi and the people who inspire his songs.
Though he insists his work is not political, Loops acknowledges that uniting people in a divided world is powerful in itself. “Music is unity. It’s about peace, about welcoming everyone, no matter their background. In a divided world, a show can be a place where those divisions disappear.”
This commitment to inclusivity is one of the reasons he continues to call South Africa his anchor. “Mzansi inspires me every day. The energy, the people, the stories — they’re all in my music.”
Becoming a father has sharpened his perspective on what truly matters. He reflects on the importance of supporting his partner throughout the pregnancy, being present during the journey, and cherishing the small milestones. “The best thing you can do is create a safe environment before the baby arrives. Your presence matters more than you realise. And those small moments, like the first smile, make the challenges worth it.”
With Josephine in his arms and his guitar slung over his shoulder, Jeremy Loops is embracing two roles that teach him about patience, connection and love. As the sun set over the Magaliesberg and the crowd sang back his lyrics at Corona Sunsets, it was clear that he is right where he belongs: as an artist, a father, and a proud South African voice carrying far beyond home.
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Featured Image: Instagram | jeremyloops
